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Kazakhstan

Steppe, canyons and the Tian Shan.

Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country: Almaty below the Tian Shan, the sunken forest of Lake Kaindy, the Charyn Canyon, and a futuristic Astana.

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Current weather — Almaty

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Best time to visit May – September

Time zone GMT +5

Currency KZT (₸)

Visa Visa-free 30 days

Flight time 7 – 9 hrs via a connection from Vietnam

AI summary

Kazakhstan suits travellers after raw landscape. Almaty is the base for Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy; May–September is the season, and many nationalities enter visa-free.

Kazakhstan at a glance

Population 20 million people

Area 2,724,900 km²

Capital Astana

Currency KZT (₸) Tenge

Language Kazakh Russian widely used

Climate Sharply continental very cold winters

Visa 30 days visa-free for many nationalities

Driving side Right

Power socket Type C, F 220V – 50Hz

Kazakhstan destination location

6 mapped locations

Almaty The largest city, at the foot of the Tian Shan.

Charyn Canyon A 154 km red sandstone canyon, the "Valley of Castles".

Kolsai Lakes Three linked blue lakes in the Tian Shan.

Lake Kaindy A lake with a drowned spruce forest, formed by the 1911 earthquake.

Astana The capital, with the Bayterek tower and contemporary architecture.

Turkistan The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a Timurid UNESCO site.

Best time to visit Kazakhstan

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec

Excellent Very good Good Average Not ideal

Weather overview

Average temperature −15°C – 30°C Extreme seasonal range

Rainfall 300 mm Annual average

Humidity 40% – 70% Dry on the steppe

Sea temperature No ocean coast The Caspian and Aral seas

Travel styles in Kazakhstan

Nature Mountains & lakes Adventure Trekking & 4x4 Culture The Silk Road Photography Landscape photography City breaks Cities & architecture Family For all ages

Signature experiences

Nature Lake Kaindy’s drowned forest

Adventure The Charyn Canyon

City breaks Almaty & the Green Bazaar

Heritage The Yasawi Mausoleum, Turkistan

Food Beshbarmak & steppe cuisine

Photography The Kolsai Lakes

Culture Astana architecture

Shopping Carpets & handicrafts

Sample itineraries

View all

5 days Almaty & Nature Almaty – Charyn – Kolsai From USD 690/pax 8 days Classic Kazakhstan Almaty – Charyn – Astana – Turkistan From USD 1,190/pax 12 days Central Asia Combined Almaty – Bishkek – Tashkent – Samarkand From USD 1,890/pax

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Kazakhstan?

Vietnamese ordinary passports need an e-visa or an embassy visa; many other nationalities enter visa-free for 30 days. We check and prepare the file for your passport.

When is the best time to visit?

May–September. The Kolsai and Kaindy lakes are only really accessible from late May. Winter drops below −15°C and mountain roads close.

How long do Charyn and Kolsai take?

Charyn is a day trip from Almaty, about three hours each way. Kolsai and Kaindy are better with an overnight in Saty village rather than rushed.

Is English spoken?

In Almaty and Astana yes, especially among younger people. Outside the cities it is mostly Kazakh and Russian, so a guide matters.