The Zaili Alatau belongs to the northern ridge of the Tien Shan mountain range. The mountains were given the name "Alatau" ("colourful") by nomadic Kazakh tribes and called "Zaili" ("beyond the Ili river") by the notable Russian scholar and explorer Semyonov-Tianshansky. The mountains began forming 12 million years ago and have continued to grow over the last million years. They rise by 5 mm annually.
    The range extends for 380 km from west to east, with the highest peaks found in the centre. There is an entire 130-km-long ridge which is over 4,000 metres above sea level and includes 22 peaks higher than 1,500 metres. The tallest peak in the Zaili Alatau is the molar-shaped Talgar(5,017 m), which is visible from Almaty. Talgar is nigher than Mont Blanc, Europe's highest peak, and to have climbed it is considered a major achievement for any mountaineer. The ascent generally takes three days. Talgar is surrounded by many other splendid peaks: Konstitutsiya (4,580 m), Kantbastau (Sugar-head) (4,647 m), Muztau (Icy Mountain) (4,555 m),Bogatyr (4,626 m), Kopar (4,760 m), Aktau (White Mountain) (4,760 m), Metallurg (4,800 m) and others. There are massive glaciers south of the peaks such as Korzhenevsky (11 km long) and Bogatyr (9.5 km long), which can only be reached by helicopter or with a guide. Since this area is part of the Almaty nature reserve, a special permit is required to visit it. The reserve protects the natural habitat of the snow leopard and many other animals including deer, eagles, arkhars (mountain sheep) mdjeirans (gazelles). There is a small nature museum at Talgar with an impressive collection of stuffed birds and animals.