Discover Kazakhstan: Top Outdoor Adventures Awaiting You

Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and boasts a variety of different landscapes to explore and experience. In spite of its large size, a very small portion of the country contains mountains. However, it is here that the majority of visitors head when coming to Kazakhstan.

Hiking and mountaineering are the two most popular summertime outdoor activities in Kazakhstan. Many guides will opt to head from the city of Almaty south into the mountains for these types of trips. Ile-Alatau National Park is a popular hiking destination and a great place to see some of the aforementioned wildlife.

Moutnaineers, however, may opt to visit nearby Pik Talgar (4,979 meters), which is one of the most popular mountains to climb in the country, or Belukha Mountain (4,506 meters).

In the winter ski touring and snowshoeing are both popular activities. The most popular places to snowshoe are also the most popular places to hike in the summer.

Ski tourers heading to Kazakhstan usually opt to head to the mountains just south of Almaty. The Shymbulak ski resort area in the Tian Shan and the Ketmen Range are two of the most popular spots.

Stunning scenery

Situated in the heart of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is home to an incredibly diverse array of stunning scenery. While the majority of the country is composed of grassy steppes, the southwestern border is home to some of the highest peaks found anywhere in the world. Within the mountains are thick evergreen forests, deep and stark gorges as well as verdant valleys and so much more.

Conquer Khan Tengri

Rising up to 7,010 meters in elevation, Khan Tengri is the highest peak in Kazakhstan. Sitting on the country's eastern border with Kyrgyzstan and China, the peak should be high up on any avid mountain climber’s bucket list. From the Kazakh side, the peak is quite challenging and requires advanced mountaineering skills. Most expeditions (including the approach and return) take about three weeks.

Wondrous wildlife

Heading out on an adventure into the mountains of Kazakhstan is a great way to reconnect with nature. It’s also a great moment to get out and see some of the country’s native wildlife, including timberwolves, moose, foxes and lynx. While some of these animals may be hard to find in the wild, they’re more abundant in various natural reserves that can be found throughout the mountains. Take some time on your next holiday here to check them out.

The mountainous region of Kazakhstan has a humid continental climate. This means that summers are generally quite warm (mid to upper 20s) and winters are generally below freezing. The majority of precipitation that the area receives comes in the winter.

Any outdoor adventure trip to Kazakhstan will begin with a flight into Almaty International Airport (ALA). Most guides will meet you here and arrange transport to the start of the trip.

Kazakh, Russian

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Tenge (KZT)

June to September for mountaineering and hiking. January to April for ski touring and snowshoeing.