Kazakhstan, the world's largest landlocked country, offers a captivating blend of ancient Silk Road heritage, Soviet-era architecture, and stunning natural landscapes from the Altai Mountains to the Caspian Sea. Experience nomadic traditions in Central Asia's economic powerhouse, where futuristic capital Astana meets historic Almaty at the foothills of the Tian Shan mountains.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Charyn Canyon
Highlights: Valley of Castles — 300m orange rock formations · Charyn River gorge walk (2km loop) · Tsinga Valley for wildflowers in spring · Overnight camping option at canyon
Big Almaty Lake and Ile-Alatau National Park
Highlights: Turquoise glacial lake at 2,510m altitude · Tian Shan Mountain views · Short hike to the ridge above the lake · Wildflower meadows in June-July
Medeu and Shymbulak Ski Resort
Highlights: World's highest ice skating rink (1,691m) · 842-step mudflow dam with valley views · Shymbulak resort at 2,200m for skiing Nov-April · Summer hiking trails in alpine meadows
Kolsai Lakes
Highlights: Three glacial lakes connected by forest trails · Upper lake at 2,850m for mountain reflections · Horse trekking between lakes · Yurt camp overnight experiences
Kaindy Lake
Highlights: Earthquake-created lake with drowned spruce forest · Iconic dead tree trunks rising from turquoise water · Scuba diving in summer (cold but crystal clear) · Autumn photography with peak foliage in October
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized day tours from Almaty to Charyn Canyon from $20-30 per person; mountain lake tours from $30-50 per person
- Private
- Private car hire from $80-150/day for Charyn Canyon; $100-200 for Kolsai/Kaindy lakes (requires 4WD)
- Public
- Bus 12 to Medeu ($0.30); shared taxis from Sayran terminal to Charyn Canyon ($10-15 one-way)
- Rental
- Car rental from $40-80/day at Almaty airport; 4WD essential for mountain lake roads
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early — Charyn Canyon temperatures exceed 40°C by midday in summer; leave Almaty by 7AM
Book Kolsai and Kaindy trips as overnight experiences — the 4.5-hour drive from Almaty makes same-day return exhausting
Always carry more water than you think you need for canyon and mountain trips; facilities are extremely limited
A National Park permit is required at the Ile-Alatau checkpoint for Big Almaty Lake; obtainable at the gate