Kazakhstan
Haqqi Tours arranges day tours, private airport transfers, attraction tickets and multi-day packages across Kazakhstan, confirmed on WhatsApp before you pay.
Morning in Almaty smells of cold mountain air and warm bread. Above the city’s leafy avenues the snow-capped wall of the Zailiysky Alatau glows pink, while in the Green Bazaar vendors stack honey, dried apricots and the crisp apples that once grew wild on these very slopes. An hour’s drive away, the road drops into red canyons and empty steppe, and the sky seems to grow wider with every kilometre.
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The essence of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country on earth, yet few travellers have truly seen it. Here the nomadic world and the Silk Road meet glass-and-steel modernity: you can sleep in a felt yurt beneath a sky crowded with stars, stand before a turquoise medieval dome in Turkistan, then fly to Astana’s futuristic skyline. Hospitality is a sacred duty, the landscapes feel boundless, and the sense of discovery is still genuine. That openness is exactly why Kazakhstan rewards curious travellers now.
Why visit Kazakhstan?
Silk Road Cities and the Golden Warrior
Caravans once crossed southern Kazakhstan on the great Silk Road, leaving ancient Otrar, Taraz and Turkistan in their wake. In Turkistan, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, raised on Timur’s orders and inscribed by UNESCO, still glows with turquoise tilework. The petroglyphs of Tamgaly record thousands of years of steppe life, and the gilded Saka warrior known as the Golden Man, found near Almaty, became the emblem of a proud nomadic past.
Steppe, Canyons and Mountain Lakes
Kazakhstan’s scale is breathtaking: endless grassland steppe, the Caspian shore in the west and the Tian Shan rising sharply in the south-east. Near Almaty, Charyn Canyon’s red walls rival far more famous gorges, the Kolsai Lakes shimmer in spruce forest, and Kaindy Lake hides a drowned forest of pale trunks. Further out, the Singing Dune of Altyn-Emel hums in the wind, and the chalk cliffs of Mangystau feel almost lunar.
Dastarkhan Hospitality and Nomad Traditions
In Kazakhstan a guest is considered a gift from God, and the dastarkhan, the generously laid table, proves it. Expect beshbarmak of hand-cut noodles and tender meat, golden baursak, fragrant plov and endless bowls of milky black tea. Music flows from the two-stringed dombra, felt carpets carry ancient patterns, and the spring festival of Nauryz in March fills the streets with yurts, horseback games, music and long family feasts.
Space Rockets, Sunken Forests and Yurt Nights
Where else can you skate on one of the world’s highest outdoor ice rinks at Medeu, then ride a cable car to the ski slopes of Shymbulak in the same afternoon? Kazakhstan is home to Baikonur, the cosmodrome that sent the first human into space, to a mountain lake where tree trunks rise from turquoise water, and to steppe camps where you sleep in a traditional yurt beneath a sky blazing with stars.
Who is Kazakhstan for?
Ideal for
- Mountain hikers and landscape photographers
- Travellers curious about the Silk Road and nomadic culture
- Skiers looking for sunny, uncrowded slopes
- Couples and friends seeking a fresh, less-visited destination
- Families who love lakes, nature and open space
- Architecture lovers drawn to Astana’s futuristic skyline
Pace & travel style
- Base yourself in Almaty and take day trips into the mountains
- Long distances call for domestic flights or overnight trains
- Mountain lake outings start early and fill a full day
- Leave time for long, unhurried meals around the dastarkhan
When to visit Kazakhstan
Peak season · June–August
Summer is prime time for the Tian Shan: alpine meadows bloom, the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes are easiest to reach and high mountain trails are open. Almaty is warm and lively, with long evenings in its parks and around its fountains, while the steppe and the far south can be very hot. Popular mountain day tours and summer flights fill quickly, so it pays to plan well ahead.
Shoulder season · April–May and September–October
Spring dresses Almaty in apple and apricot blossom, and the Nauryz spirit lingers into green, mild days. Autumn may be even better: golden poplars, crisp air, clear mountain views and the apple harvest piled high at the markets. Temperatures are comfortable for Charyn Canyon and the Silk Road cities of the south, crowds thin out, and hotels are easier to secure on your preferred dates.
Low season · November–March
Winters in Kazakhstan are serious, especially on the northern steppe, where Astana ranks among the coldest capitals in the world. Almaty is milder and sunnier, and from December the slopes of Shymbulak and the ice of Medeu come alive. Low season suits skiers, city breaks and travellers who enjoy snowy landscapes, warm cafés and calm sightseeing, though some high mountain roads close.
The regions of Kazakhstan and how to combine its cities
Kazakhstan stretches from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, a land so vast that its regions feel like separate countries. The south-east, around Almaty, is the most visited: green foothills, the snowy Tian Shan, Charyn Canyon and the mountain lakes of Kolsai and Kaindy. West of it, the Silk Road belt of Taraz, Shymkent and Turkistan holds the country’s oldest cities, revered shrines and bustling bazaars.
The north is steppe country, centred on Astana, the bold capital of towers and boulevards rising on the banks of the Ishim, with the pine forests and lakes of Burabay a few hours away. The far west is a world of its own: oil towns on the Caspian, the chalk canyons and underground mosques of Mangystau, and desert roads that seem to run forever. In the east, the Altai rises in remote, forested ranges.
Our city directory below focuses on Almaty, the green, mountain-framed city where most Kazakhstan journeys begin. Our team arranges private airport transfers, guided day tours to Charyn Canyon, Big Almaty Lake and the Kolsai Lakes, and the flight and train tickets that link Almaty with Astana, Shymkent and Turkistan. Combine a mountain-rich stay in Almaty with a city break in Astana and a Silk Road extension in the south for the ideal Kazakhstan itinerary.
Before you go: practical tips for Kazakhstan
Entry & visas
Kazakhstan has opened its doors widely: citizens of many countries, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and a long list of others, can visit visa-free for short stays, and an official eVisa is available for many more nationalities. The rules depend on your passport and can change, so check the official government portal or the nearest Kazakh embassy before booking your trip.
Money, cards & tipping
The tenge is the national currency. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere in Almaty and Astana, but keep some cash for bazaars, village guesthouses and roadside stops in the mountains. Many restaurants add a service charge; if not, leaving around ten percent is appreciated, and drivers and guides welcome a tip. Polite bargaining is expected at the Green Bazaar and craft stalls, not in shops.
Etiquette & dress code
Respect for elders runs deep in Kazakhstan: greet them first and stand when they enter a room. Remove your shoes in homes and yurts, accept at least a little tea and bread, and never throw bread away or place it upside down. Dress modestly in mosques such as Almaty’s Central Mosque, with women covering their hair. Avoid photographing military or government buildings, and ask before photographing people.
Getting around
Kazakhstan is vast, so domestic flights are the fastest way to link Almaty, Astana, Shymkent, Turkistan and the Caspian coast. The national rail network is extensive and comfortable, with fast daytime services and sleeper trains that turn long distances into part of the adventure, and we issue both flight and train tickets. In and around Almaty, our private chauffeured transfers and day tours reach the mountains with ease.
Must-do things in Kazakhstan
- Walk the rim of Charyn Canyon and descend into the Valley of Castles.
- Gaze across the turquoise water of Big Almaty Lake high in the Tian Shan.
- See pale spruce trunks rising from the still, cold waters of Kaindy Lake.
- Explore the forested shores of the Kolsai Lakes in the mountains east of Almaty.
- Ride the cable car from the Medeu ice rink up to the slopes of Shymbulak.
- Browse honey, dried fruit and famous Almaty apples at the bustling Green Bazaar.
- Admire the colourful wooden Ascension Cathedral in Almaty’s Panfilov Park.
- Watch the city lights from Kok-Tobe hill as evening settles over Almaty.
- Visit the turquoise-domed Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in historic Turkistan.
- Share beshbarmak, baursak and milky tea around a traditional Kazakh dastarkhan.
Do’s and don’ts in Kazakhstan
Do
- Pack layers; mountain weather changes quickly, even in midsummer.
- Learn a few words of Kazakh or Russian, such as “rakhmet” for thank you.
- Accept tea when it is offered; refusing outright can seem cold.
- Keep your passport with you on mountain trips, where checkpoints are common.
- Schedule mountain day tours early in your stay in case weather forces a change.
Don’t
- Don’t throw away bread or leave it upside down on the table.
- Don’t step on the threshold when entering a home or yurt.
- Don’t photograph military sites, airports or government buildings.
- Don’t underestimate distances; drives between major cities can take a full day.
- Don’t head into the high mountains without a driver or guide who knows the roads.
Kazakhstan at a glance
Plan Kazakhstan with Haqqi Tours
Every option is confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you pay, and delivered by our own people or by trusted local partners we work with in every city. Because we send travellers from all over the world, our partners give us special rates and priority, so you always receive the best. Prices are per person unless marked per vehicle.
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Where we operate in Kazakhstan
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask most about Kazakhstan.
Is it safe to visit Kazakhstan?
Kazakhstan is generally a calm and welcoming country for visitors, and Almaty and Astana feel orderly, modern and easy to navigate. Use everyday city sense, choose licensed taxis or a private driver, and prepare properly for mountain weather. Check your own government’s official travel advice before departure, and keep our WhatsApp line handy throughout your stay.
How many days do I need for a first trip to Kazakhstan?
Seven to ten days works well for a first trip to Kazakhstan. Spend four or five days in Almaty with day tours to Charyn Canyon, Big Almaty Lake and the Kolsai Lakes, then add two or three days in Astana or the Silk Road cities of Turkistan and Shymkent, linked by flight or train.
What is the best way to travel between Kazakhstan's major cities?
Domestic flights are the quickest way to cover Kazakhstan’s long distances, linking Almaty with Astana and Shymkent in under two hours. Trains are comfortable and scenic, including overnight sleepers that save a hotel night. We issue both flight and train tickets, and our private transfers can meet you at the airport or station.
Can a trip to Kazakhstan be tailored for luxury or private travel?
Yes. Almaty and Astana have elegant international hotels, and mountain lodges offer quiet comfort near the lakes. Our team arranges private airport transfers, private day tours with a dedicated driver and guide, and seamless flight and train connections, working with trusted local partners who give our travellers priority and special attention.
Is Kazakhstan tourist friendly?
Increasingly so. Kazakhstan has simplified entry for many nationalities, Almaty’s hotels and restaurants are used to international guests, and signs in major cities often include English. Outside the cities English is less common, so a guide or driver makes a real difference. Kazakh hospitality is famously warm, and our team is always a message away.
Is it safe to travel to Kazakhstan now?
Travel to Kazakhstan generally runs smoothly, but conditions anywhere can change, including the weather on mountain roads. Check your own government’s official travel advice shortly before you go, follow local guidance in the national parks and keep our WhatsApp line handy, so our team can adapt your transfers, tickets or day tours if needed.
What is the best time to visit Kazakhstan?
May to June and September to early October are the best times to visit Kazakhstan, with mild weather, clear mountain views and comfortable sightseeing. July and August suit high mountain hikes but can be hot on the steppe. December to March is ideal for skiing near Almaty, though the north is extremely cold.
What is Kazakhstan famous for?
Kazakhstan is famous for its endless steppe, the snowy Tian Shan above Almaty, Charyn Canyon and turquoise mountain lakes, and a nomadic heritage of yurts, horses and the dombra. It is also known as the homeland of the wild apple, for Silk Road monuments in Turkistan, Baikonur’s space launches and Astana’s futuristic architecture.
Which cities in Kazakhstan does Haqqi Tours cover?
Almaty. Each city has its own page with everything available there, and a trip across several cities is planned in one WhatsApp conversation.
What can I book in Kazakhstan?
Day tours, private airport transfers, flight tickets and train tickets - all run or confirmed by Haqqi Tours, each with a fixed price agreed on WhatsApp before you pay.
How do I book a tour or transfer in Kazakhstan?
Fill in the form on the page you are interested in, or message us on WhatsApp with the date, the number of travellers and your hotel. A member of our team confirms the price and the details in writing within minutes.
Are the prices fixed?
Yes. Every price is agreed in writing on WhatsApp before you travel and does not change on the day - not for traffic, not for a late flight, not for the hour.
Do you arrange transfers between cities in Kazakhstan?
Yes. Intercity transfers by private car or van are booked the same way as airport transfers; tell the desk the two hotels and the date and it quotes a fixed price for the whole vehicle.
Can you plan a full itinerary across Kazakhstan?
Yes - tell the desk your dates, the cities you want and who is travelling, and it proposes a day-by-day plan with the tours, transfers and tickets priced in writing. You adjust it in the same chat before confirming.
Are your tours private or in a group?
Both exist, and the page of each tour says which. Private tours have a car and guide for your party alone; small-group tours share a guide with a few other travellers. The desk can convert most group tours into a private day on request.
Do the drivers and guides speak Arabic?
It depends on the country, the city and the day, so we do not promise a particular language for the driver or guide. Tell us your preference and we do our best; the WhatsApp desk itself always works in Arabic and English.