Excursions to Karkaraly park.

"There are several large caves in the mountains, of which the most beautiful is known as Palatki, two miles from Karkaraly. You gradually ascend a narrow granite gorge to a high mountain, where this cave is located, shaped like a huge room with a large triangular opening. Unaccustomed to it, your feet slip on the sloping rocks, and there's nothing to hold on to. Many Karkaraly residents have tried to immortalize their names in the cave by scrawling black paint on the walls, which they even carry with them up the mountain."

N. Ya. Konshin. "From Pavlodar to Karkaraly." 1901.

Photo tours to Karkaraly park.

Three Caves, or "Cave of Prehistoric Man," is located at an altitude of 955 meters above sea level in Maliksay valley, 2 kilometers north and slightly east of town of Karkaraly, in eastern part of Karkaraly Mountains, within Karkaraly National Nature Park in Karkaraly district in eastern Karaganda region.
The Three Caves are a group of small caves located within the park, attracting tourists with their natural beauty and accessibility. In the eastern Karaganda region, within the picturesque Karkaraly National Nature Park, lies a unique natural and historical monument - Three Caves, also known as the "Cave of Prehistoric Man."
Historical and archaeological significance of Three Caves.
In 1947, employees of the Karaganda Regional Museum discovered scrapers and bones of domestic animals in the Three Caves. Three rooms, measuring 35-40 square meters in total, could accommodate 10 - 12 people. Until 1947, the caves in the Maliksay tract had no specific name.
But when, during an inspection, staff from the Karaganda Regional Museum discovered scrapers and bones of domestic animals, they began to call the site a site of people from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. These caves have long attracted the attention of researchers.
Archaeological finds suggest that ancient people - hunters and gatherers - lived here. Their shelters provided protection from wind and weather, and the proximity of forest and water provided food. This is why the caves were called "primitive."
Legend of Three Caves.
A beautiful legend is associated with the caves. Long ago, an old hunter settled here with his three sons. Each of them chose one of three caves: the eldest chose the most spacious, the middle one a secluded one, and the youngest a small but bright one.
The brothers lived in harmony, hunting and helping their father. But one day, a severe drought struck these lands. The forests burned out, the game disappeared, and people began to abandon these lands. The brothers decided not to leave, but to stay and protect their homeland.
According to legend, they became three caves, and since then they have stood in the Karkaraly Mountains, protecting the land of their ancestors. Locals say that if you listen carefully in the silence, you can hear echoes of ancient voices in the caves – as if the brothers were still conversing with each other. 
A visit to Three Caves is of interest to travelers.
The path to the cave leads past the edge of the forest. It leads through the narrow Tasbulak mountain gorge with sheer walls, a stream runs along the bottom, and sparse pine trees cling to the slopes through the crevices. This is a small stone canyon made of granite slabs with three entrances to the underground.
The outer caves are small, with only 2 - 3 people barely able to fit into their niches. The central underground passage is only one meter high, but after a few steps, you can stand up straight. The right passage leads to a room with natural shelves and niches, and the left, through a low opening, leads to another chamber.
This is a large hall of sorts, with water once collecting in the center, forming a small lake. The ceiling rises 3 - 4 meters. You won't feel stuffy here even on the hottest days. Today, the Three Caves are a popular tourist attraction in the Karkaraly National Park.
It's easily accessible on foot from the town of Karkaraly: the journey takes about half an hour. The caves vary in depth and shape, each offering its own unique charm. The caves are cool inside even in hot weather, making them especially pleasant to visit in the summer.
Tourists often note the unusual acoustics: even the slightest whisper sounds louder inside the cave. A trip to the Three Caves combines nature, history, and a living legend that gives these places a special charm.
Geographic coordinates of Three Caves: N49°25'47 E75°28'36

Authority and photos by:
Alexander Petrov.