Adventure Activities in Kazakhstan
Trekking, skiing, rafting, riding and desert trips, from easy days out of Almaty to full expeditions
Last reviewed on 2 November 2026
Kazakhstan's best outdoor activities are trekking and skiing in the Tien Shan above Almaty, 4WD trips through the Mangystau desert, horse riding on high pastures and wildlife watching on the steppe. The range is unusually wide: 7,000-metre peaks in the south-east, the Karagiye Depression 132 metres below sea level in the west, and alpine lakes, canyons and sand dunes in between.
Infrastructure varies just as much. Shymbulak is a modern ski resort half an hour from Almaty, while the Ustyurt Plateau needs complete self-sufficiency. This guide shows what is realistic, when to go and when to hire a guide. Use it with our Kazakhstan itineraries and the best time to visit guide.
Best Time for Each Activity
Summer suits the mountains, spring and autumn suit the deserts, and winter is for skiing.
| Activity | Best months | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Trekking | June–September | Almaty, Saty, Katon-Karagai |
| High-altitude climbing | July–August | Almaty |
| Skiing and snowboarding | December–April | Almaty, Oskemen |
| Rafting | May–June, with snowmelt | Almaty |
| Desert 4WD trips | April–May, September–October | Aktau |
| Horse riding | May–October | Saty, Almaty |
| Eagle hunting festivals | October | East Kazakhstan |
Trekking & Hiking
The easiest good hiking starts on Almaty's doorstep, and the most remote is in the Altai. Trails are rarely marked to European standards, so download offline maps first: 2GIS works in the cities, and Organic Maps or OsmAnd are better on trails.
Trans-Ili Alatau, near Almaty
These are the mountains you can see from the city. The Kok-Zhailau plateau is a popular day hike with meadows and city views, Furmanov Peak (about 3,050m) is a demanding full day, and Big Almaty Peak (3,681m) rises above Big Almaty Lake. Our guide to day trips from Almaty shows what fits into a day.
Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy
The classic walk is the 8km hike from the lower to the middle Kolsai lake, based in Saty. The upper lake is another 3–4 hours on, inside the border zone with Kyrgyzstan, so carry your passport. The Sary-Bulak pass beyond is not a legal border crossing, and older route descriptions that continue to Issyk-Kul should be ignored. Lake Kaindy is a short walk down from its car park rather than a trek.
Altai Mountains, East Kazakhstan
The Altai is the wildest option: long valleys, the Rakhmanov Springs and views towards Belukha (4,506m), reached from Oskemen. The short season runs from about July to August, the area is remote, and a local operator is the practical choice because parts of it lie near the border.
Further Afield
Aksu-Zhabagly, near Shymkent, has spring meadows and gorges, with guesthouses in Zhabagly village. Borovoe offers gentle forest and lakeside walks a few hours from Astana.
Mountaineering & Climbing
Serious mountaineering here means Khan Tengri or the peaks above Almaty, and all of it needs experience or a professional guide.
- Khan Tengri (7,010m): a striking pyramid on the Kazakhstan–Kyrgyzstan–China border and the country's highest peak. Expeditions run in July and August and typically use base camps at around 4,000m on the Inylchek glacier, reached by helicopter from Karkara. Plan on about three weeks, with previous high-altitude experience.
- Talgar Peak (4,979m): the highest peak of the Trans-Ili Alatau and a serious objective close to Almaty.
- Abai Peak (4,010m): a popular training peak accessible from Almaty.
Kan Tengri (kantengri.kz) is the long-established Almaty specialist for Khan Tengri expeditions. High-altitude cover is rarely included in standard travel insurance, so check your policy.
Skiing & Winter Sports
Skiing runs from about December to April, and the three main resorts are all within reach of Almaty. Prices rose across the country in the 2025/26 season, and new tariffs usually appear each autumn, so check before you travel.
Shymbulak
- Runs from about 2,260m to 3,200m at the Talgar Pass
- Gondola from Medeu, about 30 minutes from central Almaty
- Day pass roughly 15,000–25,000₸, more on peak dates
- Full details in our Shymbulak guide
Oi-Qaragai
- In Almaty region, also known as Lesnaya Skazka
- Good for families and mixed groups
- Published day-pass prices vary widely, so check the resort's site
Ak Bulak
- Near Talgar, east of Almaty
- Smaller and quieter, and good for beginners
- Weekday day pass about 5,800₸ in 2025/26
East Kazakhstan
- Altai ski bases near Oskemen
- Generally cheaper than the Almaty cluster, though the gap is narrowing
Off-Piste and Backcountry
There is plenty of ungroomed terrain around the resorts, but avalanche risk is high. Go only with a local guide, proper avalanche equipment and insurance that covers off-piste skiing.
Other Winter Activities
The high-altitude Medeu rink near Almaty is closed for reconstruction until around late 2027, but Borovoe's resorts have groomed cross-country trails, and frozen Lake Kaindy draws specialist ice-diving trips. Ice fishing is popular on the Kapchagay reservoir and at Borovoe.
Rafting, Lakes & Water Sports
Rafting depends on snowmelt, so May and June are usually the strongest months, while lake activities are best in high summer.
- Ili River: the gentle, family-friendly option, with trips passing the Tamgaly Tas rock carvings.
- Charyn River: more demanding water through Charyn Canyon, for experienced paddlers and dependent on snowmelt.
- Chilik River: expert-only, expedition-style rafting in a remote setting.
- Kapchagay reservoir: the summer water-sports playground near Konaev (formerly Kapchagay), north of Almaty.
- Lake Alakol and the Caspian: beach holidays in the east and at Aktau, in the west.
- Borovoe lakes: boating and paddling in a forest setting. See the Borovoe guide.
- Lake Kaindy diving: the sunken forest can be dived, but at 2–6°C all year it needs a drysuit, experience and equipment brought from Almaty.
Big Almaty Lake is not for swimming or water sports, because it supplies Almaty's drinking water. Fishing usually needs a permit, which is sold locally; at Kolsai, for example, you should ask at the lake.
Horse Riding, Biking & Paragliding
You do not need to be experienced to ride here, because guides match horses to riders and short rides are sold at most tourist sites.
- Horse riding: day rides are easy to arrange around Kolsai, where about 3,000₸ an hour is typical. Longer trips run on the Assy Plateau and in the Altai, usually between May and October.
- Mountain biking: Shymbulak has downhill and cross-country trails with bike carriage on the lifts in summer, and bikes can be rented at Borovoe.
- Paragliding: flying is possible on the Ushkonyr plateau near Almaty and from Shymbulak, mostly from May to October. Check your pilot's experience and that your insurance covers it.
Eagle Hunting & Wildlife
The best time to see eagle hunters is October, when the Shygys Salburyny festival brings them together in East Kazakhstan. The 2026 edition ran from 8 to 10 October in Ulan district, with falconers from nine countries expected, and it is on the national events calendar. Our guide to Kazakh traditions explains where this fits into nomadic life.
- Birds: Korgalzhyn, south-west of Astana, is known for its flamingos, and spring and autumn migrations are the best times to visit.
- Kulan and gazelle: Altyn-Emel National Park is the easiest place to see wild kulan, alongside the Singing Dunes.
- Mountain wildlife: Aksu-Zhabagly is one of the oldest reserves in Central Asia. Snow leopards live in the Ile-Alatau range, but sightings are very rare.
- Saiga antelope: these roam the central steppe of Betpak-Dala; go only with a specialist operator.
Desert & Steppe Adventures
Mangystau is the country's best desert trip: chalk pinnacles at Boszhira, underground mosques and the Valley of Balls, reached on 3–5 day 4WD tours from Aktau. Go in April–May or September–October, because summer temperatures exceed 40°C.
- Ustyurt Plateau: remote cliffs and desert beyond Mangystau; you need a 4WD, GPS and complete self-sufficiency.
- Aral Sea: ship graveyards near Aralsk tell the story of the sea's retreat.
- Silk Road sites: Turkestan, Otrar and Sauran, plus the UNESCO-listed petroglyphs at Tamgaly near Almaty. Taraz adds Aisha Bibi and an ancient city site.
Planning Your Adventure
Fees and Permits
- National park fees are set in monthly index units and rise each January
- Charyn costs 865₸ per person a day on foot in 2026
- Carry your passport in border zones
- Your operator can arrange border permits where they are needed
What to Bring
- Broken-in hiking boots and a layering system
- Waterproofs, even in summer
- Strong sun protection at altitude
- First aid kit and water purification
- Offline maps and a power bank
Staying Safe
- Do not trek alone; tell someone your return time
- Get insurance covering altitude and evacuation
- Expect no mobile signal in remote areas
- Read our safety guide before you go
Booking
- Group tours cost less than private ones
- Visit Almaty is the city's official tourism site
- Kan Tengri and Advantour run guided trips
- Almaty hostels often organise shared cars
- Our transport guide covers car hire and drivers
Adventure Activities in Kazakhstan: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best outdoor activities in Kazakhstan?
The highlights are hiking in the mountains above Almaty and at the Kolsai Lakes, skiing at Shymbulak, 4WD trips through the Mangystau desert, horse riding on summer pastures and wildlife watching in Altyn-Emel.
Can you ski in Kazakhstan?
Yes. The season runs from about December to April, and the main resorts are Shymbulak, Oi-Qaragai and Ak Bulak near Almaty. Shymbulak day passes cost roughly 15,000–25,000₸, with more on peak dates.
What is the best hiking near Almaty?
Good day hikes include the Kok-Zhailau plateau and the trails around Big Almaty Lake. For a longer trip, base yourself in Saty and walk from the lower to the middle Kolsai lake.
Do I need a guide for trekking in Kazakhstan?
Not for popular day hikes, although you should never walk alone. Use a reputable operator for remote treks, glacier routes and the Altai, where mobile coverage is limited and rescue can be hours away.
Can you dive in Lake Kaindy?
Yes, but it is cold-water diving at 2–6°C all year. You need a drysuit, experience and equipment brought from Almaty, and specialist ice-diving trips run in winter.
Where can you see eagle hunting in Kazakhstan?
The Shygys Salburyny festival in East Kazakhstan is the main event, held in October in recent years. Check the current dates and venue on the regional tourism channels, because they change.