One Week in Kazakhstan – A Step-by-Step Kazakhstan Itinerary

Plan your visit with this in-depth Kazakhstan itinerary, covering the best of the country in seven days — from buzzing Almaty to spectacular canyons, glacial lakes and singing sand dunes.

Many people believe that Kazakhstan is a country of indefinite flatness. And in some ways, that’s true — there is a lot of flatness to be seen here.

However, Kazakhstan also has bustling cities, spectacular mountains, sparkling alpine lakes and stunning canyons. In just one week in this vast country, I saw all of the above, and more.

Some visitors assume Kazakhstan is a hard destination to reach, but it’s actually well-connected from most major European hubs, and UK, US and most EU citizens can enter visa-free for up to 30 days without needing to arrange anything in advance. In just one week, you can experience a huge amount of what this extraordinary country has to offer. Read on for my tried-and-tested seven-day itinerary.

A few guidelines about this itinerary:

Who this itinerary is for:

• Outdoor lovers
• Hikers of all levels
• Adventure travellers

Who this itinerary is NOT for:

• Extreme foodies
• People who don’t like hiking
• City people (there’s only one day in Almaty here)

One Week in Kazakhstan: A Sample Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive in Almaty

If you’re flying into Almaty, you’ll arrive at Almaty International Airport (ALA), which opened a new international terminal in 2024 and is significantly more pleasant to navigate than it used to be. From the airport, a taxi to the city centre takes around 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic; agree on a price before you get in, or use the Yandex Go app (Kazakhstan’s equivalent of Uber) for a metered, pre-quoted fare that avoids any negotiation.

In Almaty, FM Hostel Almaty is a solid budget option, centrally located and well-reviewed. For mid-range, Renion Park Hotel is comfortable and well-placed for exploring the city.

Day 1: Almaty City Tour

As one of the largest cities in Central Asia, Almaty has the feel of a sophisticated, European-influenced metropolis — crowded streets, upscale shopping malls and a widespread public transit system make it easy to get around. Spend your first full day getting to know the city while you recover from any jet lag.

You can roam independently, or join a guided walking tour to cover the highlights with local context.

The Ascension Cathedral (also called the Zenkov Cathedral) is one of the city’s most striking sights — a colourful Russian-style church in the beautiful Panfilov Park, built almost entirely from wood in 1907 without a single nail. Even if you don’t go inside, the park itself is a lovely place to wander on a morning stroll. There are several museums nearby if you want to dig deeper into the culture: the Kazakhstan Museum of Musical Instruments and the Central State Museum are both worth a look.

In the late afternoon, take the cable car up to Kok-Tobe for sweeping views over the city — the skyline framed against the Tian Shan mountains behind it is the classic Almaty image. Alternatively, head to the Zhibek Zholy walking street for your evening, where there’s a good selection of restaurants and bars.

Day 2: Hiking in Medeu and Shymbulak

I didn’t make it up to Medeu and Shymbulak during my visit, but I heard from so many fellow travellers that this was one of the best things to do around Almaty that I wouldn’t feel right leaving it out.

Medeu is the city’s famous outdoor ice skating rink, set at 1,691 metres in a dramatic mountain gorge, and Shymbulak is the nearby ski resort, perching higher still at around 2,200 metres. In winter they serve exactly these purposes, but in summer the cable cars open up for a variety of walks and day hikes with spectacular mountain scenery. Several Swiss travellers told me it was akin to hiking in the Alps — which is a pretty raving endorsement.

To reach Medeu, you can take a bus from the city or a taxi; from Medeu, cable cars run up to Shymbulak. There are hiking trails of varying difficulty from here, and the views back over Almaty from the upper stations are remarkable.

Day 3: Day Trip to Big Almaty Lake

One of the most beloved spots in the Almaty region is Big Almaty Lake (known locally as ‘BAO’), a high-altitude water reservoir tucked into a mountainous valley above the city. Depending on the time of year and the light, the water shifts from pale blue to a deep, vivid turquoise — the kind of colour that doesn’t look real in photos and looks even better in person.

It’s the perfect place for a picnic by the lakeside and some unhurried people-watching — though a word of caution: don’t go near the water itself. Big Almaty Lake is a drinking water reservoir guarded by soldiers, and it’s illegal to enter.

Day 4: Charyn Canyon

Charyn Canyon is one of Kazakhstan’s most spectacular surprises — a large, dramatic canyon of vivid red-orange rock rising from otherwise flat, steppe-like terrain. Inside the canyon, extraordinary and somewhat alien-looking rock formations line a hiking trail that leads down to a small river and campground. You can also hike the rim for bird’s-eye views of the canyon below, which are magnificent when the sun is low.

To get there, you have a few options:

Day tour from Almaty — A reasonably priced day trip from the city, but you’ll be time-constrained and tours don’t run daily, so book in advance. Book a Charyn Canyon day trip here.

Multi-day tour including Charyn Canyon — This is the option I’d recommend for people who are both budget-conscious and time-constrained, as it combines Charyn with Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and Altyn-Emel in one trip. I paid around $300 USD for a multi-day tour including all meals and accommodation, and it’s generally better value with more passengers. Book a multi-day Charyn, Kolsai, Kaindy and Altyn-Emel tour here.

Private driver — The most expensive option, but also the most flexible, comfortable and reliable.

Self-drive — Possible but you’ll want a 4WD; check with local car hire operators in Almaty.

A note from experience: I did a four-day tour covering Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and the Altyn-Emel sand dunes, and I’d highly recommend this format for seeing everything efficiently. That said, my particular tour involved some disorganisation and a driver who was not in a fit state to drive on one occasion — I’d recommend booking through your hotel or a well-reviewed operator rather than going with the first option that comes up.

Day 5: Kaindy Lake

Kaindy Lake was my favourite place in all of Kazakhstan, and it should be pretty easy to see why.

It’s one of the most extraordinary lakes I’ve ever come across — brilliantly coloured and deeply strange, with an outcropping of pale, bare tree trunks rising from its otherwise glass-like surface. These trees stood in the valley before it became a lake, and remained eerily upright after a 1911 earthquake triggered a landslide that dammed the Kaindy River and gradually flooded the valley around them. The result is something that looks more like a dreamscape than a real place.

Where to Stay

After your time at Kaindy, you’ll need to overnight in the area. The options are camping at the lakeside (a beautiful spot) or staying in a yurt or guesthouse in Saty village.

Day 6: Kolsai Lakes National Park

Avid hikers shouldn’t miss Kolsai Lakes. The national park contains three glacial lakes at different elevations, surrounded by mountains and miles of emerald evergreen forest — it’s the kind of landscape that makes you feel very small in a very good way.

I did a day hike to the second lake, which was around 17km round trip, with the return somewhat testing after a day in the mountains. You can also swim in the second lake, but keep in mind it’s very cold — this is glacial meltwater, and it doesn’t warm up much even in summer.

There are dozens of kilometres of trails across three lakes, and you could easily spend two days here if your schedule allows. To get to Kolsai from Saty village, you can drive or take a marshrutka to the park entrance, where there’s a small admission fee to pay. You’ll spend another night in Saty.

Day 7: Altyn-Emel and the Singing Sand Dunes

Day seven is a driving day — a long one. Set off early, because the journey to the Altyn-Emel National Park and its extraordinary sand dunes takes around four to five hours, sometimes more.

Once you arrive, though, it absolutely justifies the journey. Altyn-Emel isn’t the largest sand dune complex you’ll ever see, but its setting is unlike anything else: you drive for miles across the flattest, most open road imaginable, and then suddenly a vast golden dune simply appears out of nowhere on the horizon. The surreal contrast of the dunes against the surrounding flat steppe is staggering.

It’s called the Singing Sand Dune because the winds create a low, resonant hum across the dune face under the right conditions — a deep, almost melodic rumble that carries across the desert. Hike up to hear it for yourself.

After the dunes, the long drive back to Almaty gives you plenty of time to reflect on a remarkable week. Book back into FM Hostel Almaty (budget) or Renion Park Hotel (mid-range) for your final night.

Day 8: Departure

Your last day in Kazakhstan. One week flies by — and this extraordinary country has a way of making you immediately start planning a return.

If You Have More Time in Your Kazakhstan Itinerary

One week gives you a wonderful feel for Kazakhstan’s culture and nature, but the country is vast and rewards more time. Here are a couple of additional regions worth exploring if you can extend your trip.

Shymkent and Turkestan

Shymkent and Turkestan are the easiest additions to make from Almaty, and they make a deeply rewarding extension.

In Shymkent, you’ll find some of the most hospitable people in all of Kazakhstan (genuinely — it’s remarkable) and a good base for exploring the Aksu Canyon, the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve and the Tian Shan Mountains.

Turkestan is famous for its magnificent Silk Road mausoleum, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi — an imposing 14th-century structure adorned with gorgeous tilework and considered one of the finest examples of Timurid architecture in Central Asia. It’s worth the trip on its own.

To get there, take an overnight train, a marshrutka or a domestic flight to Shymkent from Almaty. Turkestan is then a few hours by minibus from Shymkent’s main bus station.

Where to Stay in Shymkent

Hostel Sweet Home is a genuinely lovely option. Albina, the owner, is one of the kindest and most hospitable people I encountered in Kazakhstan, and she makes a wonderful breakfast. The hostel is affordable, clean and has air conditioning in all the rooms.

Astana

Astana is Kazakhstan’s capital — and it’s unlike any other city I’ve seen. With gleaming, futuristic architecture that looks like something from a science fiction film, some of the country’s most impressive mosques and a growing cultural scene, it’s well worth a visit if you’re after a city fix.

From Astana, you can take an overnight trip to Burabay National Park, a beautiful, lake-filled park in the northern steppe that’s a very different landscape from the mountains of the south.

Where to Stay in Astana

Hostel Forum is clean, cosy and good value, with English-speaking staff and easy access to the main sights.

One Week in Kazakhstan: Practical Tips

Visas and Entry

Citizens of the UK, USA, most EU countries and around 50 other nationalities can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 30 days per visit (maximum 90 days in any 180-day period). No migration card or advance paperwork is required — just your passport and onward travel documentation. Always check the current list of visa-free countries before you travel, as this can change.

How to Get to Kazakhstan

There are no direct flights from the UK or USA to Kazakhstan, but it’s well-connected with a single layover from most major European hubs. The main international airports are Almaty (ALA) and Astana (TSE). Almaty’s new international terminal, which opened in 2024, has significantly improved the arrival experience.

Getting Around Kazakhstan

By Plane

The fastest way to cover Kazakhstan’s enormous distances. Air Astana is the main carrier and operates the most reliable domestic network. SCAT Airlines also serves many domestic routes. Domestic flights are reasonably priced compared to Western equivalents and well worth considering for longer legs.

By Train

Between Astana, Almaty and Shymkent, trains run regularly — but they are genuinely very slow. The Almaty-Astana train, for example, takes around 14-18 hours. If you want the experience of a Kazakh train journey, the Shymkent to Almaty route (around 11-12 hours) is probably the most manageable. You can choose from first class (2-berth), second class (4-berth) or platzkart (open berth). Check schedules and book on tickets.kz or at any train station.

By Bus and Marshrutka

Marshrutkas (minibuses) depart from the main bus station in every city and connect towns across Kazakhstan and Central Asia. They’re cheap, frequent and a good way to travel shorter distances — expect to pay under $1 for local routes and $7-10 for longer journeys.

Getting Around Almaty

The Yandex Go app works extremely well in Almaty for ordering taxis with pre-quoted fares. It’s far preferable to flagging down a taxi on the street and avoids the need for any price negotiation, especially useful if you don’t speak Russian or Kazakh.

Kazakhstan Itinerary: Read Next

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