Nature of Aiyrtau region.

“We had not yet left the birch groves when the yellowish-gray top of Mount Syrymbet appeared above the tops of the birches. The birch groves were suddenly cut off, and we drove out into the dry steppe, which forms the base of Syrymbet.The mountain [appeared] before us in full height from top to bottom. We drove out onto some well-worn road, along which, obviously, many carts and carriages had passed. This is the road from the Presnovskaya village, which is located on the Cossack line near the city of Kurgan, to the city of Atbasar, which lies in the center of the Kyrgyz steppe.”

“In the yurt of the last Kyrgyz prince.” From a trip to Kokchetav district. G.N. Potanin. 1896.

Mount Sarymbet in Aiyrtau region.

Highest point of Sarymbet massif are two twin hills, Syrymbetskaya with a height of 373.1 meters above sea level and a higher hill located 1.5 kilometers southeast of Sarymbetskaya, with a height of 409.4 meters above sea level, located in Sarymbet valley, 1.8 kilometers south of Aiganym museum-estate, on territory of Sarymbet rural district in Aiyrtau district of North Kazakhstan region. 
The length of the mountain range is 2 kilometers. From them, a low ridge stretches several kilometers to the east, covered with green forests of various species, which stretch for more than a hundred kilometers. In the immediate vicinity, at the foot of the Syrymbet hill, in the west and north-west there are lakes Kumdykol, Zhetykol, Sulukul, Akbas and others.
Somewhat further, 16 - 22 kilometers to the southwest, south and southeast are lakes Bayantay located at an altitude of 298 meters above sea level, Saumalkol located at an altitude of 277 meters above sea level, Bolshoy Koskol located at an altitude of 254 meters above sea level.
At the foot of the mountains there is the Valikhanov family estate "Syrymbet" - a monument of wooden architecture of the 19th century, the recreated estate of the Kazakh scientist, historian, ethnographer, folklorist, traveler and educator Chokan Valikhanov.
To the south and east of the Sarymbet massif there are the Legaev Cordon tract and the Sarymbetsky forest valley. The flora and fauna represent a rare cohabitation of flora and fauna. The air here is clean, infused with pine resin, and rich in ozone.
This is a great place for relaxation and excursions. The Sarymbet mountain range is a unique natural attraction of the North Kazakhstan region. The best time to visit the mountains and surrounding areas is from May to September. 5.4 kilometers north of the Sarymbet massif there is a village of the same name in which the Chokan Valikhanov Museum is located. 
Geographic coordinates of Sarymbet Hill 1: N53°26'06 E67°59'18
Geographic coordinates of Sarymbet Hill 2: N53°25'47 E68°00'31

Climbing Mount Syrymbet...

Climbing Mount Syrymbet,
To the top of the enchanted guard,
The blind akyn made a holy vow
In performing the healing hajj.

Casting sky high head
At the abyss of the damaged edge,
I languish in hope for a string
Calling upon Allah Almighty:

"My keeper, here I come to you,
I know the world only with my soul and hands,
My keeper, how nice it would be
Write about a stone seeing this stone!

My poems are always full of people
Flowers and herbs that I don't know
And I write about happiness and misfortune
Without seeing them, only accepting them with your soul.

Playing the pensive dombra,
I heard hearts and strings.
Give me insight! Be merciful to me
Let me enjoy the light of mystery!

At least let me see people a day!
The fabulous Mecca will submit to me!
At least for a day, and then... let there be trouble!
Hear the prayers of the blind man!"

Gray-haired akyn, you have been blind for many years,
You saw with your soul, your fate is like this:
When the eyes see this light,
Your soul will fade blind.

Durnev D.

Authority and photos by
Alexander Petrov.