Kazakhstan is where the Silk Road’s echoes meet 21st‑century ambition. Once home to nomads who roamed the steppe on horseback, it is now a land of soaring mountains, desert canyons, alpine lakes, and a gleaming capital, Astana, built to awe. Russian, Kazakh, and global influences mingle in markets and teahouses, while high-altitude resorts and glassy museums showcase a country in motion.

Almaty was the Soviet-era capital and remains the cultural heart—apple orchards gave the world the word “almaty” (apple), and the Tian Shan peaks frame the city like a painted backdrop. A few hours away, the Charyn Canyon rivals the American Southwest, and Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes glimmer like emeralds in alpine bowls. Up north on the steppe, Astana is a futuristic statement piece: bold architecture, wide boulevards, and a skyline punctuated by the Baiterek Tower and the spherical Nur Alem.

Visas are visa‑free for many nationalities (check current rules before booking), and domestic transport is straightforward: short flights connect the two main cities, while trains offer a scenic alternative. Expect hearty Kazakh cuisine—beshbarmak, laghman, and horsemeat delicacies—alongside Central Asian, Georgian, and Korean favorites, plus third‑wave coffee shops and lively bakeries.

Almaty

Set at the foot of the snow-capped Zailiysky Alatau range, Almaty is a mountain city with a European cafe culture. Cable cars whisk you to viewpoints, a historic ice rink clings to a valley, and a colorful wooden cathedral rises among pines. It’s also the jumping-off point for Kazakhstan’s most photogenic day trips.

• Top sights: Panfilov Park & Zenkov Cathedral, Green Bazaar, Kok‑Tobe Hill, Medeu ice rink, Shymbulak ski resort, Big Almaty Lake, Central State Museum.
• Good to know: Winters are superb for skating and skiing; summers are perfect for canyon and lake trips. Bring layers—the weather shifts quickly with altitude.

Where to stay (Almaty): Browse stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Favorites: The Ritz-Carlton, Almaty (skyline views and direct access to Esentai), Holiday Inn Almaty (reliable and central), and budget-friendly Sky Hostel Almaty (rooftop vibes).

Getting to Almaty: Book international flights via Trip.com (Flights) or Kiwi.com. Almaty International Airport sits ~30–45 minutes from downtown by taxi.

Day 1: Arrive in Almaty, leafy boulevards and a hilltop sunset

Morning: Fly into Almaty. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Grab cash at the airport ATM and a local SIM (Beeline or Kcell).

Afternoon: Check in and stretch your legs in Panfilov Park. Step into the candy-colored, all-wood Zenkov Cathedral, then browse dried fruit, nuts, kurt, and fresh samsa at the Green Bazaar—excellent for edible souvenirs.

Evening: Ride the Kok‑Tobe cable car for sunset city-and-peak panoramas. Dinner nearby: Navat (Kazakh—order beshbarmak and baursak with tea), Rumi (Silk Road staples like plov and manti, modern setting), or Daredzhani (Georgian—khinkali and khachapuri with local wine). Nightcap at Arba Wine Boutique for a taste of Kazakhstan’s growing wine scene.

Day 2: Medeu, Shymbulak, and old‑meets‑new Almaty

Morning: Coffee and syrniki at Coffeedelia or Bowler Coffee Roasters. Head to Medeu, the high-altitude ice rink nestled in a pine-filled valley; in summer, climb the stairs for sweeping vistas, in winter rent skates and join locals on the ice.

Afternoon: Continue by gondola to Shymbulak ski resort. In winter, ski well‑groomed pistes; in summer, ride the chairlifts to 3,200 m for alpine air and easy ridge walks. Snack on chebureki or laghman at mountain cafes.

Evening: Return to town for a modern Kazakh dinner at Qazaq Gourmet (try kuyrdak and horsemeat kazy) or Uzbek classics at Tyubeteika (live music some nights). For craft beer and late bites, check Barmaglot Bar on Panfilov Street.

Prefer a guided day? Consider this city-and-mountains sampler with hotel pickup: Almaty city tour and Medeu-Shymbulak-Koktobe-Green Bazar.

Day 3: Big Almaty Lake + museums and baths

Morning: Take a scenic drive into the mountains to turquoise Big Almaty Lake at ~2,500 m. Go with a small group or private guide for mountain-road expertise: Big Almaty Lake tour private or group.

Afternoon: Back in town, browse the Central State Museum for a fast journey from Scythian gold to modern independence. Then book a restorative steam-and-plunge at Arasan Baths—classic tiled halls with Russian banya and Finnish sauna.

Evening: Dinner around Dostyk Avenue. Try Kishlak (Uzbek/Tajik comfort food; rich shurpa and delicate manti) or Daredzhani for a Georgian feast. For dessert, pop into Rakhat’s flagship shop for Almaty-made chocolates.

Day 4: Full-day to Charyn Canyon, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes

Set your alarm for one of Central Asia’s most photogenic days. Explore Charyn Canyon’s rust-red “Valley of Castles,” then continue to the mirror-still Kolsai Lake and ghostly, submerged trees of Kaindy. Expect 12–14 hours round-trip with stops for village meals and scenic walks. A well-reviewed option: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Trip.

Back in Almaty, unwind with late khachapuri and tarragon lemonade at Rumi or a simple, tasty cafeteria-style spread at Qaganat (great for quick soups and salads).

Astana

Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, is a vision of the future on the windswept steppe. The skyline fuses symbolism and spectacle—from the Baiterek Tower’s golden orb to the tent-like Khan Shatyr and the EXPO’s glass sphere, Nur Alem.

• Top sights: Baiterek Tower, Nur Alem Museum of Future Energy, Hazret Sultan Mosque, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Ishim River promenade, Independence Square & Kazakh Eli Monument.
• Vibe: Wide avenues, bold architecture, crisp air; a young city that comes alive with festivals, lights, and riverside strolls.

Where to stay (Astana): Search options on VRBO and Hotels.com. Pick the Left Bank for landmarks and river walks; the Right Bank for older neighborhoods and markets.

Travel from Almaty to Astana (Day 5 morning): Fastest is a 1.5–2 hr flight (~$40–$120 one way; frequent departures) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Scenic alternative: the Talgo train, ~12–13 hrs (overnight options; ~$20–$40) via Trip.com (Trains).

Day 5: Fly north, meet the skyline

Morning: Depart Almaty for Astana by flight. Grab coffee and a cheese samsa at the airport before boarding.

Afternoon: Drop bags and head to the Baiterek Tower for citywide views and the “golden handprint” photo. Continue to the futuristic Nur Alem sphere at the EXPO site—its Museum of Future Energy is interactive and surprisingly fun.

Evening: Wander the Khan Shatyr “tent” mall for people-watching and an indoor urban beach. Dinner at Line Brew (Kazakh steaks, house beer, medieval-hall vibe) or Navat (national dishes with modern plating). Late stroll on the Ishim River embankment as the lights switch on.

Day 6: Mosques, modernism, and riverside life (with local guide)

Morning: Start at Hazret Sultan Mosque, the largest in the country—white domes, elegant calligraphy, and a contemplative interior. Cross to Independence Square and the Kazakh Eli Monument; the nearby Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (a glass pyramid) is Sir Norman Foster’s nod to interfaith dialogue.

Afternoon: Explore the presidential axis around Ak Orda, then pause for lunch at Rumi (light salads, plov, and tandoor breads) or a quick bowl of laghman at a Uyghur cafe. If you prefer a curated overview with transport, this private tour hits the highlights and includes lunch: Astana City Tour: Private Full Day with Lunch and Comfort Pickup.

Evening: Golden hour boat ride or riverside bikes (seasonal). Dinner at Qazaq Gourmet (elevated national dishes; ask for the tasting set) or a casual shawarma-and-salad stop near the embankment if you’re on the move.

Day 7: Last tastes of the steppe and departure

Morning: Coffee at Traveler’s Coffee or Coffee Boom, then a fast dip into the National Museum for the “Golden Man” and steppe artifacts. If time allows, browse a crafts corner for felt goods and hand‑embroidered souvenirs.

Afternoon: Depart Astana. Check flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have a late-night flight, consider a short horseback escape to the outskirts another day of your trip; Astana’s countryside rides are a window into nomadic life.

Optional add‑ons (if you extend your stay)

• Nomad culture near Almaty: Experience yurt hospitality, archery, and crafts at an ethno-village with guide-led transport: Experience the Nomadic Lifestyle at 'The Huns' Ethno-village.

Dining and coffee cheat sheet

• Breakfast/coffee (Almaty): Coffeedelia (classics and terrace), Bowler Coffee Roasters (single origins), Skuratov Coffee (consistent espresso), Rakhat shop for take-home sweets.
• Lunch (Almaty): Green Bazaar stalls (samsa, kurt, dried fruit), Qaganat (fast, local favorites), Rumi (light Silk Road fare).
• Dinner (Almaty): Navat (signature Kazakh dishes), Tyubeteika (Uzbek), Daredzhani (Georgian), Barmaglot (drinks and snacks).
• Breakfast/coffee (Astana): Traveler’s Coffee, Coffee Boom (multiple branches, good pastries).
• Lunch/Dinner (Astana): Line Brew (steaks, house beer), Navat (national dishes), Rumi (Central Asian), casual Uyghur cafes for hand-pulled laghman.

Practical tips

• Money: Tenge (KZT); cards widely accepted in cities, carry cash for markets and rural stops.
• Getting around: Yandex Go and inDriver ride-hailing are reliable. Mountain and canyon roads are best with a driver or tour.
• What to pack: Layers, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and a light rain jacket for mountain microclimates.

Book these featured experiences:

• Almaty city tour + Medeu, Shymbulak, Kok‑Tobe
• Big Almaty Lake tour
• Charyn Canyon, Kolsai & Kaindy day trip
• Astana private full-day city tour

In seven days, you’ll taste apples at the foot of the Tian Shan, trace Silk Road stories through bazaars, and gaze across a capital that looks to the future. Kazakhstan rewards curiosity—with big skies, bigger hospitality, and landscapes you’ll daydream about long after you’re home.