What is the best time to visit Kazakhstan?

Summer is perfect for exploring the steppes and mountains, winter is ideal for skiing, and spring is filled with festivals and blooming flowers. Here’s more to help you plan your trip.

Choosing the right time to visit Kazakhstan isn’t like picking a time for Venice, Tokyo, or Florida: this Central Asian country sees relatively few tourists, so there are no peak periods to avoid.

Accommodation prices remain fairly stable throughout the year (though options may be limited in winter). Therefore, your choice of when to visit Kazakhstan’s vast steppes, remarkable cities, and enchanting mountains will largely depend on the weather. Harsh, cold winters can discourage many travelers from coming in the early months, while places like Shymkent can be excessively hot in mid-summer.

However, you can enjoy a wonderful visit to wild Kazakhstan any time of year – as long as you know when and where to go.

From May to September, venture into the wilderness

While Kazakhstan is rarely crowded, summer is peak season—and for good reason. The pleasant weather allows for deep exploration into the mountains, as most snow has melted from the passes by mid-June. Although many Kazakhs flock to the shores of Lake Issyk-Köl in neighboring Kyrgyzstan, others visit their own expansive lake at Burabay National Park. While Burabay village and the lake's entrance can attract crowds, the walking trails through birch forests lead to solitude. Spending a few days in the area is worthwhile; consider renting a catamaran or small boat on the lake, or hiking one of the hills for breathtaking views of the park.

The standout feature of a summer trip to Kazakhstan? Access to the Altai Mountains, a wilderness teeming with wildlife, where the remoteness adds a hint of adventure. You won’t find this place by chance. Katon-Karagay National Park should be at the top of your list for its lush meadows, local honey, and exquisite mountain cuisine.

Regions like the Ustyurt Plateau can be visited in summer: although it's a barren and arid steppe with scorching daytime temperatures, there’s always a refreshing breeze. The same applies to the city of Aktau, which boasts a shoreline filled with beaches and resorts along the Caspian Sea.

In spring and autumn, immerse yourself in nature and culture

Spring arrives at varying times throughout this expansive country: May in the north and April in the south. Regardless of when it starts, Kazakh spring is brief and always heralded by Nauryz, celebrated around the third week of March. Across the nation (and all of Central Asia), this festival marks the seasonal change. The aroma of sumalak, a sweet paste made over a week from germinated wheat, fills the air in every square. National games, along with dancing and singing performances, are organized. Astana is particularly renowned for its grand Nauryz celebrations.

As spring reaches its zenith, both Kazakhs and visitors flock to the hills to witness the first wild tulips blooming in the meadows, quickly followed by stunning poppies. The hills surrounding Shymkent are particularly scenic during this season.

Autumn is a time of festivities in steppe cultures, including among the Kazakhs, with many weddings taking place during this season. In 2024, Astana will host the quadrennial World Nomad Games in mid-September.

With the forest colors shifting and temperatures cooling, autumn is the ideal time to explore Charyn Canyon, which can be too hot for enjoyment in summer. The edges of the Altai range in the east are also pleasant for hiking in early autumn, provided the first snows have not yet arrived.

For those exploring multiple '-stans,' spring and autumn are ideal seasons to visit, as the weather in warmer areas like Uzbekistan remains pleasant.

Winter offers an extreme adventure, perfect for thrill-seeking skiers

If braving -30°C (-22°F) doesn't deter you, a winter trip to Kazakhstan is a must. Mountain enthusiasts can hit the slopes at Shymbulak Ski Resort just outside Almaty, the largest ski resort in Central Asia, featuring runs that weave through the Tian Shan mountains.

Beyond skiing, winter in Kazakhstan can be challenging due to harsh winds sweeping across the steppe, bringing frigid temperatures akin to those of Siberia. On milder days in quaint villages, you might witness a game of kokpar, where horse riders compete using a dead goat instead of a polo ball. When the winds die down, the stark stillness and vastness of the steppe can feel both heavy and refreshing.