Kazakhstan Travel Guide: Steppes, Lakes & Cities

Why visit Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked nation, stretches from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains. For travellers, it offers an astonishingly diverse landscape that defies the stereotype of a flat, empty steppe. Here, futuristic urban experiments like Astana contrast sharply with the leafy, Soviet-era boulevards of Almaty, while just beyond the city limits lie dramatic canyons, high-altitude alpine lakes, and snow-capped peaks.

Travelling here requires a shift in scale. Distances are vast, often measured in overnight train journeys or domestic flights. Whether you are trekking through the red clay formations of Charyn Canyon, skiing at Shymbulak, or scanning the horizon in the Kazakh Upland, the sheer space is liberating. The country's unique history as a major Silk Road crossroads and its nomadic heritage remain deeply woven into local customs, hospitality, and cuisine.

Charyn Canyon

A dramatic red-sandstone canyon carved by the Charyn River, featuring the famous 'Valley of Castles' trail winding through wind-sculpted formations.

Kaindy and Kolsai Lakes

Alpine lakes nestled in the Tian Shan foothills, famous for their vibrant turquoise waters and the sunken spruce forests of Lake Kaindy.

Shymbulak Mountain Resort

A modern ski resort accessible via a scenic cable car from Medeu, offering year-round high-altitude hiking, skiing, and panoramic views near Almaty.

Futuristic Astana Architecture

The striking skyline of the northern capital, showcasing landmark designs like the Bayterek Tower and the Norman Foster-designed Khan Shatyr tent.

Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi

A grand, blue-domed Timurid masterpiece and UNESCO World Heritage site located in the southern historical city of Turkistan.

Altyn-Emel National Park

A vast desert-steppe reserve home to the extraordinary Singing Dunes, ancient burial mounds, and the multi-colored Aktau clay mountains.

Popular regions

Almaty Region & Southeast

The country's top travel region, where alpine peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau look down on canyons, deep-blue lakes, and pine forests.

The Northern Steppes & Astana

A vast, windswept grassland home to the futuristic capital city Astana and the pine forests of Burabay National Park.

The South & Silk Road Oasis

The historical heart of Kazakhstan, featuring ancient Silk Road cities like Turkistan, Shymkent, and the mountains of Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve.

The Western Caspian & Mangystau

A remote, starkly beautiful landscape of white limestone cliffs, salt flats, underground mosques, and oil towns on the Caspian Sea.

When to visit Kazakhstan

Based on average conditions in Kazakhstan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temperature	-1°	1°	8°	17°	22°	27°	30°	29°	24°	16°	7°	1°
Rain	8d	9d	11d	12d	12d	10d	8d	6d	5d	8d	9d	8d
Crowds	Med	Med	Med	Med	Med	High	High	High	High	Med	Low	Med

Cold
Comfortable / dry / low crowds
Cool–hot / typical / moderate
Very hot / wetter / high crowds

Plan your trip to Kazakhstan

The Golden Triangle

7 - 9 Days

Focus on the Almaty region: explore Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Lake Kaindy, and the Singing Dunes of Altyn-Emel.

The Two Capitals Route

10 - 12 Days

Combine Almaty's mountain scenery with a high-speed train ride north to witness Astana's futuristic architecture and nearby Burabay National Park.

Silk Road Heritage

8 - 10 Days

Travel through the south from Shymkent to Turkistan to explore the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi and the ruins of Otrar.

The Great Western Adventure

12 - 14 Days

Fly to Aktau on the Caspian Sea, then hire a 4WD expedition team to cross the alien landscapes of the Mangystau Plateau.

Getting around Kazakhstan

Railways (Temir Zholy)

The high-speed Talgo trains are clean, modern, and connect major cities like Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent quickly. Older Soviet-era sleepers offer a slower, more social experience.

Ride-Hailing Apps

Yandex Go is widely used in Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent. It is cheap, reliable, and prevents the need to negotiate fares with independent taxi drivers.

Marshrutkas & Shared Taxis

Minibuses and shared cars are the primary method of transport between smaller towns and villages. They depart from local bus terminals once all seats are filled.

Costs, food & practical info

Costs

Backpacker
15,000 - 20,000 KZT / day
Stay in urban hostels, use public marshrutkas or overnight trains, and dine on local street food like samsa and lagman.
Flashpacker
35,000 - 50,000 KZT / day
Opt for mid-range boutique hotels or rustic guesthouses, book fast-train tickets, and join shared group tours to nearby canyons.
Premium
80,000+ KZT / day
Stay in luxury international hotels, hire private 4WD vehicles with local drivers for remote national parks, and dine at high-end restaurants.

Cash remains essential outside Almaty and Astana. Local SIM cards and ride-hailing services are incredibly affordable.

Food & drinks

Beshbarmak (Boiled meat served over flat noodles with onion broth)4,500 - 7,000 KZT
Kazy (Traditional spiced horse-meat sausage)2,500 - 4,000 KZT
Samsa (Flaky pastry parcel filled with minced mutton and onions)350 - 600 KZT
Shashlik (Skewers of grilled lamb, beef, or chicken)1,200 - 2,500 KZT
Lagman (Hand-pulled noodles stir-fried with vegetables and meat)1,800 - 3,000 KZT

Practical

Visa Policy
Citizens of over 70 countries, including the EU, US, UK, and Canada, enjoy up to 30 days of visa-free entry. Registration is usually handled by your hotel.
Language barriers
Kazakh and Russian are the main languages. English is understood in high-end hotels and hip cafes in major cities, but translation apps are vital for rural areas.
Cash and Card Usage
Credit cards are widely accepted via contactless terminals in Almaty and Astana. However, you will need cash for national parks, bazaars, and rural guesthouses.
Connectivity
Getting a local SIM card (Beeline or Kcell) is simple and inexpensive at airport kiosks. 4G coverage is excellent in cities, but expect dead zones in mountain canyons.

Insight in one click

Frequently asked questions about visiting Kazakhstan

How many days should I spend in Kazakhstan? +

At least 10 to 14 days is ideal. This allows you to explore the mountain valleys and canyons of Almaty, take an overnight train, and experience either the northern capital of Astana or the historical southern Silk Road sites.

When is the best time to visit? +

Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) are ideal. During these times, the weather is mild enough for hiking in the mountains, and the steppes are green or painted in autumn gold.

Do I need a visa to enter Kazakhstan? +

Many nationalities, including citizens of EU countries, the United States, and the United Kingdom, can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for tourism for up to 30 days. Always verify current entry requirements before departure.

What is the local currency, and is cash needed? +

The local currency is the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). While credit cards are widely used in urban areas, you will need physical cash for park entrance fees, local bazaars, and rural homestays.

Is it safe to travel solo in Kazakhstan? +

Yes, Kazakhstan is generally very safe for solo travellers. Violent crime is rare, though standard precautions against petty theft should be taken in crowded bazaars, train stations, and public transport.

How do I get around the massive country? +

Domestic flights operated by Air Astana or FlyArystan are the quickest way to cover long distances. For a scenic and comfortable ground option, use the high-speed Talgo trains.

Is English widely spoken? +

English is spoken in modern hotels, trendier restaurants, and by younger people in Almaty and Astana. Outside of major hubs, Russian and Kazakh are essential, so downloading offline translation apps is highly recommended.