Almaty Region

A treasure trove of natural scenery on the northern slopes of the Tian Shan, home to Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy, Kazakhstan's most popular outdoor destinations.

Almaty Region lies in southeastern Kazakhstan, bordering Kyrgyzstan and China and surrounding the city of Almaty; its capital is Konaev. In the east of the region, Charyn Canyon is known for its red rock walls, and the submerged dead forests of Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy are particularly unusual. There are also the World Heritage–listed petroglyphs of Tamgaly and the Kapchagay Reservoir. Most sights can be visited on day trips or two-day trips from Almaty. The best season is May to October. The main gateway is Almaty International Airport.

Destinations

• Kolsai Lakes & Charyn Canyon
• Almaty
• Altyn-Emel National Park

Itineraries

• Almaty Southeast Loop: Dunes, Canyons & Alpine Lakes – A classic road trip loop from Almaty to the Singing Dunes, Charyn Canyon, and the Kolsai Lakes.
• Almaty to Bishkek Tian Shan Border Crossing – Explore Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes, cross the border via the Karkara checkpoint, and continue to Issyk-Kul and Song…
• Grand Kazakhstan Tour: Four Major Regions – Connect the Tian Shan, Silk Road cities, Caspian wilderness, and the capital with domestic flights to experience four d…