The Ketmen Mountains are located in the Almaty Province, in the western Tien Shan. Alpine vegetation grows around. There are several hard-to-reach gorges. Many small rivers with crystal-clear water turn into scenic waterfalls. At an altitude of 3300m (11000 ft), there is a coal deposit, which functioned before the World War II. The weather in the Ketmen Mountains changes rapidly: from freezing cold to oppressive heat. In the foothills trees are blooming, while snow falls in the highlands even in summer.