Discover Kazakhstan, the 9th largest country in the world, with our comprehensive guide. Explore top hiking trails and travel tips for an unforgettable adventure. Let us show you the best options for hiking and traveling in this vast and beautiful land.
Kaskelen–Prohodnoe Trek – 6-Day Expedition Across Zailiyskiy Alatau
From $370/person
Easy
The Helipad Walk
From $43/person
Hard
Guided Hike to Peak Akusticheskiy / Myuztau (3,453 m)
From $91/person
Moderate
Hobbit’s Waterfall – The Easiest Walk in the Almaty Mountains
From $50/person
Medium
Day Hike to Sarkyrama Waterfall near Medeo
From $54/person
Hard
Guided Climb of Peak Chkalova (3,932 m) – 1B Route in the Tuyuk-Su Cirque
From $166/person
Very Hard
Peak Akbulak (3,460 m) & Issyk-Bash (3,917 m) – 3-Day Expedition from Ak-Bulak Resort
From $178/person
Hard
Guided Climb of Peak Yukon (3,540 m)
From $147/person
Hard
Almaty-Alagir Pass Trek (3,655 m) – 2-Day Hike from Prohodnoe Gorge to Big Almaty Lake
From $147/person
Very Hard
Guided Climb of Peak VOV (4,050 m) – The Remote Four-Thousander of Tuyuk-Su
From $178/person
Very Hard
Guided Climb of Kholodnye Perya (3,970 m) – The Cold Feathers of the Tuyuk-Su Ridge
From $145/person
Very Hard
Guided Climb of Peak Aksayskiy (3,735 m) – Day Ascent via Yukon in the Aksay Gorge
From $75/person
Very Hard
Guided Climb of Peak Asker (3,250 m) – Multi-Route Rock Wall in Devil’s Gorge
From $168/person
Very Hard
Guided Trek to Peak Issyk-Bash (3,917 m) – 2-3 Day Expedition from Ak-Bulak
From $145/person
Very Hard
Guided Climb of Peak Amangeldy (3,999 m)
From $145/person
Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, and its landscapes change completely as you cross it - glaciated peaks on the Chinese border, red sandstone canyons, singing dunes, chalk deserts on the Caspian, and pine-covered granite in the Altai. These are the routes we guide, region by region.
Most visitors start in the Ile (Zailiysky) Alatau above Almaty, where the trailheads are 30-60 minutes from the city and the peaks pass 5,000 m. It is the most accessible serious mountain range in Central Asia, and where the majority of our tours run.
East of the city, Charyn cuts a 150 m deep canyon of red sandstone through the steppe, and the Kolsai Lakes hold three turquoise lakes in Tien Shan spruce forest, an easy pairing with the sunken forest at Kaindy. North-east, Altyn-Emel has the Singing Dune, the striped Aktau chalk mountains and Przewalski horses. Turgen Gorge adds waterfalls and hot springs in a single valley.
Further out, Mangystau on the Caspian is the strangest landscape in the country - chalk cliffs, stone spheres and salt flats reached by 4×4 - and the Kazakh Altai in the east offers granite-framed lakes and deep-powder skiing.
Every tour is private, guided in English, and includes transport from the nearest city, lunch and park fees. Browse the routes below, or see all national parks of Kazakhstan.
Planning a trip across Kazakhstan
Distances are large and the seasons differ sharply between regions. The mountains around Almaty are at their best from mid-June to mid-September for high routes, with May and October ideal for lower trails and autumn colour. The desert regions - Charyn, Altyn-Emel, Mangystau - are far more comfortable in spring and autumn than in the summer heat.
If you have a week, our 7-day Almaty itinerary combines mountains, canyon and lakes without backtracking. For shorter visits, the best day trips from Almaty reach most of the headline sights and return the same evening.
All tours are 100% private, with an English-speaking guide, round-trip transport, lunch and national park fees included. You pay nothing until we confirm your date - see booking and FAQ.
Plan your hike with us
A few quick questions and we will email you a tailored hike plan & quote.
