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Why You Should Spend 5 Days in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world. Honestly, 5 days is nowhere near enough to see it all.
However, if you are short on time, our advice is simple: Stick to Almaty. This is the region most travelers recommend, and for good reason.
- The Comfort: It has the best city infrastructure and hotels.
- The Snow: It has world-class ski resorts nearby (many people travel here specifically for this).
- The Nature: It is home to the country's most famous natural wonders: Charyn Canyon, the Sunken Forest (Kaindy Lake), and Big Almaty Lake.
With all these highlights in one place, there is simply no reason to go anywhere else.
Our Kazakhstan 5-day Itinerary at Glance
Our team visited in early November. This was part of our research trip across Central Asia. The weather in Almaty was surprisingly good.
Mornings and evenings were chilly, so you need warm clothes. However, during the sunny days, a simple base layer and a warm jacket were enough.
The trees were turning from green to yellow, and the steppes were a deep brown. The red rocks of the canyon looked even more vivid. Best of all, there were no crowds.
Here is an overview of our 5-day itinerary:
| Day | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Almaty City | Arrival & Welcome Dinner |
| Day 2 | Almaty City | Full City Exploration |
| Day 3 | Countryside | Charyn Canyon & Saty Village |
| Day 4 | Countryside | Kaindy Lake & Kolsai Lakes |
| Day 5 | Almaty City | Shopping & Departure |
Detailed Kazakhstan Itinerary 5 Days: Almaty, Canyon & Lakes
Now let's break down each day so you know exactly what happened, what worked.
Day 1: Arrival in Almaty City
Our flight from Chengdu landed at 22:00 (10 PM). Immigration was fast—we got through in just 20 minutes. Since it was late, we took our private transfer car straight to our hotel in the city.
Getting from the Airport to the City. Almaty International Airport is about 15 km northeast of the city center.
- Bus: Bus No. 92 goes to the city, but it takes over an hour because of all the stops.
- Yandex (Taxi App): We met other travelers using Yandex. It is a much faster choice, and you don't have to worry about hidden fees.
Day 2: Almaty City Explore
We started our day with a nice hotel breakfast of fresh salads, bread, and coffee. Then, we dedicated the whole day to finding the city's soul.
Almaty feels surprisingly European, yet the Korean influence is undeniable—you can spot Korean signs on almost every corner.
Our first stop was Panfilov Park. The absolute star here is the Zenkov Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world.
Our guide told us it was built without a single nail! Its bright yellow and green colors looked stunning against the blue sky. We also visited the Folk Instrument Museum and the Military Museum, which are conveniently located right inside the park.
Next, we walked to the Green Bazaar. It was an explosion for the senses. You can smell spices, Korean salads, and fresh apples everywhere. The displays were so perfectly organized that they looked like a movie set, so we couldn't resist snapping endless photos.
After lunch, we enjoyed a pleasant 4.5 km city walk from the bazaar to the Independence Monument, which took up most of the afternoon. For dinner, we tried a nearby Indian restaurant.
We lingered a bit too long over the meal, so by the time we reached Kok Tobe Hill, the sun had already set. While we missed the sunset, we were rewarded with a sweeping view of the city lights. I have to say, the vibe there really reminded me of Namsan Tower in Seoul.
Day 3: Almaty to Charyn Canyon & Saty Village
This was the day we were most excited about. We left the city at 8:00 AM. The drive to Charyn Canyon takes about 3 hours. The road is generally good. The scenery changes drastically. You leave the green mountains and enter the vast, flat steppe. It feels endless.
When we arrived at Charyn Canyon, the wind was strong. We hiked down into the "Valley of Castles." The red rock formations tower over you. It looks exactly like the American Southwest or Mars.
We walked about 3km to the river at the bottom. The contrast of the freezing blue river against the red rocks is stunning. We sat by the river, drank hot tea from our thermos, and just listened to the water.
From Charyn Canyon to Saty Village need 2 hours. This is a small village in the mountains. We stayed in a local guesthouse. It was simple, but the hospitality was 5-star. The host family cooked us Plov (rice pilaf) and we talked for hours.
How to Get from Almaty to Charyn Canyon? (5 Options for 2026)
Day 4: Kolsai Lakes & Lake Kaindy Tour
We visited Kolsai Lake at first. The Kolsai Lakes are actually a system of three alpine lakes at different elevations.
Kolsai 1 is the lowest and most accessible, about 12 kilometers from Saty village on a rough dirt road. Our driver took us there in about 20 minutes.
Kolsai Lake 1 sits at about 1,800 meters elevation, surrounded by Tian Shan spruce forest. The water was this deep blue-green color that looked almost artificial. Mountains rise on all sides. In November, the trees were bare, but the landscape still felt beautiful in a stark way.
For fit hikers with more time, you can trek to Kolsai Lake 2 (about 6 kilometers further, 3-4 hours one-way climb) or even to Kolsai Lake 3 (another 4-5 hours beyond Lake 2).
We decided against it because we wanted to visit Lake Kaindy the same day, and we're not ultra-marathon hikers. We spent about 90 minutes total at Kolsai 1, then returned to the car.
From Kolsai to Lake Kaindy. This took about 40 minutes on extremely rough mountain roads.
Lake Kaindy is the famous one. If you've seen photos of Kazakhstan's nature, you've probably seen Kaindy—a turquoise lake with ghostly dead tree trunks sticking vertically out of the water.
We arrived at Kaindy around 1 PM. The parking area sits above the lake. You walk down a trail (about 10 minutes) to reach the lakeshore.
Then we had Lake Kaindy completely to ourselves for about 40 minutes. This was the highlight of our entire Kazakhstan visit. Lake Kaindy in November, with no crowds.
By 3 PM, a few more tourists had arrived (maybe 10 people total), so we walked back up to the car and headed back to Saty.
Charyn Canyon to Kolsai Lake Distance & Route: Plan 1 or 2 Days?
Day 5: Departure
Our flight departed at 9:30 PM, so we had time. Walked through a shopping mall near Republic Square. Bought some last-minute souvenirs—more dried fruits, local honey, small handicrafts.
Left the hotel at 6 PM for the airport. Our driver took us (we'd arranged this as part of the three-day service). Arrived at airport around 6:40 PM.
Check-in and security were efficient. Had dinner at an airport restaurant (overpriced and mediocre, but we were hungry). Boarded our flight on time.
Alternative Kazakhstan Itinerary Ideas (If You Want Something Different)
Our itinerary is perfect for most visitors. especially if you want the classic Kazakhstan experience in a short time.
However, there are other ways to explore. Below are two alternative 5-day plans for the Almaty region. Each one is designed for a different type of traveler.
Option 1: The "Comfort & Culture" Route (Family Friendly)
For families with children, comfort is the top priority.
The 5-Day Family Plan: We suggest spending 1–2 days exploring the city, and then taking two separate day trips. You can add Big Almaty Lake and Charyn Canyon to your list.
You can base yourself in a comfortable Almaty hotel for all 4 nights. This way, you see the classic sights without the hassle of checking in and out of different places. Add a Falconry Show to your itinerary. The kids will love it!
Day 1: Same as our itinerary—arrive in Almaty, light evening exploration.
Day 2: Almaty city tour including Green Bazaar, Kok-Tobe Hill, Central State Museum (good for understanding Kazakh history), and Panfilov Park.
Day 3: Day trip to Big Almaty Lake, a beautiful alpine lake at 2,500 meters elevation. Can combine with a visit to the Sunkar Falcon Center. You watch skilled hunters work with golden eagles and can take photos with the birds. Return to Almaty.
Day 4: Do same things like our Day 3, after the visiting, back to Almaty.
Day 5: Morning visit to the Central Mosque or the Panfilov Cathedral if you missed it earlier. Last-minute shopping at Green Bazaar or Dostyk Plaza mall. Afternoon departure.
Option 2: The "Winter Ski" Focus
This is the undisputed highlight of a Kazakh winter. Whether you are a traveler from Southeast Asia or India chasing snow, or simply looking for a budget-friendly alternative to the Swiss Alps, this is for you.
From December to March, the one experience you cannot miss is skiing at Shymbulak Ski Resort, located just outside Almaty. We recommend spending 2 to 3 full days on the slopes. You can use the rest of your time for city exploration and airport transfers.
Day 1: Arrive in Almaty. Don't stay in the city—take a taxi directly to Shymbulak ski resort (45 minutes) and check into one of the mountain hotels.
Day 2-4: Ski at Shymbulak. The resort has runs for all levels, from beginner greens to challenging blacks.
Equipment rental available on-site. The resort has several restaurants and cafes. For advanced skiers with avalanche equipment, backcountry skiing opportunities exist in the surrounding mountains (hire a guide for safety).
Day 5: Morning ski session, then return to Almaty city by early afternoon. Afternoon in the city center—quick lunch, maybe visit one or two sites if time allows. Evening flight out of Almaty.
Practical Travel Tips for Your 5 Days in Kazakhstan
Visa requirements: Citizens of most Western countries (USA, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and many others) receive 30 days visa-free entry to Kazakhstan. Check the current list for your specific nationality before booking.
Food considerations: Kazakh cuisine centers on meat, bread, dairy, and potatoes. Vegetarian options exist in Almaty but are very limited in rural areas and guesthouses.
If you're vegetarian or have dietary restrictions, communicate this clearly when booking guesthouses (they usually need advance notice to prepare alternative meals).
Want to Join Us for A Perfect Kazakhstan Tour?
At Asia Odyssey Travel, we've been organizing tours across Asia for over 15 years. Our November 2025 research trip to Central Asia confirmed that Kazakhstan deserves to be much better known.
Interested? Visit our website or contact us directly. Even if you can't join our group tours, we also arrange private custom tours for families or friend groups who want their own itinerary.
Explore Kazakhstan With Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT)
Skip the stress of language barriers and complex logistics. Asia Odyssey Travel handles everything—from professional drivers to English-speaking guides—so you can focus on the "all-round" surprise of Central Asia.
Check out our top-rated options:
- ✅ Kazakhstan Group Tours – The best-value choice. Enjoy 4-star comfort, safety, and authentic experiences in guaranteed small groups (1-16 people).
- ✅ Kazakhstan Tour Packages – Flexible private or group itineraries covering Almaty’s alpine nature (Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes) and Astana’s futuristic architecture.
- ✅ Central Asia Grand Tours – Epic multi-country journeys (up to 26 days) that extend your adventure across the "5 Stans" of the Silk Road.
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