Kazakhstan Tour

Kazakhstan Tour Packages: The Complete Travel Guide

Forget about ignoring Kazakhstan; this isn’t possible anymore! Free visa access to the territory of the country for more than 80 nationalities, introduction of a new entry system, and changing nature from desert to alpine glaciers in one day have made Kazakhstan an important travel destination.

Here is how you can select your Kazakhstan tour package. This cool article covers all the points that are gonna pop up in your mind while planning.

Why Kazakhstan Is Worth It!

Many tourists tend to imagine a flat and uniform steppe. This vision is incorrect since it accounts for roughly 90 percent of the country.

The south and southeast parts of the country are flanked by the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain chain, a branch of the Tian Shan. If you travel 30 minutes from the center of the city, you will find yourself in the Ile-Alatau National Park where hiking trails cross the pine forest before reaching the perpetual snows. Travel another hour to the east, and you'll reach the Charyn Canyon with its red sandstone cliffs towering over the canyon floor. The Charyn Canyon is said to be similar to the American Southwest, which can be considered quite accurate.

This is the selling point, which is a rather good one indeed. The country is worth visiting in itself. If not, you can use it as a starting point on your Central Asian Silk Route tour combining visits to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Entry: Qaz ETA and What You Need to Know

The visa-free entry policy of Kazakhstan allows visa-free entry to more than 80 nations, including India (visa on arrival for 30 days), European Union, United Kingdom, United States, and most nations in Southeast Asia. However, there is a new development that tourists selecting a Kazakhstan tour package must not overlook.

As Kazakhstan has introduced a new app called QazETA for visa-exempt individuals. Introduced as a pilot project and extended up to the end of 2025, the portal now features the ETA facility, besides its already existing eVisa and eResidency portals.

That's how you should proceed right now: The application process happens via the official mobile application only. A passenger has to register, provide his/her passport data, fill out the form, declare necessary things, and submit an application up to 72 hours before the flight.

During the pilot stage, an ETA is optional but will be mandatory soon. Actually, it's guaranteed that very soon, an ETA will become a necessary procedure to enter Kazakhstan without a visa.

Practically speaking, you should download QazETA from the App Store or Google Play beforehand and apply for a few days in advance. The service is currently free of charge.

After arriving in Kazakhstan, you will be required to register your presence through the e-Qonaq system within three business days if you are not staying in hotels but rather privately. The currency used here is Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). Although cards can be used in most hotels in Almaty, carrying some cash is advisable when visiting the bazaars.

Almaty: The Starting Point for Most Kazakhstan Tour Packages

Almost every route takes travelers through Almaty. This is the largest city located at an altitude of 900 meters.

On a good day, one can see the ridges of the mountains from the streets of the city. The most convenient place for day excursions is Almaty, where you should plan a two to three-day stay before going any further. Spend your hour most efficiently in the Green Bazaar of the city.

The Zenkov (Ascension) Cathedral is known for its unique design as it was erected in 1904, almost wholly out of wood, without nails, and colored in candy colors with the mountains and pines forming a picturesque background behind it. In regard to entertainment, you should definitely try the apple structure on Kok Tobe hill, which gets its name ("Father of Apples") from the city.

For your night transportation needs, Yandex Go will be the best solution for you, as it provides services similar to Uber but costs much less.

The Alpine Circuit: Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy, and Big Almaty Lake

This is what most visitors come for, and it delivers.

The Big Almaty Lake can be reached in 40 minutes by car after passing the military checkpoint (passport needed). The lake lies at an altitude of 2,500 m and features a bright blue color due to glacial minerals.

The trip to Kolsai Lakes takes either the whole day or night, taking about four hours from Almaty. Kolsai Lakes trekking path passes through three lakes at varying levels surrounded by coniferous forest. You can easily reach the first lake while you will need several hours hiking to get to the other two lakes.

Kaindy Lake is situated 10 km away from Kolsai, and should definitely be added to your itinerary while visiting Kolsai. The most unique thing about Kaindy Lake is its submerged forest. Pine trees, which were killed after an earthquake in 1911 caused the formation of the lake by damming up the valley, remain standing in this turquoise water.

If you are planning to visit all three lakes in your Kazakhstan tour package, then you will need at least 3-4 days.

Charyn Canyon and Altyn-Emel

Charyn Canyon, about 2 hours away by road from Almaty, is famous for its Valley of Castles – an area of sandstone formations, which spans about 2 kilometers and is walkable in less than an hour. The total length of the canyon chain, formed by the erosion of the Charyn River, is 154 kilometers. Tourist excursions here typically take a whole day, although it is also possible to camp inside the park.

Altyn-Emel National Park is in between the city of Almaty and the Chinese border. Its main feature is the Singing Dunes, a 200-meter-tall dune field, which emits a low-frequency noise when the wind blows through it. Another independent excursion destination for tourists outside Almaty is the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Tamgaly Petroglyphs, a set of rock drawings dating back five thousand years.

Shymbulak, Medeo, and Winter Options

Kazakhstan's reputation for being outdoors does not end when winter sets in. There is the Shymbulak Mountain Skiing Resort located above Almaty, which provides skiing between November and April at a height of 2,200 meters. It also has a gondola lift from the foot of the mountain leading down to Medeo Ice Skating Arena, the highest-speed skating oval in the world.

Astana: A Different Kind of Kazakhstan

Two hours north of Almaty lies Astana, which serves as a comparison city. In less than a decade, the former railhead was developed from a Soviet city to be the new capital of Kazakhstan, and its architecture presents an interesting debate among schools of thought in that field. These include the landmark Baiterek tower, the huge translucent tent of the Khan Shatyr shopping center designed by Norman Foster, and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.

In terms of space history, visiting the Baikonur Cosmodrome takes at least a day-long journey from either Astana or Almaty. Here Yuri Gagarin took off in 1961, and this is where Soyuz missions continue to launch from. Booking ahead is mandatory.

Kazakh Nomadic Culture: What to Look For

Yurt accommodation tours can be booked as an inclusion within almost all Kazakhstan tour packages in the alpine areas surrounding Kolsai and Kaindy. Not fake, but rather authentic yurt accommodations have been set up in the foothills of the Tian Shan by numerous families that continue to use them as their summer dwellings. Guests will enjoy meals, rides on horses, and learn about the evolution of the nomad culture in Kazakhstan.

Tamgali Petroglyphs, a UNESCO heritage site, represents a more ancient stage in this development. The petroglyphs reflect Bronze Age rituals as well as animal depictions located near the remote site which is only a couple hours drive from Almaty city.

FAQs About Kazakhstan Tour Packages

Are Kazakhstan tour packages suitable for first-time visitors?

Yes! The country of Kazakhstan is considered one of the most convenient Central Asian nations for tourists visiting for the first time, as most of the popular spots have proper facilities, and ride-sharing services are available. Plus, most of the tours provided include accommodation as well as transport arrangements.

Do I need a visa to travel to Kazakhstan?

There are several nationalities that have the advantage of visa-free entry into Kazakhstan. It is recommended that travelers should familiarize themselves with the latest rules on the QazETA electronic travel authorization prior to departure since entry regulations keep changing.

Is Kazakhstan safe for tourists?

Kazakhstan can be said to be one of the safest places to visit among the nations of Central Asia. Travelers should exercise normal security measures when moving around, especially within markets and transportation centers, but they do not experience many problems throughout their stay in the nation.

Enough chat. Time to pack your bags!

What makes Kazakhstan special is the huge range of things on offer for travelers who go off the beaten track. A trip there will enable you to transition from the bustling city streets into the high mountain lakes, vast deserts, canyons, and ancient nomadic settlements. It is difficult to find another destination where travelers can enjoy such geographical diversity in just one trip.

When developing Kazakhstan tours, the most effective option is one that includes all regions of the country. This tour will be convenient to start in the city of Almaty and include visits to various tourist attractions, including Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, Charyn Canyon, and Astana. Taking into consideration easy access requirements and affordable prices, this destination stands out among other Central Asian countries.

Therefore, the Kazakhstan tour package is worth paying attention to.