10 EPIC Things to Do in Almaty (Kazakhstan)

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For many people, visiting Almaty will be a step into the unknown. However, I can assure you that once you open your heart to it, you’ll really fall in love with the city. In fact, it’s rated one of the best backpacking destinations, which I think is a real testament to how Kazakhstan is emerging into the consciousness of more travellers.

Sure, there are plenty of places you can visit. But there are also lots of experiences you can enjoy at them, too. So, don’t just go there to snap photos for your Insta. Spend some quality time really soaking things in.

The activities outlined below were the things that made my time in Almaty most memorable. The great thing about them is that they are easy to fit into your travel plans. They also work for different budgets and offer a fantastic mix of adventure, culture, food, and meeting the locals.

If you’ve got a few days in Almaty, these are the experiences I’d personally recommend building your itinerary around.

1. Explore the Otherworldly Altyn-Emel National Park

This was one of the most surreal day tours I had in Kazakhstan, and it’s a brilliant way to see the wild side of the country’s nature.

It took around 4 hours to drive to Altyn-Emel National Park on a mix of bitumen highway and rough road, which was an adventure in itself! But once there, I was blown away by landscapes that included desert sand, colourful clay mountains and volcanic rock formations. 

I especially loved climbing up the Singing Dune, which is a giant sand ridge that literally hums with a deep, musical pulse when the wind hits it. (I could have sworn it sang Steppenwolf’s Born to Be Wild!)

From there, we also wandered among the Aktau and Katutau Mountains, which seemed like something out of a sci-fi film set. 

This full-day adventure is perfect if you’re craving big landscapes and nature with a side of mystery. I recommend going in the early afternoon. The colours around the dunes at sunset are incredible.

2. Visit Big Almaty Lake and Its Alpine Wonders

Sometimes on your travels, you’ll find yourself presented with a view that literally stops you in your tracks. That is exactly what happened to me when I saw Big Almaty Lake.

This magnificent glacial lake sits high in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, only about 15 km from Almaty. At a soaring 2,511 m above sea level, it’s surrounded by razor-sharp peaks and mountain air that is among the crispest I have ever felt.

On this experience, I was picked up from my hotel and driven through winding passes into the national park. Once there, I had to hike 6 km uphill to get to the lake. It was tough, so you’ll need a good level of fitness, but I loved how peaceful it felt as I wandered the shoreline. The hour I spent there was probably the best of my whole time in Kazakhstan, and honestly, the views are a good distraction from the hike!

3. Discover Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes as well as Charyn Canyon

If you are short on time, I recommend this epic experience. It will take you deep into Kazakhstan’s wild heart to explore three breathtaking landscapes. A gorgeous emerald alpine lake, a mystical submerged forest, and a canyon that rivals some of the more world-famous when it comes to rugged beauty and scale… I’m talking about you, “Grand” Canyon!

We began our adventure at Kolsai Lakes, a chain of high-altitude lakes nestled among lush pine forests and dramatic peaks. I remember the water being so clear and green, I could have sworn I was living in a ChatGPT masterpiece and not real life!

After that, we were taken to Kaindy Lake. This felt like walking into a fantasy novel thanks to the ethereal forest of tall trunks that rise eerily from the water. Truly magical.

The finale is Charyn Canyon. This stunning sight has been carved over millennia into colourful rock formations. Its dramatic riverside gorge is also perfect for photos and short walks if ya wanna get your Insta on!

What I loved most about this adventure was that it packed so much diversity into one route. It was a long and tiring day, but it was very much worth it for these once-in-a-lifetime views.

4. Wander Through Almaty’s Culture & Landmarks

Your first day in Almaty can be a bit disorientating, especially if, like me, you’ve had to suffer through 3 connecting flights and no sleep in 36 hours, to get there. So, to get your bearings, it is a good idea to have someone take you around (or, as I like to call it, have adult supervision!) I mean, Kazakhstan is very safe, so no worries there, but it’s always good to have a local guide.

I did this on my first visit, and I found it a wonderful way to familiarise myself with the area. My guide, Sam, strolled with me through historic squares, where I didn’t just see iconic Soviet-era architecture, I learned about it and experienced it too. We also visited local highlights like Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, and the bustling Green Bazaar (where he encouraged me to sample fresh samsa and tea with locals).

Sam also gave me some pretty cool insights into Kazakh culture, history, and daily life that I never would’ve discovered on my own.

5. Hit the Slopes at Shymbulak

The ski season in Kazakhstan usually runs from late November or early December until around late March. If you happen to be visiting Almaty at that time, you should take the opportunity to hit the slopes at Shymbulak. In fact, it’s fast becoming one of my favourite winter destinations away from the obvious places to hit over this season.

If you’ve never skied before, this experience gives you everything you need. This includes gear, transfers, and a trainer to get you comfortable on the slopes. We headed up from the city into the dramatic Tian Shan mountains, and the views alone were worth the trip.

I saw snow-covered peaks and wide-open runs that felt massive in comparison to most of the beginner slopes I’ve tried elsewhere. It was a lot of fun testing it out, even if my arse was bruised afterwards! Oops! Afterwards, I enjoyed a fabulous hot chocolate at one of the resort’s cosy cafés.

6. Explore Almaty on an E-Bike Through the City

Walking through Almaty is a great way to see the city. However, what is possibly more fun is to hop on an e-bike. You might not get your steps in, but being a traveller is hard work, so why make it any more taxing than it needs to be!?

I did this with my guide, Dulat, and it enabled me to see much more of the city than I otherwise would have been able to over 2.5 hours. He took me to leafy boulevards, historic squares, colourful neighbourhoods and a couple of scenic roadside spots that he assured me most tourists miss.

During my time with him, I took lots of photos, and the best part was that, as the bike is electric, it did all the work for me. What a brilliant way to see the city!

7. Trek to the Glacier Ice Cave in the Tien Shan

If, like me, your adventurous side needs to be sated, then I recommend trekking to a glacier ice cave. It is definitely one of the most rewarding and unforgettable things I did in Kazakhstan.

This experience took me deep into the Bogdanovich Glacier. A magical place where ancient ice shimmers inside a real cave. The day started gently enough with a pleasant drive through mountain valleys to the Shymbulak Ski Resort, which we accessed via cable car.

After which, we set out on a scenic, guided hike (I wouldn’t do this alone!) to get to the cave. I’ll never forget my first sight of the sunlight filtering through the ice walls. You’ll need a good pair of hiking boots and plenty of warm clothes if you want to do this. The cave was pretty cold.

8. Live Like a Nomad in a Kazakh Ethno-Village

One Almaty experience you should definitely do is spend a day at a traditional Kazakh ethno-village. Doing this will expose you to the nomadic traditions of people who have lived in this way on the land for centuries. This is exactly why I love off-the-beaten-track travelling, because it feels more authentic.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be welcomed with warm hospitality, and the locals are only too keen to show you how everyday life works in a yurt-style village. I was fascinated watching them milk the mares, and loved it when they let me try my hand at traditional crafts.

However, for me, the best part of this experience was making and tasting foods made the old-school way. Learning how to prepare beshbarmak (Kazakhstan’s national dish) and sipping fermented mare’s milk were definite highlights. 

The hosts were extremely generous, considering they don’t have much. They also related fascinating stories about their nomadic history, culture, and how these ancient traditions are still thriving in modern Kazakhstan.

9. Shoot guns!

Ok, so this might not be for everyone. But if you have ever wanted to shoot an AK-47, Mosin-Nagant, Glock and other types of firearms, now is your chance.

Personally, I found this adrenaline-pumping experience absolutely exhilarating. It’s for sure, a lot different from your usual run-of-the-mill tourist activities. Under professional supervision in a controlled, safe environment, I was able to shoot all these iconic rifles and pistols.

I had to go through a complete safety briefing first and was shown how each weapon works before I could fire them. But I’ll happily admit, there’s something deeply satisfying about the first time I steadied my stance, squeezed the trigger, and heard that unmistakable “kick” as the gun went off. My heart was racing afterwards!

10. Eat with a Local Family in their home

No matter where I travel, food is an important part of my experience. If you feel the same way, when you come to Almaty, I cannot recommend highly enough eating with a local family in their home.

This experience was arguably my favourite during my time in the city because, after seeing a few sights, I was invited, along with a few others, into a local Kazakh family’s home for dinner. 

There was something incredibly humbling about sitting at a family table and sharing traditional dishes they had made for us. The food was absolutely delicious and included Beshbarmak (meat & noodles), a horse meat sausage called Kazy, as well as some amazing savoury dumplings.

As we ate, we laughed and shared fascinating stories about their lives in Kazakhstan and my trips abroad. It was wonderful to connect with them in this way.

As it is quite a modern city, Almaty is an easy city to get around in.

The public transport options include buses and the metro, which you can use with an ONAY card/On Card in central areas. The bus network covers a large area and is very cheap, at around US $0.25 for a one-way ride. However, it can get crowded at peak times. The metro is fast, efficient, and clean. Though it only covers a limited area.

Much of the city, especially in the green city centre, is quite walkable. However, you can also use ride-sharing apps like Yandex to catch a ride somewhere. There are also several local car hire companies operating in the city.

Don’t Forget Your Travel Insurance for Almaty

Right then, whilst Almaty is a super safe place to visit, with all that exploring you’ll be doing from hiking up mountains to horse meat sausages… It’s best to get some good insurance before you go. Ya know, just in case.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Hopefully I’ve covered it all in this guide, but you inquisitive folks might have a few more burning questions. So I’ve gifted you the gift that keeps on giving, a highly formatted FAQ section! Thank me later.

I wasn’t sure what to expect in Almaty on my first visit. But it surprised me in ways I didn’t expect. I remember thinking it would be a short stop on my longer Central Asia route. But by the time I left, I was already planning how I’d come back.

Few cities offer quite so much diversity in terms of their incredible natural beauty, deep-rooted culture, (Soviet-influenced) history, and lively nightlife. One day, I spent the morning hiking to glaciers, only to find myself sharing food with strangers in their home that night. That is the real beauty of Almaty. There are just so many different things to do.

For those intending to visit Almaty, my biggest piece of advice is simple. Don’t overplan every hour. Some of my favourite memories came from saying yes to spontaneous decisions, such as a detour suggested by a guide, lingering longer at a lake when I had intended to go somewhere else, and just taking the time to speak to locals.

If you’re looking for a destination that still feels a little under the radar, but delivers “WOW’ factor experiences, Almaty is where it is at. Come for the landscapes, stay for the culture, and leave with stories that you’ll always fondly recall.