Kazakhstan tours from Almaty

Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world, and most travellers only have a few days for it. The good news is that its most photographed landscapes are concentrated in the south-east, in the Almaty region — you can base yourself in one hotel in Almaty and reach a different landscape every morning, without internal flights or overnight trains.

Everything below is a day trip from Almaty, apart from the two-day Kolsai route, which includes a night in a village guest house. All tours include hotel pick-up anywhere in the city, an English-speaking local guide, a comfortable vehicle and free professional photo and video coverage.

What to see in Kazakhstan near Almaty

Charyn Canyon and the Valley of Castles

The most recognisable landscape in the country: red sandstone walls carved by the Charyn river, about four hours' drive east of Almaty. Usually combined in one day with Moon Canyon and the mountain lakes — see the Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes tour.

Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

Kolsai is a chain of alpine lakes in the Kungey Alatau range near the Kyrgyz border; Kaindy is famous for the spruce trunks still standing in its clear water after an earthquake flooded the valley. The final climb to Kaindy is done in an off-road vehicle, which is arranged as part of the trip.

Altyn-Emel National Park and the Singing Dunes

Three landscapes in one park: the striped Aktau Mountains, the volcanic Katutau rocks and a dune that hums when the sand slides. It is the longest day out of Almaty — see the Altyn-Emel tour.

Big Almaty Lake

A turquoise reservoir high in the Trans-Ili Alatau, only a couple of hours from the centre, with the Cosmostation observatory above it. The best option if you have half a day — see the Big Almaty Lake tour.

Almaty itself

The Green Bazaar, the wooden Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park, the Medeu skating rink and the view from Kok-Tobe fit into a single day on the Almaty city tour. Arriving or leaving, we also arrange an airport transfer at a fixed price.

How many days do you need?

Two days cover the essentials: one for Charyn Canyon with the lakes, one for the city. With three or four days you can add Altyn-Emel and Big Almaty Lake and see desert, alpine and urban Kazakhstan in the same trip. If you only have one free day, the Charyn and Kolsai route packs in the most.