Kazakhstan Travel Guide: Budget & Itinerary from Almaty

Kazakhstan has always been one of my dream destinations in Central Asia. But coming from the Philippines, traveling to this region hasn’t been easy because of limited flight options. Thankfully, AirAsia launched a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty, which makes Kazakhstan more accessible than ever. When the route was introduced, they offered promo fares for as low as ₱2,400 roundtrip all-in, and I instantly grabbed the chance. After booking, I started researching where to go, what to do, and how to plan my trip. I spent 6 days total in Kazakhstan, using Almaty as my base. I explored the city and nearby attractions through day tours. In this post, I’ll share my Kazakhstan travel guide, budget, and the best places to visit from Almaty, which is perfect for first-time travelers to this underrated part of Central Asia.

Kazakhstan Travel Itinerary

With a total of 5 days in Almaty, Kazakhstan, I was able to visit a lot of places in and around the city. I traveled at the end of winter, so the weather was still cold and there was still some snow around, which I really enjoyed. I explored Almaty on my own and also joined a tour for some of the day trips. It was a good mix that helped me see more without feeling rushed. Here’s a quick outline of my Kazakhstan travel itinerary:

Day 1:

• Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Almaty
• Check in at Wanderlust Hostel Almaty

Day 2:

• Shymbulak Mountain Resort

Day 3:

• Almaty City Tour
  • Almaty Television Tower
  • Teppehkyp
  • Dostyk Plaza
  • Independence Monument

Day 4:

• Almaty City Tour:
  • Ascension Cathedral
  • 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park
  • Museum of Musical Instruments
  • Green Bazaar
  • Almaty Central Mosque

Day 5:

• Day Trip from Almaty:
  • Charyn National Park
  • Black Canyon
  • Kaindy Lake
  • Kolsai Lake

Day 6:

• Flight from Almaty to Kuala Lumpur

Activities and Tours

When in Almaty, there’s always something to do. Depending on the season, you’ll find lots of tours and activities—whether it’s exploring nature, going on a day trip, or just enjoying the city.

Exploring the city of Almaty

Most of my time in Kazakhstan was spent exploring the city. On my first day, I went to Shymbulak Mountain Resort, one of the most popular spots near the city. I rode the cable car up the mountain and enjoyed the snowy views from above. I didn’t try skiing at the time, but looking back, I kind of regret not giving it a shot. It looked like so much fun, and now I wish I did! The rest of my days in Almaty were spent walking around the parks and checking out different sights around the city. It’s an easy place to explore on your own, with a good mix of nature and local charm.

Day Trip from Almaty

One of the best parts of my trip was joining a group day tour to Charyn National Park, Black Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake. The tour cost around ₱1,200 per person and started early in the morning. We left at around 6:00 AM and returned to the city around 9:00 PM. It was a long and tiring day, but every stop was worth it. My favorite moment was riding a horse to reach Kolsai Lake. The views were breathtaking, and the whole experience felt unreal and magical. It was definitely one of the highlights of my Kazakhstan trip.

If you’re planning to join this activity, here’s the local agency I contacted. You can also book tours online through Klook or GetYourGuide. Don’t forget to use my promo codes for extra savings.

Promo Codes:
MARXTERMINDKLOOK (for Klook)
MARXTERMIND10 (for GetYourGuide)

Local Agency:
Panda Travel KZ
WhatsApp Number: +7 705 370 1025
Instagram: @pandatravel_kz

Note: Let them know you found out about this tour through this blog! 🙂

Travel Budget

Here’s an estimate of my expenses during my visit to help you plan your own trip.

Flight and transportation

• AirAsia roundtrip ticket (Kuala Lumpur to Almaty) – ₱2,400
  • 20kg checked baggage and meals – ₱5,640
• Airport transfers (Yandex) – ₱900
• Other transportation – ₱500

Accommodation

• Wanderlust Hostel Almaty (6D/5N stay in a mixed dorm room) – ₱3,150

Activities and tours

• Shymbulak Mountain Resort (Entrance fee ticket including cable car ride) – ₱650
• Day Trip from Almaty (Charyn Canyon National Park, Black Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake) – ₱1,200
• Horseback riding to Kolsai Lake (roundtrip) – ₱700

Food

• Food and drinks for 6 days – ₱6,000

Other expenses

• Souvenir – ₱500
• Sim card data – ₱610

Summary of Travel Expenses

• Flight – ₱8,040
• Transportation – ₱1,400
• Activities and tours – ₱2,550
• Accommodation – ₱3,150
• Food – ₱6,000
• Shopping – ₱500
• Other Expenses – ₱610
  Total: Php22,250

After spending 6 days in Kazakhstan, I have to say that it’s one of those places I’d love to visit again. I wish I had given myself more time, especially to explore other beautiful spots like Big Almaty Lake. Travel costs were also surprisingly affordable, making it one of the most budget-friendly trips I’ve had.

Where to book hotels and activities?

Unlock exclusive hotel deals and uncover the best activities and attractions through the following travel apps below.

Klook: Use this promo code ‘MARXTERMINDKLOOK’ to get discounts on hotel and activities up to 5% off.

Agoda: Explore more accommodation options with the Agoda search box below!

Got some questions? Put it in the comment section below!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. For more information, see my disclosures here.