My Kazakhstan Travel Guide: Almaty, Zhetysu & What Surprised Me Most

Hi travelers!

Never did I ever think I’d be traveling to Central Asia anytime soon.

Don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to eventually visit most, if not all, countries around the world. But Kazakhstan? It honestly hadn’t crossed my mind as somewhere I’d be visiting anytime soon, especially as a solo female traveler.

That all changed when I attended TBEX in Donegal, Ireland in 2025. It was my second TBEX travel conference, and during the event they announced that the next TBEX Asia would be taking place in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Immediately, I was intrigued. I signed up and bought my ticket pretty much right away… and then proceeded to spend the beginning of 2026 having absolutely no idea whether I was actually going to go. 😂

I had already been traveling A LOT this year, work was busy, and Kazakhstan felt very far outside the destinations I normally travel to.

Then a friend reminded me that this was exactly why I should go.

Kazakhstan, and Central Asia in general, is still incredibly underrated among travelers, and getting to experience it through a travel conference meant I’d have opportunities to learn about the culture, meet locals, connect with other travel creators and brands, and see parts of the country I probably wouldn’t have known how to plan on my own.

And that’s something I’ve always loved about TBEX. Beyond the actual conference, TBEX offers Pre-BEX tours, where attendees can sign up for experiences before the event. It’s a great way to start exploring the destination and meet other conference attendees before everything officially begins.

They also offer hosted FAM trips after the conference. You apply beforehand and, if selected, you’re assigned to one of the itineraries to explore another destination or region. I ended up being selected for Adventure Zhetysu: Dunes, Rivers & Sky.

Was it my first choice? No. It was actually my third. And if you know me, you also know that I wouldn’t exactly describe myself as the world’s biggest outdoorsy adventure traveler.

But then I saw paragliding on the itinerary, something that had been sitting on my bucket list, and thought… okay. Maybe we’re doing this. So I booked the flight.

Going to Kazakhstan With Basically No Plan

Normally I research destinations quite a bit before I arrive, but 2026 Nancy apparently did not have time for that.

Between traveling and working constantly, I went into Kazakhstan with surprisingly little research. My trip was planned almost entirely around TBEX, the activities they organized in Almaty and my hosted trip afterward. It was very much a whatever happens, happens kind of trip.

Looking back, there are definitely things I wish I’d made time for Charyn Canyon being a BIG one, but that’s also given me an excuse to eventually come back.

So in this Kazakhstan travel guide, I’m sharing the places I actually experienced, where I stayed, what I ate, my favorite things to do in Almaty, my adventure through Zhetysu, and the places I missed but would absolutely prioritize next time.

And spoiler alert: Kazakhstan surprised me in the best possible way.

Jump to:

• Where to Stay in Almaty
• Best Things to Do in Almaty
• Where to Eat & Drink in Almaty
• Best Day Trips From Almaty
• My Zhetysu FAM Trip Experience
• Kazakhstan Travel Tips
• Is Kazakhstan Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Where to Stay in Almaty

For most trips, I’m an Airbnb girl. They’re often cheaper than hotels, and when I’m staying somewhere longer, having a kitchen and washing machine makes my life significantly easier.

Kazakhstan was different. Because I was arriving solo, knew very little about the country, and wasn’t sure how comfortable I’d feel navigating everything by myself, I decided to book one of the official TBEX partner hotels: Park Dedeman Almaty.

Yes, I paid a pretty penny (even with the discount) compared with what I probably could have spent on an apartment. 😂 But for this particular trip, I think it was worth it.

Other TBEX attendees were staying there, so I met people at the hotel and could split rides to and from conference events. I also liked knowing that if something went wrong or I needed help navigating something, there was a front desk I could ask. And it was relatively convenient for the conference itself.

Now that I’ve actually experienced Almaty, though, I’d personally feel completely comfortable booking an apartment on a future trip. Especially if you’re staying five days or longer, having a washer and kitchen can be really useful.

The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty

If you’re looking to splurge, The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty is the luxury option I’d look at. It’s inside Esentai Tower and has sweeping city and mountain views from the upper floors, plus an indoor pool, spa and several dining options. I actually visited the property during TBEX, and those views alone are pretty spectacular.

InterContinental Almaty

InterContinental Almaty is another upscale option closer to central Almaty. It has mountain-view rooms, a spa, pool and three restaurants, and the hotel lists itself about a 30-minute drive from the airport.

Photo by Radis B

Holiday Inn Almaty

For something more mid-range, Holiday Inn Almaty is roughly 2 km from downtown and gives you the reliability of a major hotel brand without Ritz-Carlton pricing.

Holiday Inn Express Almaty

The Hotel Inn Express Almaty is a more budget-friendly alternative to the Holiday Inn Almaty, offering a comfortable and convenient stay roughly 1.75 km from downtown Almaty.

Best Things to Do in Almaty

See the Ascension Cathedral

This was honestly one of my favorite sights in Almaty.

The Ascension Cathedral, also known as Zenkov Cathedral, is hard to miss because of its bright yellow exterior and colorful details. It almost reminded me of something out of Candyland. 😂

And the inside is just as beautiful. I’ve seen A LOT of cathedrals throughout my travels, especially after spending so much time in Europe, but this one genuinely stood out to me.

It’s also historically interesting: the wooden Orthodox cathedral was built between 1904 and 1907 and survived the major 1911 earthquake that destroyed much of what was then Vernyi. It’s located inside the Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, so you can easily combine the two.

Visit the Green Bazaar

If you want an easy introduction to everyday life and food in Almaty, start at the Green Bazaar, also known as Kok Bazaar.

It’s one of the city’s best-known markets, packed with fresh fruit and vegetables, spices, dried fruit, meats, dairy products and traditional Kazakh foods. It’s colorful, busy and a great place to wander around even if you’re not planning to buy much.

I’d especially recommend coming hungry and using this as an opportunity to try local snacks or pick up something for later.

Walk Along Arbat

For an easy stroll through the city, head to Arbat, Almaty’s popular pedestrian street along Zhibek Zholy.

You’ll find shops, cafés, restaurants and street performers along the way, and it’s a nice area to simply wander without having a huge sightseeing agenda.

I’d combine this with a visit to the nearby Green Bazaar so you can easily explore both while you’re already in this part of the city.

Explore the Almaty Metro

One thing I wish I had spent a little more time doing was exploring Almaty’s metro system. Even if you don’t necessarily need to take the metro everywhere, several of the stations are worth seeing for their design alone.

The system is relatively small and easy to navigate compared to metros in much larger cities, making it another affordable way to get around Almaty and experience a bit more of everyday local life.

If I return, I’d definitely make a point of hopping on and exploring a few of the different stations rather than relying so much on rideshares.

Have a Spa Day at Arasan Wellness & SPA

This was EXACTLY what my body needed after arriving in Kazakhstan. 😂

I visited Arasan Wellness & SPA with a friend who was also attending TBEX, and we basically turned it into a full recovery day.

We used the pools, sauna and steam room and also added treatments including a full-body scrub, hair wash and deep-tissue massage.

I believe everything came to around $85 at the time of my visit, which felt like such good value for how much we did. Prices can obviously change, so check the current menu before visiting.

The complex currently operates separate bath, wellness, fitness and beauty areas; its bath complex is open daily.

Take the Cable Car to Kok Tobe

Another thing I’d add to my itinerary next time is taking the cable car up to Kok Tobe.

Kok Tobe sits above Almaty and is one of the city’s most popular viewpoints, with panoramic views over the city and surrounding mountains. The cable car ride itself is part of the experience and takes you from central Almaty up to the recreation area.

Once you’re at the top, you can walk around, grab something to eat and enjoy the views. I’d especially try to time this around sunset because I’m ALWAYS down for a good panoramic view. 😂

Visit Medeu & Shymbulak Mountain Resort

If you have extra time in Almaty, I’d also consider heading into the mountains to visit Medeu and Shymbulak.

Medeu is home to a famous high-altitude outdoor skating rink, while nearby Shymbulak is Kazakhstan’s best-known mountain resort. In winter, it’s a major skiing and snowboarding destination, but you don’t necessarily need to ski to visit.

You can take the gondola farther into the mountains for the scenery and views, which is something I’d love to do on my next trip. It’s also a nice reminder of one of the things that makes Almaty so unique: you can be exploring a modern city and then escape into the mountains relatively easily.

Where to Drink in Almaty

The Ritz-Carlton

Head upstairs for cocktails with a view. We tried some really creative drinks served in fun presentation cups, but honestly the panoramic views over Almaty were half the experience.

Bul Bar

A smaller, intimate vinyl-themed cocktail lounge that’s great if you want something more relaxed than a big nightclub.

French 42

French 42 is a centrally located bar near Almaly with late-night hours, so I’d describe this as another option for cocktails/nightlife without overclaiming anything you didn’t personally experience.

Kazakh Foods You Should Try

Okay… let’s talk about the horse meat. 😂 Horse meat is a traditional part of Kazakh cuisine, and yes, as someone coming from the U.S., I definitely had a wait, am I really about to eat this? moment.

But when in Kazakhstan…I tried it.

And honestly? It wasn’t nearly as scary as I had built it up to be. I don’t think horse meat is suddenly becoming part of my weekly diet 😂, but I’m glad I tried something that plays such an important role in the country’s food culture.

Beshbarmak: One of Kazakhstan’s best-known traditional dishes, usually consisting of boiled meat, commonly horse meat or lamb, served with wide noodles. I ate this here a few times already, and it’s overall a good dish.

Kazy: Traditional horse-meat sausage.

Baursak: Little pieces of fried dough that you’ll see served alongside meals and tea. Really nice, I’d say.

Kurt: Small, salty dried curd snacks.

Kumis: Fermented mare’s milk.

Best Day Trips From Almaty

Huns Ethno-Village

One of the best cultural experiences I had outside Almaty was visiting Huns Ethno-Village.

Rather than simply walking around a museum, the experience was interactive. We watched traditional demonstrations and horseback games, learned more about nomadic traditions, explored a yurt, and even tried making baursak.

We also sampled several traditional foods and dairy products, including horse and cow’s milk and local cheeses.

If you’re visiting Kazakhstan for the first time and want to understand more about Kazakh traditions beyond simply sightseeing in Almaty, I’d definitely add an experience like this to your itinerary.

Charyn Canyon + Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

This is the one I regret missing.

I was actually scheduled to do a full-day trip to Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai/Kaindy Lakes before TBEX, but after months of nonstop traveling, my body basically told me girl, sit down. 😂 So I skipped it.

After seeing everyone else’s photos afterward… yes, I was slightly devastated.

Charyn Canyon is famous for its dramatic rock formations and the appropriately named Valley of Castles. Kolsai is a series of mountain lakes surrounded by spruce forest, while nearby Kaindy Lake is particularly unusual because tree trunks from its submerged forest rise directly from the water. Tours commonly combine these sights into one very long day from Almaty, so expect an early start and lots of driving.

This is officially at the TOP of my list for Kazakhstan round two.

My Zhetysu FAM Trip Experience

If you’ve never heard the term before, a FAM trip (short for familiarization trip) is typically a hosted trip organized by a tourism board, destination or travel brand for media and creators. The idea is to immerse you in the destination so you can experience it firsthand and eventually share it with your audience.

They’re amazing opportunities, and you get to experience such a wide variety of what a destination has to offer in a relatively short amount of time.

I’ll be honest, the days can definitely be busy! You’re usually following a packed itinerary from morning until night, shooting content, taking notes, moving between locations and, of course, trying to actually enjoy everything at the same time. 😂 But that’s also part of what makes the experience so unique. You get to see and do SO much while connecting with local tourism partners, travel brands and other creators from around the world.

It can be a whirlwind, but it’s such a cool way to really immerse yourself in a destination!

This was actually my first TBEX FAM trip. I had originally been selected for one after TBEX Ireland the year before, but the flight logistics didn’t work out, so I had to cancel.

That made me even more excited to finally experience one in Kazakhstan.

Want to see what the trip actually looked like? I shared a recap from my Zhetysu adventure on Instagram, from the landscapes to some of the experiences we packed into the trip:

See my Kazakhstan FAM trip recap on Instagram

And then, naturally, my stomach decided Day 2 was the perfect time to betray me.

I pushed through most of the day but eventually had to sit one activity out. Thankfully, it didn’t ruin the trip, and overall this ended up being one of the most memorable parts of Kazakhstan for me.

Day 1: Exploring Altyn-Emel National Park

Besshatyr Burial Mounds

This is much cooler once you know what you’re looking at.

Besshatyr translates roughly to “Five Tents” and is an ancient Saka necropolis containing 31 burial mounds. The tombs of Saka tribal leaders date back more than 2,500 years, and the largest mound reaches about 17 meters high and 105 meters across.

Standing there, you’re basically looking at a piece of Central Asian history that’s been sitting in the landscape for thousands of years, which was pretty surreal.

Aygaykum Singing Dune

The Aygaykum Singing Dune was easily one of the coolest natural sights we visited in Altyn-Emel National Park. It’s this massive golden sand dune seemingly sitting in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains and wide-open landscapes. It honestly looked so surreal, and even just standing at the bottom looking up at it was impressive.

What makes it even more unique is that the dune is known for producing a low humming or “singing” sound when the dry sand moves, which is where it gets its name.

On our first day, we had the opportunity to actually climb to the top of the dune to take in the views.

Now, TBF… I didn’t fully realize how much hiking we’d be doing on this “adventure” trip. 😂 Yes, yes, I KNOW. It literally had Adventure in the title.

It was HOT that day, and climbing uphill through sand is an entirely different workout. I almost made it to the top, but eventually decided I’d gone far enough, and honestly, I’m okay with that. I did what I could, and even from where I stopped, the views were absolutely incredible.

Whether you make it all the way to the top or not, I’d still say the Singing Dune is 100% worth seeing. It was unlike anything I’d seen before and definitely one of those landscapes that made me realize just how unexpected Kazakhstan was going to be.

Aktau Mountains

This was one of the landscapes that really showed me how diverse Kazakhstan is.

The Aktau Mountains look almost painted, with layers of white, pink, red and other colors running through the rock. The area was once beneath an ancient sea, and today the exposed layers contain fossils and geological formations dating back millions of years. 

It felt completely different from the landscapes we’d seen earlier that same day, which became a recurring theme throughout Zhetysu.

Katutau Mountains

We were also supposed to visit Katutau, but because of the weather and timing, we ultimately had to choose which area to prioritize.

Katutau would have been another completely different landscape: unlike Aktau’s colorful sedimentary formations, Katutau’s rugged terrain was shaped by ancient volcanic activity and hardened lava. 

So yes… another one for the return-trip list.

After that very full day, we ended with a home-style Kazakh dinner, and honestly, sitting down to a huge local meal after being outside all day may have been one of the best feelings ever.

Day 2: Rafting + Paragliding in Zhetysu

Rafting the Koksu River

I was nervous about this one.

First of all, I wouldn’t exactly call myself an expert swimmer. Yes, obviously you’re wearing a life jacket, but looking at whitewater rafting videos beforehand didn’t exactly make me feel calmer.

We tackled what we were told were roughly Class II–III rapids, which ended up being such a good introduction for me. There were enough splashes and drops to make it exciting without making me feel like I’d accidentally signed up for an extreme-sports documentary.

At the same time, rafting had been sitting on my adventure bucket list for a while, so this felt like one of those if not now, when? moments.

And in the end? It was all-okay at the end, and was very fun and thrilling!

It turned out to be one of those activities I was nervous to start and so happy I didn’t skip.

Paragliding at Tau Zhetysu

And then came the activity I had been waiting for: paragliding.

Honestly, this was one of the main reasons I said yes to this FAM trip in the first place. 😂

Paragliding had been sitting on my bucket list forever, and suddenly Kazakhstan was going to be the place where I finally did it. I expected it to feel terrifying. Instead, once we were actually in the air, it felt strangely peaceful, almost like floating.

Seeing the Zhetysu landscape from above while quietly gliding through the air was completely surreal, and it ended up being one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip.

If paragliding has been sitting on your bucket list too: DO IT.

We even stayed right next to the paragliding takeoff area, and I got to sleep in one of their converted shipping-container rooms.

I could look outside and see the landscape below with paragliders literally floating through the sky above us. It was one of those wait… I’m actually in Kazakhstan right now moments.

What I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Kazakhstan

Since this was my first time traveling to Kazakhstan, and Central Asia in general, there were definitely a few things I learned along the way. Honestly, I went into this trip without doing nearly as much research as I normally would, so hopefully these tips will make your first trip a little easier than mine!

The Language Barrier Is Real, But Manageable

English isn’t widely spoken everywhere in Kazakhstan, especially once you get outside of the more tourist-oriented places.

But honestly? It was fine. Google Translate became my best friend. 😂 There were definitely a few moments where communicating became a whole production, our visit to Arasan Spa being one of them, but we figured it out.

I’d recommend downloading Google Translate before your trip and downloading Russian for offline use as a backup. Learning a few basic words and phrases can also go a long way.

I wouldn’t let the language barrier discourage you from visiting. Sometimes it just takes a little extra patience, a translation app and a lot of pointing.

Download Yandex Go Before You Arrive

One thing I definitely recommend doing before you arrive in Kazakhstan is downloading Yandex Go.

Think of it as their version of Uber. I used it to easily request rides around Almaty, and the app can also be used for things like food and other deliveries.

I’d recommend setting up the app and your payment method before your trip so you’re not trying to figure everything out after landing.

You Probably Don’t Need Much Cash

This one surprised me. Before arriving, I thought I’d need cash much more frequently, so I withdrew around 10,000 KZT, roughly $20 at the time of my trip.

And then I could barely find opportunities to use it.

I kept trying to pay with cash just so I could actually GET RID OF IT, and most of the places I visited made paying by card so easy that I ended up using my card instead.

I’d still keep a small amount of Kazakhstani tenge with you just in case, especially if you’re shopping at a local market, visiting smaller businesses or traveling outside the city. But based on my personal experience in Almaty, I wouldn’t withdraw a huge amount of cash immediately. Most of the places I visited accepted cards.

Get an eSIM Before Your Trip

I 100% recommend having data while traveling around Kazakhstan, especially because you’ll probably be relying on your phone for Yandex Go, Google Maps and Google Translate.

My recent go-to has been Roamless, and one thing I LOVE about it is that you don’t need to install a new eSIM every single time you enter another country.

You install the Roamless eSIM once, add money to your account and can use the same eSIM across supported destinations around the world. As someone who jumps between countries constantly, this makes my life so much easier.

I also tried GigSky for the first time while I was actually in Kazakhstan [use my code (VBVP100) when you sign up]. I had run out of data on my Roamless account and decided it was the perfect opportunity to test another eSIM provider. I found it easy to use and it worked really well for me throughout the rest of my trip, so that’s another option I’d recommend checking out.

Traveling internationally soon? Check out my guide to the travel essentials I actually use and recommend, where I share more of my favorite eSIMs and travel gadgets.

Pack for More Than One Type of Weather

What you pack really depends on where in Kazakhstan you’re going.

I visited toward the end of August, and Almaty was still pretty hot during the day. Thankfully, it didn’t feel unbearably humid to me, so walking around the city was still manageable in normal summer clothes. The evenings were actually perfect, not too hot and not too cold.

Once we started traveling around Zhetysu, though, the weather became MUCH more unpredictable.

One location could be hot and sunny, while somewhere else was cold, windy and rainy. If you’re planning to explore beyond Almaty, I’d definitely pack layers rather than assuming the weather in the city represents what you’ll experience everywhere else.

For my trip, I packed:

• Regular summer clothes
• Activewear for hiking and outdoor activities
• Comfortable walking shoes
• A sweater
• A rain jacket
• A swimsuit
• Water shoes for rafting

Kazakhstan’s Weather Can Change Dramatically Depending on Where You Go

This goes hand-in-hand with packing. Kazakhstan is HUGE, so you can’t really look at the Almaty weather forecast and assume that’s what you’ll experience throughout your entire trip.

Almaty was warm and pleasant during my late-August visit, while parts of Zhetysu gave us completely different conditions, from heat to wind, rain and colder temperatures. If you’re taking day trips or traveling through national parks, check the weather for the specific destination, not just Almaty.

Photo by Dmitriy Menshikov

Give Yourself at Least 5–7 Days

If you’re traveling all the way to Kazakhstan, I wouldn’t recommend coming to Almaty for only two or three days unless it’s part of a longer trip.

I’d personally give yourself at least 6-10 days if you want to experience Almaty AND explore some of the incredible nature surrounding it.

You could spend a few days exploring the city, then use the remaining days for places like Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Huns Ethno-Village, or even venture farther into the Zhetysu region.

And after my first trip, I honestly think you could spend much longer. I barely scratched the surface.

Don’t Underestimate the Distances

This is probably one of the biggest things I didn’t fully comprehend before arriving. Kazakhstan is ENORMOUS. Like… genuinely enormous.

Places that look relatively close when you’re planning your itinerary can involve hours of driving, and some of the popular nature trips from Almaty are very long days.

Don’t make the mistake of cramming five different attractions into your itinerary just because they all look like they’re “near Almaty.”

Give yourself enough travel time, expect some early mornings, and build in a little downtime, something I probably should have done more of myself.

Book Tours for the Bigger Nature Trips

If you’re planning to venture into Kazakhstan’s national parks or farther-flung natural attractions, I’d personally book an organized excursion rather than trying to wing everything yourself, especially on a first trip.

Having transportation and logistics already organized makes visiting places like Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, or Altyn-Emel National Park much easier when you’re unfamiliar with the country.

For example, Altyn-Emel is a huge national park with designated visitor routes and multiple attractions spread throughout the landscape. It’s very different from showing up at a small city park and wandering around for an hour.

Is Kazakhstan Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

This was probably my biggest question before the trip.

I was traveling to Central Asia alone for the first time, knew very little about Kazakhstan, didn’t speak Kazakh or Russian, and honestly had no idea how comfortable I would feel once I arrived.

My personal experience ended up being overwhelmingly positive.

I felt comfortable walking around Almaty, using transportation and navigating the city, and the people I interacted with were generally kind and helpful, even when we couldn’t communicate perfectly.

Of course, feeling safe somewhere doesn’t mean nothing can ever happen, and I’d still recommend taking the same precautions you would in any unfamiliar destination: pay attention to your surroundings, use reputable transportation, keep valuables secure and avoid putting yourself in situations that make you uncomfortable.

But based on my experience? I would feel comfortable returning to Almaty alone, and next time, I’d probably even book the Airbnb. That circles beautifully back to the beginning.

Did Kazakhstan Surprise Me?

Completely. I went into Kazakhstan with almost no expectations. I hadn’t spent months researching it, it wasn’t sitting at the top of my bucket list, and I was genuinely nervous about traveling alone to a part of the world I’d never experienced before.

And maybe that’s exactly why it surprised me so much.

I found a modern city surrounded by mountains, incredibly different landscapes, food I’d never tried before, people who were welcoming despite the language barrier, and experiences that pushed me WAY outside my normal travel comfort zone.

+ I climbed a singing sand dune, I ate horse meat.

+ I rafted down a river, I finally went paragliding.

And somehow this country I knew almost nothing about became one of the most unexpected trips of my year.

Do I feel like I’ve “seen Kazakhstan” now? Absolutely not.

If anything, this trip showed me how much more there is to see.

I still need to make it to Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes. I’d love to explore more regions beyond Almaty and Zhetysu. And next time, I’d intentionally leave myself a little more free time to slow down and experience everyday life rather than following such a packed schedule.

So if Kazakhstan isn’t on your bucket list yet… maybe it should be. Because it definitely wasn’t on mine, until I went. 🇰🇿