Explore Seven Underrated Gems In Kazakhstan This Summer

Monday, August 4, 2025

Kazakhstan, a state often overlooked arsenic a recreation destination, boasts stunning landscapes, rich | taste heritage, and unsocial escapade opportunities. This summer, see discovering these 7 hidden gems that will connection you an unforgettable experience, filled pinch nature, history, and adventure. From majestic canyons to serene lakes, each of these destinations has thing typical to offer.

1. Charyn Canyon: The Grand Canyon’s Hidden Cousin

Nearby Airport: Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Annual Visitors: Approximately 100,000 visitors each year
Adventure Activities: Hiking, off-road biking, stream rafting
Upcoming Event: A quality photography accumulation successful Almaty, showcasing stunning shots of Charyn Canyon and nan surrounding areas, will return spot successful July.

Known arsenic nan “little brother” of nan Grand Canyon, Charyn Canyon is simply a breathtaking destination located adjacent Almaty International Airport. With its striking reddish stone formations and vibrant colors, it draws quality lovers and photographers alike. The canyon spans complete 80 kilometers and features fascinating stone formations, including nan celebrated Valley of Castles. Visitors tin research nan canyon by hiking, engaging successful off-road biking, aliases moreover stream rafting on nan Charyn River. In July, a quality photography accumulation will return spot successful Almaty, showcasing nan beauty of this unthinkable earthy wonder.

2. Medeu and Shymbulak: The Ultimate Alpine Escape

Nearby Airport: Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Annual Visitors: Over 200,000 visitors annually
Adventure Activities: Hiking, upland biking, paragliding
Upcoming Event: The Shymbulak Summer Music Festival successful August, featuring section and world artists.

Medeu and Shymbulak, located adjacent Almaty International Airport, are celebrated destinations for some wintertime sports enthusiasts and summertime adventurers. Medeu is location to nan world’s highest skating rink, group successful a picturesque vale surrounded by towering mountains. Nearby, Shymbulak offers a modern skis resort, attracting complete 200,000 visitors annually. In summer, visitors tin hike and upland motorcycle connected scenic trails, aliases return portion successful exhilarating activities for illustration paragliding complete nan stunning alpine landscape. In August, nan Shymbulak Summer Music Festival will return place, offering a unsocial philharmonic acquisition group against a stunning upland backdrop.

3. Turkestan: The Heart of Kazakhstan’s Spiritual Legacy

Nearby Airport: Shymkent International Airport (CIT)
Annual Visitors: Approximately 150,000 visitors each year
Adventure Activities: Cultural tours, exploring humanities sites
Upcoming Event: The Turkestan Cultural Festival successful mid-August, pinch accepted euphony performances.

For a deeper taste experience, Turkestan is simply a must-visit destination. Home to nan UNESCO World Heritage-listed Khoja Ahmed Yasawi Mausoleum, Turkestan offers a glimpse into Kazakhstan’s belief and humanities past. The mausoleum is 1 of nan astir important Islamic monuments successful Central Asia and is surrounded by serene landscapes. With astir 150,000 visitors annually, nan metropolis is simply a celebrated taste destination. Explore nan Azret Sultan Complex and different humanities sites while immersing yourself successful nan rich | practice of nan region. In mid-August, nan Turkestan Cultural Festival will characteristic accepted euphony performances that item nan area’s vibrant taste history.

4. Lake Balkhash: A Unique Waterscape

Nearby Airport: Balkhash Airport (BXH)
Annual Visitors: Around 50,000 visitors annually
Adventure Activities: Fishing, kayaking, boating
Upcoming Event: A water sports festival featuring kite surfing and pitchy skiing.

Lake Balkhash is 1 of nan world’s largest lakes, located successful cardinal Kazakhstan. Famous for its unsocial earthy feature—half caller h2o and half saltwater—Lake Balkhash is simply a tranquil retreat cleanable for those seeking bid by nan water. With astir 50,000 visitors annually, it offers activities specified arsenic fishing, kayaking, and boating. Visitors tin besides research nan lake’s distant beaches and hidden coves. In nan summertime months, a water sports festival will return place, featuring competitions for illustration kite surfing and pitchy skiing, making it nan perfect spot for escapade seekers.

5. Altyn-Emel National Park: Nature’s Paradise

Nearby Airport: Taldykorgan Airport (TDK)
Annual Visitors: Approximately 25,000 visitors each year
Adventure Activities: Hiking, wildlife photography, camping
Upcoming Event: An eco-tourism conference successful Almaty successful September, focusing connected sustainable tourism practices.

For quality enthusiasts, Altyn-Emel National Park is simply a must-visit destination. Known for its unsocial landscapes, including nan celebrated Singing Dunes, this parkland is location to immoderate of nan astir striking earthy wonders successful Kazakhstan. Visitors tin bask hiking and wildlife photography, capturing images of type for illustration chaotic horses, ibex, and eagles. The parkland besides offers camping nether nan stars for those who want to afloat immerse themselves successful nature. In September, an eco-tourism conference will beryllium held successful Almaty, focusing connected sustainable tourism practices successful Kazakhstan’s earthy reserves.

6. Kolsai Lakes: The “Pearls of Northern Tien Shan”

Nearby Airport: Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Annual Visitors: About 40,000 visitors annually
Adventure Activities: Trekking, camping, kayaking, fishing
Upcoming Event: The Almaty Hiking and Eco-Adventure Festival successful precocious summer, promoting eco-tourism and outdoor activities.

Kolsai Lakes, a bid of 3 stunning turquoise lakes nestled successful nan Zailiyskiy Alatau Mountains, are often referred to arsenic nan “Pearls of Northern Tien Shan.” This breathtaking destination attracts astir 40,000 visitors annually, who travel to bask nan serene beauty and tranquility of nan lakes. Trekking and camping are celebrated activities, pinch respective trails offering panoramic views of nan lakes and surrounding mountains. Visitors tin besides effort kayaking and sportfishing successful nan crystal-clear waters. At nan extremity of summer, nan Almaty Hiking and Eco-Adventure Festival will beryllium held, promoting outdoor activities and eco-tourism successful nan region.

7. Petroglyphs of Tamgaly: Ancient Rock Art

Nearby Airport: Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Annual Visitors: Around 15,000 visitors annually
Adventure Activities: Historical tours, trekking
Upcoming Event: A cultural practice seminar successful Almaty successful August, focusing connected nan preservation and mentation of ancient petroglyphs.

For history buffs, nan Tamgaly Petroglyphs are a must-see. Located adjacent Almaty International Airport, this UNESCO World Heritage tract features stone carvings that day backmost to nan Bronze Age. These ancient petroglyphs picture early quality life, animals, and celestial symbols, offering a fascinating glimpse into nan past. Visitors tin return humanities tours and bask trekking astir nan tract to research nan ancient carvings. In August, a cultural practice seminar will beryllium held successful Almaty, focusing connected nan preservation and mentation of these singular ancient artworks.

Conclusion: Discover nan Hidden Wonders of Kazakhstan This Summer

Kazakhstan is location to a wealthiness of underrated destinations, each offering unsocial experiences for escapade seekers, quality lovers, and history enthusiasts. From nan stunning landscapes of Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes to nan rich | taste practice of Turkestan and nan Tamgaly Petroglyphs, Kazakhstan is simply a wealth trove waiting to beryllium explored. With breathtaking events taking spot passim nan summer, now is nan cleanable clip to scheme your travel to this hidden gem of Central Asia.