Kazakhstan

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.