Our Kazakhstan vacations & tours
Our Kazakhstan vacations explore one of the largest countries on the planet, and one that still sees few international visitors – an immensely enticing prospect for adventurous travelers. With tourism still in its infancy here, our vacations help establish best practices for environmental protection and community benefits. National park entrance fees in places such as Altyn Emel and Aksu-Dzhabagly help fund the conservation of endangered wildlife like snow leopards and Tien Shan brown bears, while our horse riding expeditions take great care to avoid polluting nearby water sources. Kazakhstan can be seen briefly on our overland Silk Road tours but this is a vast country and a week or longer still in the company of a local guide will prove truly amazing.
Our top trips
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan adventure tour
From
US $3345 to US $3795
11 days
ex flights
Explore the futuristic and ancient from Astana to Bishek
Small group2027: 6 Apr, 13 Apr, 20 Apr, 27 Apr, 1 May, 4 May, 15 May, 18 May, 29 May, 1 Jun, 7 Aug, 17 Aug, 28 Aug, 7 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 28 Sep, 9 Oct, 2028: 4 Apr, 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 2 May, 13 May, 16 May, 27 May, 30 May, 5 Aug, 15 Aug, 26 Aug, 5 Sep, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 23 Sep, 26 Sep, 7 Oct
Kazakhstan horse riding vacation
From
NZ $5775
16 days
ex flights
Explore eastern Kazakhstan's dramatic Altai range by horse
Small group2027: 12 Jun, 3 Jul, 24 Jul
Kazakhstan small group tour
From
£4299 to £4475
15 days
ex flights
The best national parks and the remote region of Mangistau
Small group2027: 15 May, 18 Sep, 2028: 13 May, 16 Sep
Horseback riding vacation in Kazakhstan
From
US $3999
8 days
ex flights
Tour Kazakhstan's Katon-Karagay National Park on horseback
Tailor made
The Silk Road small group tour
From
US $5750 to US $6080
16 days
ex flights
Discover the Silk Road in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China
Small group2027: 13 May, 16 May, 20 May, 10 Jun, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 5 Sep, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 19 Sep, 23 Sep, 7 Oct, 14 Oct
Five Stans adventure tour, Silk Road odyssey
From
US $9949
4 weeks
ex flights
Epic Silk Road journey through Central Asia’s Five Stans.
Small group2027: 5 Jun, 3 Jul
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan overland tour
From
£1228
15 days
ex flights
Overland camping adventure through Central Asia's wilderness
Small group2027: 19 Jun, 9 Aug
Bishkek to Beijing overland vacation
From
£4246
36 days
ex flights
An overland camping adventure off the tourist trail
Small group2027: 19 Jun
London to Shanghai escorted rail adventure
From
£24770
6 weeks
ex flights
Flight free rail adventure from London to Shanghai
Small group2027: 14 Mar
See all our Kazakhstan vacationsContact Us
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Kazakhstan map & highlights
Most travelers flying into Kazakhstan will arrive into Almaty, which gives easy access to landscapes such as Altyn Emel National Park and Issyk Lake. Silk Road vacations may fly into the city from Tashkent in Uzbekistan, or take their time entering Kazakhstan from the southwestern desert, traveling overland to Almaty via the ancient cities of Turkestan and Sauran. Almaty is also a manageable drive from Bishkek, in Kyrgyzstan, so wider Central Asia tours will often enter or depart Kazakhstan traveling overland between these two cities. Within Kazakhstan, the southern region is usually explored overland – but those heading to the remote Altai Mountains and Lake Markakol will need to take an internal flight from Almaty to Ust-Kamenogorsk. From here, particularly intrepid overland voyages continue into Russia or across into Mongolia.
1.
Almaty
2. Altyn-Emel National Park
3. Lake Issyk
4. Eastern Kazakhstan & Altai Mountains
5. Silk Road
6. Turkistan
2. Altyn-Emel National Park
3. Lake Issyk
4. Eastern Kazakhstan & Altai Mountains
5. Silk Road
6. Turkistan
Almaty
1. Almaty
Once the nation’s capital, still the favoured city of many Kazakhs, thanks to its pleasant climate, snowcapped mountain backdrop and cosmopolitan vibe. Modern Almaty certainly displays Kazakhstan’s wealth in its glitzy downtown streets, but more classic sights include the wooden Zhenkov Cathedral, built without nails. Take a daytrip to the Tamgaly petroglyphs – carved into the rock during the Bronze Age.
Altyn-Emel National Park
2. Altyn-Emel National Park
This national park protects around 4,600km² of bleak desert and rocky landscapes. It is known for its “singing dunes” which whistle when the wind blows. The sliver-like Charyn National Park sits just to the south, encompassing the 100m-deep Charyn Canyon. This has been compared to the Grand Canyon thanks to its dramatic and colourful rock formations, including the impressive “Valley of Castles.”
Lake Issyk
3. Lake Issyk
An alpine lake sitting at an altitude of 1,760m, Lake Issyk was created quite suddenly when a landslide dammed a valley 8,000 years ago. Explore this stunning turquoise lake, surrounded by snow-dusted mountains, on daytrips from Almaty or en route to the neighbouring national park. Walk through wildflower filled meadows and dense forests, and visit nearby Turgen Gorge, with its high waterfalls.
Eastern Kazakhstan & Altai Mountains
4. Eastern Kazakhstan & Altai Mountains
If you’re the kind of traveler who finds Kazakhstan a bit too “mainstream”, head to the far east and the Altai Mountains for a real taste of wilderness. Take a cruise across one of the world’s largest reservoirs, camp on the tranquil shores of Lake Markakol, drive over high mountain passes, and meet nomadic families and ‘Old Believers’ – who practice a 17th century version of Orthodox Christianity.
Silk Road
5. Silk Road
You won’t find any “Silk Road” street signs in Kazakhstan; this near-mythical trail is more of a concept than a physical route, but as this massive country forms a vast obstacle between Europe and East Asia, it was crisscrossed for centuries by traders and merchants, as well as Mongol warriors. Modern travelers will find ruined cities, magnificent mausoleums and the remains of ancient fortresses.
Turkistan
6. Turkistan
A 1,500-year-old city emerging from the Kazakh Desert, Turkestan was a kind of oasis for Silk Road traders. Its massive, 14th century mausoleum complex is now a UNESCO site, as well as a place of pilgrimage for Soviet Muslims. Base yourself here for trips out to the ruins Sauran and Otrar, once great cities that survived Mongol invasions and which played important roles with Genghis Khan and Silk Road traders.
Latest reviews
4.4
44Kazakhstan vacations reviews
Sally Williams19 Oct 2026
5 Stars at least. The 3 week trip to the '5 Stans' was amazing! We couldn't point to any single highlight as the 5 countries were completely different and unexpected new experiences every day.read more
Michael Whitehouse14 Oct 2026
This was a terrific experience and one I’d recommend to anyone who enjoys the journey as much as the destination.read more
Anna-Christina Mitchell30 Sep 2026
Amazing. Would 100% recommend for anyone who loves nature and the outdoors.read more
Vaughan Wilton23 Sep 2026
An excellent vacation, adventuring into new places. Seeing a variety of different countries and lifestyles. Our yurt stay was particularly a highlight due to the location.read more
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