Kazakhstan Tours: Vast Horizons & Nomadic Legends

Intro to Kazakhstan Tours

Kazakhstan is a land of staggering scale — where glacier-capped mountains meet boundless steppe, and nomadic culture lingers beneath nomadic culture. As the world’s ninth-largest country, its distances are vast and its landscapes extreme, but guided tours turn logistical barriers into eye-opening journeys. Whether you’re standing on the edge of a singing dune or sipping kumis in a yurt camp, Kazakhstan tours bridge the gap between raw wilderness and local wisdom.

From Almaty’s green boulevards to the alien terrain of Mangystau, a tour is often the only way to access the most remote — and unforgettable — corners of the country.

Start planning your journey with our Kazakhstan Travel Guide — and unlock the magic only guided tours can offer.

Why Take a Tour in Kazakhstan?

Kazakhstan rewards bold travelers — but its remoteness makes guided experiences both practical and powerful.

• Cover vast distances efficiently. Tours solve transport gaps with private vans, domestic flights, or trains.
• Gain rare cultural insight. Nomadic rituals, Kazakh hospitality, and oral histories come alive with local guides.
• Travel safely and legally. Many national parks require permits or guides for entry.
• Language navigation. Russian and Kazakh dominate — English is not widely spoken outside cities.
• Ideal for solo adventurers, groups, and cultural explorers.
• Support local communities. Many tours partner with family-run yurt camps and traditional artisans.

Top Tours in Kazakhstan by Popularity

These popular tours reveal the country’s contrasting regions — from snowcapped peaks to fossilized canyons.

Almaty & Southeastern Kazakhstan

• Charyn Canyon & Valley of Castles Tour
  • Style: Scenic + Hiking
  • Includes: Roundtrip transport, short hikes, local guide, canyon photo stops
  • Tips: Bring sun protection and stable shoes — limited shade
• Big Almaty Lake + Falconry Demonstration
  • Style: Nature + Culture
  • Includes: Alpine lake drive, falcon training show, orchard stop
  • Tips: Go early for mountain light and fewer visitors
• Almaty City + Green Bazaar Walking Tour
  • Style: Urban + Culinary
  • Includes: Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, market tastings
  • Tips: Ideal first-day orientation with food sampling

Central Kazakhstan

• Turkistan & Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Tour
  • Style: Pilgrimage + Architecture
  • Includes: UNESCO mausoleum, Silk Road heritage sites, local guide
  • Tips: Dress modestly; includes religious structures
• Baikonur Cosmodrome Special Tour
  • Style: Space + History
  • Includes: Cosmodrome access (with advance clearance), launch pad sites
  • Tips: Must book months ahead; requires passport approval

Western Kazakhstan

• Mangystau Desert Jeep Safari
  • Style: Geology + Adventure
  • Includes: Boszhira cliffs, underground mosques, Tuzbair salt flats
  • Tips: Extreme conditions — book only with reputable operators
• Ustyurt Plateau & Shakpak-Ata Tour
  • Style: Remote + Spiritual
  • Includes: Ancient necropolises, desert panoramas, spiritual caves
  • Tips: Multi-day; 4WD essential

Northern Kazakhstan

• Astana Architectural Tour
  • Style: Modern + Political
  • Includes: Bayterek Tower, Nur-Astana Mosque, futuristic buildings
  • Tips: Evening tours highlight stunning night lights
• Burabay National Park Excursion
  • Style: Lakes + Hiking
  • Includes: Shchuchinsk, rock formations, pine forest walks
  • Tips: Great for photography and relaxed nature travelers

Editor’s Picks: Recommended Kazakhstan Experiences

These handpicked tours are immersive, offbeat, and full of storytelling power.

• Nomadic Yurt Stay + Horseback Trek
  • Ride through steppe landscapes to a working yurt camp. Includes kumis tasting, songs by dombra, and meals with a local family.
• Singing Dune + Altyn Emel National Park
  • Explore Kazakhstan’s legendary “singing” sand dune and lunar-like Aktau mountains. Full-day or 2-day tour with overnight camping.
• Zhabagly Nature Reserve Wildlife Trek
  • Oldest national park in Central Asia. Snow leopard territory, endemic tulips, and alpine ridges with naturalist guides.
• Kazakh Carpet & Felt-Making Village Tour
  • Visit artisans in Shymkent or Taldykorgan, learn patterns and hand-dyeing methods. Includes tea with the weavers.
• Aral Sea Environmental Tour
  • Visit the ghost ports of Aralsk, hear stories of water loss, and explore Soviet-era shipwrecks in the desert.
• Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tour
  • Visit pine-covered alpine lakes, including Kaindy’s sunken forest. 2-day tour with mountain lodge or glamping options.

Let Kazakhstan Inspire Your Next Trip

• Ride into the wide open steppe beneath a sky that stretches farther than the horizon — with only eagles for company.
• Sit beside a campfire as your guide plays the dombra and recounts nomadic stories passed down through generations.
• Walk through stone canyons shaped by ancient seas, where each rock tells a story of fire, water, and time.
• Kazakhstan tours connect rugged nature with quiet tradition — in a land that asks you to slow down and look closer.

Book immersive Kazakhstan tours and experience unforgettable things to do in Kazakhstan — from canyon treks and lake hikes to yurt stays, eagle shows, and stargazing deserts.

Must-See Nearby Adventures from Kazakhstan Base Cities

From Almaty

• Charyn Canyon + Moon Valley Tour – 8–10 hour roundtrip with lunch
• Kolsai Lakes Overnight Hike – Mountain trails and alpine lake swims
• Almaty Urban & Bazaar Food Tour – Half-day with 8+ tastings

From Astana

• Burabay Day Tour – Lakes, cliffs, forest walks
• Astana Futurist Architecture Tour – 3-hour walking or driving tour
• Korgalzhyn Biosphere Reserve Visit – Flamingo spotting and steppe ecology

Most Loved Attractions & Activities

• Big Almaty Lake – Tour groups love the photo ops and mountain air
• Charyn Canyon – Ranked high for local guides and surreal views
• Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center – Bizarre but beloved Astana tour stop
• Green Bazaar (Zelyony) – Great for guided sampling and food photography
• Kaindy Lake – A favorite for hikers and surreal nature lovers

Local Secrets You’ll Love in Kazakhstan

• Tamgaly Petroglyph Site – Prehistoric rock carvings hidden in the steppe
• Ulytau Pilgrimage Trail – Sacred Islamic and Turkic sites with local mystics
• Shymbulak Night Skiing Experience – Evening tours with mountaintop dinners
• Kazakh New Year (Nauryz) Festival Tour – Cultural events, yurts, traditional games
• Zenkov Cathedral Interior Tour – Lesser-known guided session with religious icons and local history

Savor the Local Cuisine

• Almaty Food Walk – Lagman, beshbarmak, manti, and kefir sampled over 4–5 stops
• Farm Lunch at a Yurt Camp – Homemade bread, goat cheese, stews, and endless tea
• Eagle Hunter Demo + Outdoor Picnic – Learn about falconry while dining beside a mountain pass
• Traditional Cooking Class – Learn to roll manti dumplings and slow-cook horse meat dishes
• Must-try dishes: Plov, shubat (camel milk), samsa, kazy sausage

Sample Day Plans to Maximize Your Visit in Kazakhstan

Here’s how to structure your trip with varied tour combinations — from day trips to full circuits.

3-Day Almaty Gateway

• Day 1: Almaty city tour including Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, and Green Bazaar
• Day 2: Big Almaty Lake and Falconry Demo half-day tour
• Day 3: Charyn Canyon and Moon Valley full-day excursion

Best for: City-first travelers and short-stay explorers

5-Day Mountains & Culture Escape

• Day 1: Almaty culture tour + traditional dinner show
• Day 2: Charyn Canyon + off-road hike in Temirlik Valley
• Day 3: Drive to Saty village; overnight in guesthouse
• Day 4: Visit Kaindy and Kolsai Lakes with picnic lunch
• Day 5: Return to Almaty via Nomadic Culture Museum

Best for: Photographers, hikers, and immersive travelers

7-Day Nomadic Heritage Itinerary

• Day 1–2: Explore Almaty and nearby mountains
• Day 3: Transfer to Turkistan for mausoleum and Silk Road ruins
• Day 4: Craft tour in Shymkent with overnight yurt stay
• Day 5: Felt-making or horseback experience
• Day 6: Visit Tamgaly petroglyphs
• Day 7: Final day in Almaty with free time or culinary tour

Best for: History lovers, artisans, and culture-seekers

10-Day Kazakhstan Expedition

• Days 1–3: Almaty + Charyn + Kolsai + Kaindy combo tour
• Days 4–6: Travel west to Mangystau Desert for Boszhira and Tuzbair
• Days 7–8: Aral Sea tour with overnight desert camp
• Days 9–10: Astana city tour + museum + Bayterek Tower visit

Best for: Adventurers, long-haul travelers, and landscape chasers

Ideal Seasons to Explore

Kazakhstan experiences a wide range of climates — planning by season ensures comfort and accessibility.

Spring (April–June)

• Best for: Canyon hikes, alpine lake treks, tulip spotting
• Avoid: April rains may affect remote road access
• Tip: Great season for cultural festivals and moderate weather

Summer (July–August)

• Best for: Highland camping, yurt stays, stargazing in the desert
• Avoid: Urban heat in cities like Almaty and Turkistan
• Tip: Book alpine or Mangystau tours for cooler, scenic escapes

Autumn (September–November)

• Best for: Photography, wine harvests, trekking in southern parks
• Avoid: Early snow in northern passes by November
• Tip: Fall colors around Kolsai Lakes are spectacular

Winter (December–March)

• Best for: Shymbulak skiing, indoor culture tours, hearty cuisine
• Avoid: Long drives in remote regions due to snow
• Tip: Great for hot springs, culinary experiences, and national museums

What to Know Before You Reserve

Here are must-know tips before booking Kazakhstan tours:

• Mountain + desert tours require early booking. Permits and accommodations are limited
• Private guides are affordable. Consider them for remote or multi-day circuits
• Cash is essential in rural areas. Few ATMs or card readers outside cities
• Local SIM cards are cheap. For translation, maps, and guide messaging
• Tipping is appreciated. Around 5–10% for tour guides and drivers

Accessibility & Special Considerations

Kazakhstan’s infrastructure is growing — here’s what to expect for inclusive travel:

• Wheelchair access: City museums and urban parks offer best access; remote sites limited
• Low-impact tours: Carpet workshops, cultural walks, and city drives are excellent alternatives
• Senior travelers: Private pacing, comfortable hotels, and nature tours with minimal walking are available
• Families with kids: Kolsai, Green Bazaar, and falconry demos are family-friendly
• Multilingual guides: English, Russian, and Kazakh available — confirm in advance
• Self-guided travelers: Offline maps + basic Russian phrases are helpful

Moving Around Made Simple

Tour logistics in Kazakhstan vary widely by region. Here’s how to move efficiently:

• Main Airports:
  • Almaty International (ALA) – Southeast hub
  • Astana Nursultan Nazarbayev (NQZ) – Central/northern hub
  • Aktau (SCO) – Western desert access
• Domestic Travel:
  • High-speed trains connect Astana, Karaganda, and Shymkent
  • Long-distance buses are basic; best to use tour transfers
  • Private drivers often hired for remote or multi-day trips
• Ride Apps:
  • Yandex Go available in major cities
  • Local taxis common but require negotiation
• Typical Costs:
  • Full-day tour: $60–150 USD
  • Multi-day nomad tour: $350–700 USD
  • Private driver: ~$80–120/day
  • Domestic flights: $40–100 USD

Stay Close to the Action

Choose where to base yourself depending on the tours you’re booking.

• Almaty
  • Best for: Mountain tours, city heritage, food scene
  • Notes: Major tour hub; access to lakes and canyon routes
• Astana
  • Best for: Modern architecture, museums, steppe excursions
  • Notes: Ideal for urban explorers and quick city stays
• Shymkent
  • Best for: Cultural workshops, Turkistan access, southern circuits
  • Notes: Great base for artisans, yurt makers, and felt tours
• Mangystau (Aktau)
  • Best for: Desert explorers and photographers
  • Notes: Multi-day tours recommended for distance and terrain
• Saty Village
  • Best for: Kolsai/Kaindy Lakes, homestays, trekking
  • Notes: Rustic but rewarding; most tours include overnight

Plan Smarter, Travel Better

Use these helpful tools and planning resources to enhance your Kazakhstan tour experience:

• Download 2GIS or MAPS.ME for offline navigation
• Use Yandex Translate for street signs and conversations
• Follow local Instagram travel pages for current road and weather conditions
• Check festival calendars (e.g., Nauryz in March) for unique experiences
• Bring a power bank — long days and remote areas often lack outlets

Choose Your Next Adventure

Kazakhstan pairs perfectly with its Central Asian neighbors and regional destinations:

• Uzbekistan: Continue your Silk Road adventure with Samarkand and Bukhara
• Kyrgyzstan: Border hop for alpine lakes and yurt trekking
• Azerbaijan: Connect via Caspian ferry or short flight for fire temples and mountain culture
• China (Xinjiang): Deep dive into Silk Road culture and western China

Uzbekistan Tours | Kyrgyzstan Tours | Azerbaijan Tours | China Tours

It’s Time to Experience Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is vast, bold, and full of subtle magic — where winds shape canyons, stars crowd desert skies, and nomadic stories live on in shared meals and songs. Guided tours reveal not just landscapes, but layers of culture, hospitality, and resilience. Begin your adventure with expert-led journeys and discover how Kazakhstan can change the way you see distance, silence, and the beauty of the wide open world.