Discover Kazakhstan's most beautiful cities, mountain lakes, canyons, cultural landmarks and extraordinary landscapes — from the vibrant streets of Almaty to the futuristic skyline of Astana and the spectacular wilderness of Mangystau.
The best destinations depend on the type of trip you want, but ten places consistently stand out for UAE travelers: Almaty, Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, Astana, Burabay National Park, Turkistan, the Mangystau region, and Shymkent.
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Cultural capital surrounded by the Tian Shan Mountains. Best for: first-time visitors, families, city + nature. Best season: May–October.
A turquoise alpine lake and easy day trip from the city. Best for: photography, couples. Best season: June–September.
Dramatic rock formations known as the Valley of Castles. Best for: hiking, adventure. Best season: April–October.
Alpine lakes framed by pine forest. Best for: hiking, families, nature lovers. Best season: June–September.
Famous for its submerged spruce forest. Best for: photography, adventure. Best season: June–September.
Kazakhstan's futuristic capital. Best for: families, city sightseeing. Best season: April–October.
Lakes, forests and granite rock formations. Best for: families, nature. Best season: May–September.
Silk Road heritage and the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Best for: culture, history. Best season: Spring/Autumn.
Dramatic desert and limestone landscapes including Bozzhyra. Best for: adventure, photography. Best season: Spring/Autumn.
Local markets, museums and traditional culture. Best for: culture, food. Best season: Spring/Autumn.
Set against the Tian Shan Mountains, Almaty is where most Kazakhstan trips begin — and for good reason. It combines a walkable city center with quick access to alpine scenery most travelers don't expect from a capital-style destination.
Highlights include Kok Tobe hill for panoramic city views, the Medeu ice rink and Shymbulak mountain resort, the tree-lined Panfilov Park, the lively Green Bazaar, and the pedestrian Arbat street.
Recommended stay: 3–4 nights as a base. Best season: May–October. Almaty's mix of city comfort and nearby mountains makes it an easy first stop for UAE travelers new to Central Asia.
Explore Things to Do in AlmatyRoughly an hour from the city, Big Almaty Lake is known for its striking turquoise water set against the Tian Shan foothills — a color that shifts through the season depending on mineral content and snowmelt.
It's a popular half-day or full-day trip from Almaty, best combined with a short walk along the surrounding ridgeline for wider views over the lake and mountains.
Best season: June–September, when access roads are clearest. Some seasons and weather conditions can affect access, so check current conditions before planning your visit.
Often nicknamed Kazakhstan's answer to the Grand Canyon, Charyn Canyon's most famous section — the "Valley of Castles" — is a stretch of red rock formations sculpted over millions of years.
Walking trails through the valley floor bring you close to the rock walls, and the canyon is a popular day trip from Almaty, sometimes combined with Kolsai Lakes on a longer itinerary.
Best season: April–October. Summer midday heat can be intense in the canyon, so early morning or late afternoon visits are generally more comfortable.
A chain of three alpine lakes set among pine forest, Kolsai is one of Kazakhstan's most photographed natural areas. The first lake is the most accessible, with hiking and horse-riding routes leading toward the second and third.
The setting suits a range of travelers — families can stick to the lower lake, while more active travelers can hike further into the forest.
Best season: June–September. Kolsai fits naturally into a 5–7 day Kazakhstan itinerary alongside Charyn Canyon and Kaindy Lake.
Kaindy's defining feature is its submerged spruce forest — trunks rising straight out of turquoise water, formed after a 1911 earthquake created a natural dam. It's one of the most photographed sights in the Kolsai–Kaindy area.
Reaching the lake typically involves a rougher access road and a short walk, making it feel more remote than nearby Kolsai despite the short distance between them.
Best season: June–September, usually visited on the same trip as Kolsai Lakes given their proximity.
Kazakhstan's capital is defined by bold, futuristic architecture that feels distinct from Almaty's older, tree-lined streets. Landmarks include the Baiterek Tower, the tent-shaped Khan Shatyr entertainment center, the Nur Alem sphere, and the landscaped Presidential Park.
It's a strong add-on for longer trips, particularly for travelers interested in modern architecture and museums alongside Almaty's mountain scenery.
Best season: April–October for comfortable sightseeing; winter brings a very different, snow-covered character to the skyline.
Located in northern Kazakhstan, Burabay is known for its lakes, pine forests and unusual granite rock formations rising out of the landscape. It's a popular retreat for hiking, boating and, for the more adventurous, camping.
The park's scenery and range of easy walking trails make it a comfortable choice for families looking for nature without a demanding itinerary.
Best season: May–September.
One of Central Asia's most significant Silk Road cities, Turkistan is home to the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in the region.
Turkistan suits travelers with a specific interest in history and cultural tourism rather than nature-focused itineraries, and works well as an add-on for longer trips.
Best season: Spring and autumn, avoiding the more extreme summer heat and winter cold of the region.
Mangystau is Kazakhstan at its most dramatic — a desert region of limestone formations, canyons and otherworldly landscapes including Bozzhyra and the standalone mountain of Sherkala. The region is also home to underground mosques carved into rock.
This is a fundamentally different side of Kazakhstan than Almaty's mountains — remote, road-trip-oriented, and best suited to travelers comfortable with longer overland journeys.
Best season: Spring and autumn, when desert temperatures are more manageable.
Kazakhstan's third-largest city offers a different pace and character to Almaty and Astana, with parks, local markets, museums and traditional cuisine giving a more everyday view of Kazakh life.
Shymkent works best for travelers who want to go beyond the two main cities and experience daily culture rather than headline attractions.
Best season: Spring and autumn.
| Destination | Best For | Recommended Stay | Best Season | Travel Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almaty | First-time visitors, families | 3–4 nights | May–October | City + nature |
| Big Almaty Lake | Photography, couples | Half/full day | June–September | Day trip |
| Charyn Canyon | Hiking, adventure | Full day | April–October | Day trip |
| Kolsai Lakes | Hiking, families | 1–2 days | June–September | Nature |
| Kaindy Lake | Photography, adventure | Half day | June–September | Day trip |
| Astana | Families, city sightseeing | 2–3 nights | April–October | City |
| Burabay National Park | Families, nature | 1–2 nights | May–September | Nature |
| Turkistan | Culture, history | 1–2 nights | Spring/Autumn | Cultural |
| Mangystau Region | Adventure, photography | 3–4 nights | Spring/Autumn | Road trip |
| Shymkent | Culture, food | 1–2 nights | Spring/Autumn | Cultural |
Recommended stays are a planning guide — adjust based on your overall itinerary and travel pace.
Almaty, Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake.
Almaty, Astana, Burabay National Park.
Almaty, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, Big Almaty Lake.
Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, Mangystau.
Big Almaty Lake, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, Burabay.
Turkistan, Almaty, Shymkent.
Big Almaty Lake, Kaindy Lake, Charyn Canyon, Mangystau.
Good for Almaty, Turkistan and Charyn Canyon, with milder temperatures and fewer crowds.
Best for Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, Big Almaty Lake and Burabay, when mountain access is at its easiest.
Comfortable for Almaty, Astana, Mangystau and Shymkent, with cooler days and good light for photography.
Suited to Almaty and Astana city trips, plus skiing at Shymbulak — most lake and canyon destinations are harder to access.
How you structure your trip depends mostly on how many days you have available.
Almaty + Big Almaty Lake + Charyn Canyon — a compact introduction to the city and its nearest natural highlights.
Almaty + Charyn Canyon + Kolsai Lakes + Kaindy Lake — the most popular combination for first-time visitors.
Almaty + Kolsai Lakes + Kaindy Lake + Astana — adding the capital for a fuller city-and-nature itinerary.
Actual flight schedules, entry requirements and package availability should be verified before booking.
Best for an Almaty-focused trip covering the city and its closest attractions.
Almaty plus major nearby attractions such as Charyn Canyon or Big Almaty Lake.
Almaty + Charyn Canyon + Kolsai Lakes + Kaindy Lake — the most complete first-timer route.
Add Astana, Turkistan or the Mangystau region for a fuller picture of the country.
Quick answer: Costs vary based on flights, hotels, season, activities, transfers, number of travelers and tour type — there's no single fixed price that applies to every trip.
Visa requirements depend primarily on the traveler's passport nationality rather than simply on holding UAE residency. Some passport holders can enter visa-free, while others may need a tourist visa or e-visa — always verify current requirements before booking.
Kazakhstan Visa Guide for UAE ResidentsAlmaty, Astana, Burabay National Park and Big Almaty Lake offer a good balance of easy logistics and family-friendly activities, from city parks to gentle nature walks.
Almaty, Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, Astana, Burabay National Park, Turkistan, the Mangystau region and Shymkent are among the most popular destinations.
This varies by taste, but Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and Big Almaty Lake are consistently among the most photographed natural sites, while Mangystau offers the country's most dramatic desert scenery.
Yes — Kazakhstan combines a walkable, mountain-backed city in Almaty, a futuristic capital in Astana, alpine lakes, dramatic canyons and rich Silk Road heritage within a relatively compact travel radius.
Almaty is generally the best starting point for first-time visitors thanks to its mountain access and city facilities; Astana suits travelers interested in modern architecture and museums.
Neither is universally "better" — Almaty offers mountains, nature and a relaxed city feel, while Astana offers futuristic architecture and a more formal capital-city experience. Many itineraries include both.
5–7 days works well for a first trip focused on Almaty and nearby attractions. Longer trips of 10+ days allow you to add Astana, Turkistan or Mangystau.
May, June, September and October are strong choices for sightseeing and nature. December to February suits skiing and winter travel instead.
Yes — Almaty, Astana, Burabay National Park and Big Almaty Lake all offer family-friendly activities with manageable logistics.
Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and Burabay National Park are the standout natural destinations.
For a first trip, Almaty combined with Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake covers the most popular highlights within a manageable itinerary.
Costs vary based on flights, hotels, season, activities and tour type — Kazakhstan can offer good value compared with many European destinations, but this should be checked against your specific itinerary.
It depends primarily on the traveler's passport nationality rather than UAE residency alone. Some nationalities can enter visa-free while others need a visa or e-visa — always verify current requirements.
Almaty, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and Big Almaty Lake offer a good mix of scenery and privacy for couples.
Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and the Mangystau region are the top choices for hiking, trekking and more remote exploration.
Let Gulliver Holidays help you plan a Kazakhstan holiday from the UAE with carefully selected hotels, sightseeing, transfers and customizable itineraries.
Destination access, seasonal conditions, entry requirements and travel prices can change. Use this guide as a planning reference and verify current conditions before booking.
Photos: Ilyas Dautov, Polina Skaia, Tim Broadbent, Bagzhan Sadvakassov, Anatolii Shcherbyna, Travel With, LKHTK — via Unsplash.
