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A "Grand Canyon" of red sandstone, alpine lakes straight out of the Alps, and a futuristic steppe capital — all about 4.5 hours from Dubai. Here's exactly how to spend 7 days in Kazakhstan, day by day.
Spend Day 1 exploring Almaty's Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov Park and Kok Tobe hill. Day 2 is a full-day trip to Charyn Canyon, often called the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia." Days 3–4 head to the alpine Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake, best enjoyed with an overnight stay in Saty village rather than a rushed day trip. Day 5 covers the turquoise Big Almaty Lake and Shymbulak mountain resort, before an evening flight to the capital. Days 6–7 explore Astana's futuristic skyline — Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr and the Hazrat Sultan Mosque — before departure. This combination covers Kazakhstan's essential nature and city sights without feeling rushed.
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A well-paced loop covering Almaty's mountains and lakes, followed by a short extension to the capital, Astana.
Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov Park, Kok Tobe and the Green Bazaar.
The "Valley of Castles" — red sandstone canyon, 200km east of Almaty.
Drive to Saty village, visit the sunken forest of Lake Kaindy.
Hike to the Middle Kolsai Lake, then return to Almaty.
Turquoise alpine lake, then an evening flight to Astana.
Bayterek Tower and Nurjol Boulevard's futuristic skyline.
Khan Shatyr, Hazrat Sultan Mosque, then flight home.
Ease into Kazakhstan with an afternoon exploring Almaty — a green, mountain-backed city with a distinctly relaxed, café-filled atmosphere.
Often called the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia," Charyn Canyon's red sandstone Valley of Castles is one of Kazakhstan's most photographed landscapes.
The alpine centrepiece of this itinerary. Kolsai Lakes sit roughly 5–6 hours from Almaty, so this day is best treated as the start of an overnight trip rather than a rushed round journey.
A morning hike to the Middle Kolsai Lake — widely considered the most scenic of the three — followed by the drive back to Almaty.
A far easier day trip than Kolsai — Big Almaty Lake sits just an hour from the city centre — followed by an evening flight to the capital.
A completely different side of Kazakhstan — a planned, futuristic capital built from scratch on the steppe since 1997.
A final morning covering Astana's most famous modern landmark before your flight home.
Kazakhstan has a continental climate with sharp seasonal swings — here's how each season affects this specific 7-day route.
| Season | Months | Almaty Temp | Notes for This Itinerary | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | April – June | 12°C – 25°C | Green landscapes, flowering alpine meadows at Kolsai in June | ⭐ Top Pick |
| Summer | July – August | 25°C – 35°C+ | Hot in Almaty and Astana; Kolsai Lakes and mountains stay pleasant | Good (Lakes) |
| Autumn | September | 15°C – 26°C | Golden canyon colours, comfortable hiking, fewer crowds | ⭐ Top Pick |
| Late Autumn | October – November | 2°C – 14°C | Roads to Kolsai and Kaindy may start closing; city-focused trips work best | Quiet Season |
| Winter | December – February | -10°C – 5°C (Astana colder) | Shymbulak skiing near Almaty; Astana can drop below -30°C — pack seriously warm layers | Good (Skiing/City) |
Kazakhstan has one of the most liberal visa regimes in Central Asia, but the rules still depend on your exact passport.
A few practical details to make this 7-day itinerary run smoothly.
The Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT) is the local currency. Cards work well in Almaty and Astana; carry cash for Saty village and smaller stops.
Public transport to Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes and Big Almaty Lake is limited. A private driver or guided tour makes this itinerary far smoother.
Almaty's mountains, Astana's steppe winters, and summer heat all differ sharply — layers are essential year-round.
Decide in advance whether you're flying home from Astana or returning to Almaty first — this affects your Day 7 planning.
Kazakh and Russian are the main languages. English is less common than in the Gulf — an offline translator app helps.
Recommended for all itineraries, particularly those including mountain hiking near Kolsai or Big Almaty Lake.
From visa checks to a fully customized version of this itinerary — Gulliver Holidays handles your complete Kazakhstan holiday from our Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices.
Follow this exact 7-day plan, or let us adjust it for your dates, pace and interests.
International flights, the Almaty-Astana domestic leg, hotels and private transfers arranged together.
Family-friendly hotels, group pricing and child-appropriate pacing on every day trip.
Message our team any time for itinerary advice, booking queries and last-minute changes.
We confirm your exact Kazakhstan visa route — visa-free or e-Visa — before you book.
Physical offices in both cities — walk in or contact us online before, during and after your trip.
Clear, itemized quotes with no hidden fees. Contact us for the latest Kazakhstan package pricing.
We also cover Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia, so a wider regional trip is easy to arrange.
More Gulliver Holidays resources for UAE travelers exploring the wider Caucasus and Central Asia region.
Yerevan, Garni-Geghard, Khor Virap and Lake Sevan — another Central Asia-adjacent add-on.
AzerbaijanBaku, Gabala and Sheki — a popular Caucasus destination from the UAE.
GeorgiaTbilisi, Kazbegi and Kakheti wine country for a wider regional trip.
GeorgiaSeason-by-season guide if you're combining this trip with Georgia.
InsuranceCoverage recommendations for mountain hiking and multi-city itineraries.
TurkeyNationality-by-nationality Turkey eVisa and sticker visa eligibility guide.
The most common questions UAE travelers ask when planning this trip.
Tell us your travel dates and group size — and our Dubai and Abu Dhabi team will arrange this exact 7-day Kazakhstan itinerary, or customize it, with flights, hotels, private transfers and visa support all included.
Itinerary timings, driving distances, flight schedules and visa requirements are indicative and subject to change based on travel dates, road conditions and current government policy. Please confirm current requirements with a Gulliver Holidays travel consultant before booking. Gulliver Holidays LLC is a licensed travel agency based in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE.