Plan a Kazakhstan holiday from India around Almaty, Medeu and Shymbulak and the mountain lakes. Land-only packages with visa help. Get a free itinerary.
Handpicked by our Kazakhstan (Almaty) experts
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*Approximate price per person, excl. GST. Contact us for exact pricing.
At a glance
Kazakhstan is a large country in Central Asia. Almaty and Astana are the two main international gateways, and both are the most relevant arrival points for Indian visitors. Almaty sits against mountain scenery, with Medeu and Shymbulak for alpine views and skiing. Astana adds modern architecture, and the wider country includes Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes and the Mangystau region.
Our packages focus on Almaty and its mountains. The four-night Almaty Winter Snow 4N covers Medeu and Shymbulak, Big Almaty Lake and a flexible snow day. The five-night Almaty Shymbulak and Kolsai Lakes 5N adds a day visit to Kolsai Lakes.
Both packages are land-only, so flights to and from Almaty are booked separately, and both include visa assistance. Before you choose dates, read the Kazakhstan travel guide and best time to visit Kazakhstan.
Why go
Almaty the main city gateway, set against nearby mountain scenery.
Medeu and Shymbulak alpine views and skiing, with winter as the ski season.
Big Almaty Lake one of the top attractions listed around Almaty's mountains.
Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake lake areas listed among the top attractions, with Kolsai in our five-night package.
Charyn Canyon a canyon listed among Kazakhstan's top attractions.
Astana modern architecture and the second main international gateway.
Where to go
Sits against nearby mountain scenery and is one of the two main gateways to Kazakhstan. It is the base for our packages.
Known for modern architecture, and one of the two main international gateways.
Listed among the top attractions, alongside Almaty's nearby mountain scenery.
Listed among Kazakhstan's top attractions for its dramatic landscape.
Listed among Kazakhstan's top attractions, with Kolsai Lakes and the country's lake districts.
Listed among Kazakhstan's top attractions, with Kaindy Lake and the country's lake districts.
Known for dramatic steppe and desert landscapes.
Known for alpine views and skiing, with winter as the main ski season.
Season guide
May to mid-June and September suit most visitors, with comfortable weather and open mountain trails. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, and summer suits lakes and the Caspian coast. Winter, from December to March, suits skiing, though January and February are very cold. Late April is good for the wild tulip bloom. See the full best time to visit Kazakhstan guide.
Day by day
Based on our Almaty Shymbulak & Kolsai Lakes 5N package. Your trip expert can stretch or shorten any day.
Land at Almaty International Airport (ALA) and meet your driver for the transfer to your hotel. Check in and rest after the journey. In the evening, take a short walk to get your bearings in the city. Keep the first day light, because the lake and mountain days ahead need warm clothing and energy.
Spend the day in the mountains above Almaty, at Medeu and Shymbulak, for the alpine views. You can ski if you have booked that, or simply enjoy the scenery. Winter conditions change quickly, so check lift and road status on the day. Pack warm layers, gloves and a windproof jacket, and eat a good lunch before you go up.
Visit Big Almaty Lake and enjoy the mountain scenery that surrounds Almaty. Plan an unhurried morning, because mountain weather and road conditions can change at short notice. Return to the city in the afternoon for rest. Keep the evening simple after a full day outdoors, and keep water with you on the mountain roads.
Take a day visit to Kolsai Lakes, one of the lake areas listed among Kazakhstan's top attractions. Roads outside the main corridors can vary, and autumn and winter weather can change fast, so your planner confirms the timing with you before the day. Pack warm layers, water and snacks. Return to your Almaty hotel in the evening.
Use this day for Medeu and Shymbulak, Big Almaty Lake or a rest day in the city, depending on weather and your interests. Tell your planner your choice before the day, so we can arrange what is needed. Kaindy Lake can be added as an optional stop if road and weather conditions allow, and we confirm it before you travel.
Enjoy breakfast and check out. Your driver takes you to Almaty International Airport for your departure flight, leaving enough time for traffic and check-in. Flights are booked separately, so confirm your departure time with your planner. If your flight is late in the day, use the morning for a last walk or some shopping.
Budget guide
Accommodation, intercity transport and private transfers are usually the major costs in Kazakhstan. Local food and public transport tend to cost less than in Western Europe, especially outside premium tourist areas. Costs vary between major cities, mountain resorts and remote regions. Read Kazakhstan trip cost for what to confirm before you book.
FAQs
Quick answers to what travellers ask before booking a Kazakhstan (Almaty) trip. Ask your trip expert anything else.
Four to five nights covers the main Almaty highlights in our packages: mountain scenery, a lake visit and a flexible day. Five nights adds a Kolsai Lakes day visit. Our research does not give a full route for Astana or the Mangystau region, so plan those with your planner before you commit to a longer trip.
May to mid-June and September suit most visitors, with comfortable weather and open mountain trails. Late April suits the wild tulip bloom. December to March is the season for skiing, but January and February are very cold. Read the [best time to visit guide](/kazakhstan-travel-guide/best-time-to-visit/) for more detail.
No. Our packages are land-only, so flights to and from Almaty or Astana are booked separately. Our planners can suggest timings from your city. Visa assistance is included, and visa fees are separate.
Our research does not yet include verified visa rules for Kazakhstan, so confirm the current requirements with the official source before you book. Our packages include visa assistance, and visa fees are separate. See the [visa guide for Indians](/visa/kazakhstan-visa-for-indians/).
Kazakh is the official language, and Russian is very widely spoken in daily life, business and tourism. English is available in larger cities and tourist areas, but Russian is more useful outside high-end hotels and major attractions.
The currency is the Kazakhstani tenge (KZT). Our research does not include current prices for hotels, meals, taxis or tickets, so check costs closer to your travel date. Ask your planner for a written quote that lists every inclusion.
Kazakhstan is generally considered usable and relatively stable for tourists, especially in major cities and mainstream tourist areas. Standard precautions still apply. Watch for theft in crowded places, and plan for mountain weather, long road distances and winter ice.
Almaty International Airport (ALA) and Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in Astana (NQZ) are the main gateways for leisure and business travel. Our packages start from Almaty. Confirm flight times with your planner, because our research does not include verified timings.
The metro, buses, taxis and ride-hailing apps are the usual options in the city. Our packages include private-vehicle transfers and sightseeing as listed in your itinerary. Ask your planner for the day plan before each outing.
Our research does not give verified routes between countries. If you want to see more of the region, browse our [Uzbekistan tour packages](/uzbekistan-tour-packages/), since Uzbekistan is a neighbouring country. Ask your planner before combining trips, and confirm any border or visa rules with official sources.
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