🗓️ Best Time to Visit Kazakhstan

✅ Best Time — April to June & September to October: Pleasant temperatures for exploring Almaty, the lakes and Charyn Canyon.

☀️ Summer — July & August: Warm to hot in Almaty and the canyon, while the mountain lakes remain cooler. Outdoor attractions are popular during this period.

❄️ Winter — November to March: Cold weather and snowfall create beautiful mountain scenery, but access to some lake and canyon areas may be limited.

💡 Tip: Temperatures vary significantly between Almaty, Charyn Canyon and the high-altitude lakes. Carry layered clothing even during warmer months.

Day 1 — Flight to Almaty

Take a flight from your city to Almaty. Arrive during the afternoon or evening, meet your driver at the airport and proceed to the hotel for check-in.

Day 2 — Almaty

Explore the following sights in Almaty:

• Kok Tobe Hill — Travel by cable car for panoramic city and mountain views.
• Almaty Central Park
• National Museum of Kazakhstan
• Independence Monument
• First President Park

Day 3 — Issyk Lake

Join a small-group tour to Issyk Lake in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. The colour of the water changes from turquoise to deep blue depending on the season.

• Issyk Lake — Admire the dramatic mountain setting and seasonal shades of the lake.
• Saki Burial Mounds — Visit the region’s largest archaeological complex of ancient burial mounds.
• Saki Museum — Discover the history and culture of the ancient Saki tribes.

Return to Almaty by late afternoon.

Day 4 — Tamgaly Tas

Enjoy a guided private day trip to Tamgaly Tas on the banks of the Ili River.

• Tamgaly Tas Petroglyphs — Explore ancient rock carvings and mysterious images of deities.
• Open-Air Buddhist Sanctuary — Discover the historic riverside site and its remarkable Buddhist imagery.
• Ili River — Take in the rugged landscape surrounding this culturally significant location.

Day 5 — Charyn Canyon & Kolsai Lake

Begin a two-day journey through the Almaty region’s most celebrated natural landscapes.

• Yellow Canyon — Also called Moon Canyon, this peaceful landscape is known for its unusual formations and otherworldly beauty.
• Charyn Canyon — Explore the Valley of Castles and its “palaces”, “towers” and “minarets”, sculpted from red Pliocene deposits.
• Red Canyon — Walk through the approximately 1.5-kilometre canyon, reaching depths of around 150 metres.
• Lower Kolsai Lake — Visit the most accessible of the Kolsai Lakes, located at an altitude of approximately 1,818 metres. Optional horse riding or boating is available.

Overnight in traditional yurt accommodation.

Day 6 — Kaindy Lake

Continue through the mountain region to the remarkable Kaindy Lake.

• Kaindy Lake — See the trunks of century-old spruce trees rising above the water. Their submerged branches and needles remain remarkably preserved by the lake’s low temperature.
• Sunken Forest — Experience one of Kazakhstan’s most distinctive and atmospheric natural landscapes.

Day 7 — Almaty City & Shymbulak

Explore Almaty and the nearby mountain resort on a guided tour:

• Shymbulak Ski Resort — Travel by cable car to Kazakhstan’s celebrated mountain resort.
• Kazakh Cuisine Lunch — Taste traditional regional flavours.
• Local Wine Tasting
• Arbat Pedestrian Street
• Ascension Cathedral
• Green Bazaar — Traditional farmers’ market

Have dinner and proceed to the airport for your return flight.

Plan Your Kazakhstan Holiday

Let Astral Trips customize this journey around your travel dates, interests and preferred pace.