destination
South-east Kazakhstan packs high mountains, canyons and alpine lakes within a few hours of Almaty. We plan private trips and group programs that often continue into Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan.
best time
May–October for mountains and lakes; December–March for skiing near Almaty
highlights
Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia, but most travellers focus on its south-east corner, and for good reason. Here the steppe meets the northern Tian Shan, and within a day’s drive of the city you find glaciers, spruce forests, red canyons and turquoise lakes. It is the most nature-focused of the countries we cover, and it suits travellers who want hiking and landscapes after the architecture of Uzbekistan.
The second reason is comfort. Almaty has a wide range of hotels, restaurants and cafés, good roads lead to the main natural sites, and the city works well as a base for day trips or short overnight loops.
Almaty is the country’s largest city and the gateway to the region. Spend a day on Panfilov Park and the wooden Ascension Cathedral, the Green Bazaar and the Kok-Tobe hill, then head up to the Medeu valley and Shymbulak. Big Almaty Lake, an alpine reservoir in the mountains south of the city, is a short drive away and one of the most photographed views in Kazakhstan.
East of Almaty, the Charyn river has cut a canyon through red sandstone. The best known section, the Valley of Castles, is an easy walk along the canyon floor between eroded towers. Read more on our Charyn Canyon page.
Further east, close to the Kyrgyz border, the Kolsai lakes lie in a spruce-covered gorge, and Kaindy lake has the trunks of drowned trees standing out of the water. Many travellers combine Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai in a two-day loop with a night in a guesthouse in Saty village.
Kazakhstan has much more: the modern capital Astana, the Turkestan mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in the south, the Mangystau deserts in the west. These need extra days and domestic flights, and we add them on request.
A focused trip of four to six days covers Almaty and the lakes, as in our Almaty and the Tian Shan program. Most guests add Kyrgyzstan: the road from Almaty to Bishkek is short, and from there it is easy to reach Issyk-Kul. Kazakhstan also appears in our grand route across all five countries of the region.
The mountain season runs from late May to early October. June and September are the most pleasant months for walking, with mild temperatures and fewer visitors than in July and August. Higher trails and passes may hold snow until early summer. In winter, Almaty becomes a ski destination, but some lake roads can be difficult.
Almaty has the main international airport for the south-east. From Tashkent, travellers can fly or travel overland via Shymkent; our team selects flights with direct or connecting options for your dates. Within the region we use private cars, 4x4 vehicles for rougher tracks and minibuses for groups. Border crossings into Kyrgyzstan are by road; check our notes on overland routes before planning a self-drive.
Information checked in October 2026; entry rules change, so confirm with our team or the official embassy website before you travel.
Send us a request with your dates, group size and the pace you like, from easy viewpoints to full-day hikes. We build a program with hotels, guides and transport, and send a quote. Tour operators can ask for a ground-handling proposal for their groups.
Updated: 2026-10
Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest city and the best base in Central Asia for mountain day trips. In the morning you walk through leafy avenues, in the afternoon you can be at 3,000 metres.
ReadCharyn Canyon is the most dramatic landscape within reach of Almaty: red sandstone walls and towers carved by wind and water. It works as a long day trip or as the first stop of a lakes loop.
ReadThe Kolsai lakes lie in a spruce-filled gorge in the northern Tian Shan, and nearby Kaindy hides the trunks of a drowned forest. Together they make the most scenic short trip from Almaty.
ReadFour to six days is enough for Almaty, Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes. Add a few more days if you want to hike or combine the trip with Kyrgyzstan.
Yes, this is one of the most common combinations. Almaty and Bishkek are linked by road, and there are flights between Almaty and Tashkent; we choose the best option for your dates.
Citizens of many countries can visit visa-free for a limited period. The list and the allowed length of stay change, so check the current rules for your passport before you travel.
Almaty is a good winter base thanks to the Shymbulak ski resort nearby. Canyons and lakes are reachable in winter too, but some mountain roads and trails are closed by snow.
Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest city and the best base in Central Asia for mountain day trips. In the morning you walk through leafy avenues, in the afternoon you can be at 3,000 metres.
Charyn Canyon is the most dramatic landscape within reach of Almaty: red sandstone walls and towers carved by wind and water. It works as a long day trip or as the first stop of a lakes loop.
The Kolsai lakes lie in a spruce-filled gorge in the northern Tian Shan, and nearby Kaindy hides the trunks of a drowned forest. Together they make the most scenic short trip from Almaty.
A modern city at the foot of the mountains, an alpine lake and the canyons of the steppe.
Kyrgyzstan is the mountain heart of Central Asia, where shepherd families still move to summer pastures with their yurts. We plan trips that mix scenery, light trekking and time with local hosts.
post card
Tell us your dates, group and interests — we reply with a program and a quote.
To: Global Destination
Where: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tel.: +998 99 760-82-33
Email: [email protected]
Telegram: @GlobalDestination1