Terekty Aulie Tract

Terekty Aulie Tract, located in the Karagandy Province, is shrouded in legend and spiritual beliefs; as a result, it is often visited by pilgrims and those interested in the supernatural.

The Terekty rock carvings are engraved on flat granite hills. There are two large groups of them - western and eastern, located at a distance of about 400 meters (437 yd) from each other. The western hill is visited more often due to its proximity to the parking lot, gazebos and the necropolis. The rock carvings are assumed to have been created sometime between the Bronze Age and the Middle Ages. Here you will see images of horses, camels, bulls, capricorns, argali and deer. There are also symbols of the sun and hunting scenes. To the southwest of the western hill there is a necropolis. The oldest graves, according to the signs on them, date back to the 9th-12th centuries. There are also a number of graves from the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century here. In the northwestern part of the complex there are several gazebos, a parking lot, and toilets.

Useful tips for 2020-2021

How to get there

If you are traveling here from Jezkazgan, you will have to drive about 80 km (50 mi) until you see the turn to Terekty (following a road sign). From there turn north, and drive another 10 km (6 mi). After reaching the winter camp turn left (that is, to the north-west) where you will find a spring further along the road. Drive another 400 m (437 yd) and you will see the eastern hill, and after another 750 m (820 yd) there is a parking lot at the foot of the western hill. The whole road will take about an hour to drive.

If you are driving from Karaganda, then you’ll have to cover the distance of about 450 km (280 mi) to the turn to Terekty, which will take about 5-6 hours.

Food and accommodation

If you travel independently and do not want to live in tents, then you can return to Jezkazgan (85 km – 53 mi) and spend the night in a hotel.