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Kazakhstan✨ 10 best things to do in Kazakhstan

Things to do in Kazakhstan

1. Explore Charyn CanyonHike the Valley of Castles, a canyon of red rock towers often compared to the Grand Canyon.
2. Swim at Kolsai and Kaindy lakesVisit turquoise mountain lakes, including Kaindy with its eerie sunken forest of spruce trunks.
3. Hike above AlmatyRide up to Shymbulak or walk to Big Almaty Lake in the Tian Shan mountains.
4. Marvel at Astana's architectureSee futuristic landmarks like the Bayterek Tower and the tent-shaped Khan Shatyr.
5. Visit the Yasawi MausoleumGaze at the giant Timurid tilework of Turkestan's UNESCO-listed shrine.
6. Taste beshbarmakTry the national dish of boiled meat and flat noodles, traditionally eaten by hand.
7. Stay in a yurtSpend a night with a nomadic family on the steppe or in the mountains.
8. See an eagle hunterWatch golden eagles fly at a falconry show or traditional festival.
9. Listen to the Singing DunesClimb a sand dune in Altyn-Emel National Park that hums when the wind blows.
10. Explore the Green BazaarSample dried fruit, horse-meat sausages and kurt cheese in Almaty's lively market.

Kazakhstan🗺️ Where to visit in Kazakhstan

Where to go in Kazakhstan

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  AlmatySoutheast · largest cityLeafy boulevards, cafés and mountains on the doorstep make it the perfect travel base.
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  AstanaNorth · capitalA showcase of ambitious modern architecture rising from the steppe.
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  Charyn CanyonAlmaty region · canyonSpectacular red-rock formations a few hours' drive from Almaty.
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  Kolsai LakesTian Shan · alpine lakesA chain of clear lakes surrounded by spruce forest, good for hiking and horse riding.
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  TurkestanSouth · Silk Road cityHome to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and ancient Silk Road heritage.
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  Altyn-Emel National ParkSoutheast · desert parkSinging dunes, colourful Aktau mountains and wildlife like gazelles.
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  MangystauWest · desertSurreal white cliffs, underground mosques and otherworldly landscapes near the Caspian.
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  BurabayNorth · lakes & forestGranite hills, pine forests and lakes popular as a summer getaway from Astana.

Kazakhstan🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Kazakhstan

Best time to visit Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has an extreme continental climate with hot summers and very cold winters. The south around Almaty is milder, while the northern steppe and Astana can be among the coldest capitals in the world in winter.

Typical daytime highs and rain in Almaty (approximate averages).

Kazakhstan🎉 Festivals & events in Kazakhstan

• 21–23 March
  NauryzThe spring new year is celebrated with yurts, music, horse games and the special dish nauryz kozhe.
• 16 December
  Independence DayA national holiday marking independence with concerts and events.
• Autumn
  Golden Eagle festivalsHunters show off the skills of their trained eagles at regional festivals.
• 6 July
  Astana DayThe capital celebrates with concerts, fireworks and street events.

Kazakhstan🧭 Kazakhstan itinerary ideas

How many days in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan🎒 Backpacking Kazakhstan – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $30–45 a day

• Almaty and Astana have plenty of hostels, often in central apartment blocks.
• Trains are a cheap and comfortable way to cover huge distances; sleeper berths save on accommodation.
• Join shared group tours from Almaty to Charyn and Kolsai to split transport costs.
• Eat at stolovayas (canteens) for cheap, filling plov, lagman and soups.
• Use local ride-hailing apps in cities for fair, metered fares.

Kazakhstan🛡️ Safety & money in Kazakhstan

Emergency: 112 general · 102 police · 101 fire · 103 ambulance

Kazakhstan🛬 Getting to Kazakhstan

Almaty and Astana airports have direct flights to Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Land borders connect Kazakhstan with Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and China.

✈️ Cheap flights to Kazakhstan: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Kazakhstan💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Kazakhstan

• Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world.
• Apples are thought to originate from the wild forests near Almaty, whose name relates to the word for apple.
• The Baikonur Cosmodrome, the world's first spaceport, is leased to Russia and still used for launches.
• The capital has changed names several times since independence, but it is Astana once again.
• Traditional eagle hunting with golden eagles is still practised in parts of the country.

Kazakhstan❓ Kazakhstan travel FAQ

Kazakhstan travel questions