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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ Kazakhstan

Vast steppe, the colourful Charyn Canyon, alpine lakes near Almaty and the futuristic capital Astana โ€” Kazakhstan is Central Asia's huge, surprising frontier.

Visa-free ๐Ÿ“… Best: Mayโ€“Sep ๐Ÿ’ต $85/day avg
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Capital
Astana
๐Ÿ’ฑ
Currency
Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT)
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ
Language
Kazakh, Russian
๐Ÿ“…
Best time
Mayโ€“Sep
๐Ÿ›‚
Visa
Visa-free (many)
๐Ÿ’ต
Avg daily budget
$40 โ€“ $290
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Safety
Generally safe
โœˆ๏ธ
Main airport
Almaty (ALA) / Astana (NQZ)
Overview

Why travellers love Kazakhstan

Almaty is the green, mountain-backed cultural hub and base for the Tian Shan lakes and Charyn Canyon, while Astana dazzles with bold architecture.

Visa rules have relaxed and it's an easy, affordable Silk Road add-on.

Where to go

Top places in Kazakhstan

The destinations worth building your trip around.

Almaty

Almaty

๐Ÿ—“ 2 days

Mountain-backed cultural capital.

CityNature
Charyn Canyon

Charyn Canyon

๐Ÿ—“ 1 day

A 'mini Grand Canyon' of red rock.

AdventureNature
Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes

Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes

๐Ÿ—“ 1โ€“2 days

Alpine lakes and a sunken forest.

NatureAdventure
Astana

Astana

๐Ÿ—“ 1 day

Futuristic capital architecture.

CityCulture
Plan day by day

Kazakhstan itineraries

Ready-made routes โ€” tap a duration to see the plan.

Route
Almaty โ†’ Charyn Canyon โ†’ Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$200 โ€“ $1,450
1–2

Almaty

Mountain-backed cultural capital.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ City ยท Nature
3–4

Charyn Canyon

A 'mini Grand Canyon' of red rock.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Adventure ยท Nature
5

Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes

Alpine lakes and a sunken forest.

๐Ÿ—“ 1 dayโœจ Nature ยท Adventure
Route
Almaty โ†’ Charyn Canyon โ†’ Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes โ†’ Astana
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$280 โ€“ $2,030
1–2

Almaty

Mountain-backed cultural capital.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ City ยท Nature
3–4

Charyn Canyon

A 'mini Grand Canyon' of red rock.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Adventure ยท Nature
5–6

Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes

Alpine lakes and a sunken forest.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Nature ยท Adventure
7

Astana

Futuristic capital architecture.

๐Ÿ—“ 1 dayโœจ City ยท Culture
Route
Almaty โ†’ Charyn Canyon โ†’ Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes โ†’ Astana
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$400 โ€“ $2,900
1–3

Almaty

Mountain-backed cultural capital.

๐Ÿ—“ 3 daysโœจ City ยท Nature
4–6

Charyn Canyon

A 'mini Grand Canyon' of red rock.

๐Ÿ—“ 3 daysโœจ Adventure ยท Nature
7–8

Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes

Alpine lakes and a sunken forest.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ Nature ยท Adventure
9–10

Astana

Futuristic capital architecture.

๐Ÿ—“ 2 daysโœจ City ยท Culture
โœจ Build a custom Kazakhstan itinerary โ†’
Visa & entry

Kazakhstan visa requirements

Visa required?
Visa-free for many
Allowed stay
Up to 30 days
Visa on arrival
For some
eVisa
eVisa for some
Passport validity
6 months
Visa type
Visa-free
โš ๏ธ

Visa rules change frequently. Many nationalities now enter visa-free for 30 days; others apply for an eVisa. Always verify with the official Kazakhstan immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full Kazakhstan visa guide โ†’Use the visa checker โ†’
Money

Kazakhstan budget guide

Budget

$40/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$290+/day
  • 4โ€“5โ˜… hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full Kazakhstan budget guide โ†’
Things to do

Top attractions in Kazakhstan

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Charyn Canyon

Dramatic eroded red-rock valley.

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Kolsai Lakes

Alpine lakes in the Tian Shan.

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Kaindy Lake

A submerged sunken forest.

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Astana

Bold modern landmarks like Bayterek.

โ›ท๏ธ

Shymbulak

Skiing and cable cars above Almaty.

Get outside

Nature in Kazakhstan

All nature
Blog

Kazakhstan travel articles

All guides