Going to the mountains in Kazakhstan: trekking & hiking

Hiking in the mountains during a trip to Kazakhstan is a must!

Why?

• The mountains of Kazakhstan have remained largely untouched, rugged, and unspoiled.
• It's the best way to discover some of the country's most picturesque landscapes, which are often inaccessible by other means.
• It's a way to understand the country's culture and identity.
• To experience a rare sense of freedom that is hard to find elsewhere.

Who is it for?

• Beginners: some routes are suitable for occasional hikers and families, with marked trails and picnic areas.
• Intermediate to advanced: especially in the south of the country, many mountains offer spectacular views and more challenging hikes, ideal for challenging yourself while remaining accessible.
• Experts: in both the north and south, some mountain ranges require solid experience in climbing or snow trekking, offering exceptional terrain for those seeking to push themselves.

What mountains are there in Kazakhstan?

There are two mountain ranges in Kazakhstan: the Altai and the Tian Shan.

Altai: the ancient mountains

Location: northeastern Kazakhstan

Highest point: mount Belukha – 4,506 m (located on the Russian-Kazakh border)

Climate: cold continental, with long, harsh winters

The Altai Mountains are difficult to access and the region remains largely unspoiled and undeveloped. It is strongly advised not to travel there alone, even for experienced mountaineers, due to the isolation and sometimes unpredictable conditions.

This mountain range is therefore primarily intended for travelers with solid experience in mountain environments and accompanied by local guides.

For a first visit to Kazakhstan, and in order to more easily appreciate the diversity of its landscapes, it is generally preferable not to focus on the Altai.

Tian Shan: the heavenly mountains

Location: south and southeast Kazakhstan

Highest point: Khan Tengri Peak – 6,995 m (7,010 m with the glacier)

Climate: Alpine, with significant seasonal variations

The Tian Shan mountains are gradually becoming more accessible and suitable for tourism, particularly due to their proximity to the city of Almaty.

This has encouraged the development of infrastructure, including marked trails, access roads, developed sites, and supervised tourist services.

The relatively milder climate, compared to other mountainous regions of Kazakhstan, allows for extensive hiking and outdoor activities from spring to fall, and even year-round in some areas, provided you are well equipped.

⚠️ However, it is highly recommended that you hire a local guide for your mountain excursions!  Accidents are still too frequent, even among experienced hikers, due to the wild and unpredictable nature of the terrain.

This article focuses on the Tian Shan, and more specifically the Ile-Alatau National Park near Almaty, which is easily accessible to Western tourists.

Discover the mountains of Kazakhstan near Almaty

From the Kok Zhailau plateau to Terra, the Ile-Alatau National Park in the Almaty region offers a wide variety of spectacular landscapes accessible to all levels, even beginners.

For experienced mountaineers and hikers, there is a wide choice:

• The Great Peak of Almaty (3,680 m): the region's iconic summit, offering panoramic views of Almaty and the surrounding glaciers.
• Tourist Peak (3,954 m): popular for its gradual ascent and open alpine landscapes.
• Sovetov Peak (4,317 m): more technical, reserved for seasoned climbers, with rugged terrain and more demanding conditions.
• Nursultan Peak, also often called Komsomol Peak (4,376 m): an imposing and challenging summit, requiring real mountaineering experience.

However, trekking in Kazakhstan is not the same as hiking in the Alps: here, not all the paths are always very well marked, and there are no houses or inns waiting for you for the night.

So, we take the backpacks and get ready to sleep in the mountains !

🏔️ Come and discover our multi-day expeditions at the foot of Mount Belukha in the Altai Mountains or our horseback treks in the Tian Shan Mountains! Do you have other destination ideas in mind? Feel free to contact us for advice or to help you organize your next trip.

Hiking and trekking in Kazakhstan: how do you go about it?

Firstly, it is strongly advised not to go there alone, even in a group and even if you are experienced mountain climbers.

The mountain is unpredictable and has very few, if any, markings. It is therefore strongly recommended that you hire a guide who can accompany you in complete safety.

There are also many amateur hiking groups and companies that organize hikes at affordable prices. They can usually be found on Instagram.

Finally, unless you are coming to Kazakhstan with your own tent and all the necessary equipment, we recommend that you opt for a group trip with a local company: they will provide you with the necessary equipment and organize everything on site.

Feel free to contact us on Instagram or WhatsApp if you need help planning your itinerary or finding local hiking groups and guides.

Mountain hiking and trekking in Kazakhstan near Almaty: 3 routes

Here are three ideas for one-day hiking trails in Kazakhstan starting from the city of Almaty, suitable for people of average physical condition:

1 - Big Almaty Lake and Big Almaty Peak

Big Almaty Lake (Большое Алматинское Озеро, more commonly referred to as BAO (БАО)), is located at an altitude of 2,510 m and is clearly visible from Big Almaty Peak (Большой Алматинский Пик, or BAP (БАП)), which rises to 3,680 m. An asphalt road leads to BAO; from there, you must continue on to Kosmostantsya (the space station) to reach the foot of BAP.

Local taxi drivers can also take visitors directly to the station, but this option is relatively expensive (expect to pay at least €80 to €100 per trip), especially since the road is normally closed to motor traffic.

2 - The Furmanova and Panorama peaks

Located at 3,053 m and 3,260 m above sea level respectively, the paths leading to these two peaks are easy to spot from the base of Medeu, an iconic site above Almaty, known for its famous high-altitude ice rink and serving as the starting point for many mountain hikes.

We strongly recommend continuing on to the Panorama viewpoint: the view of the surrounding mountains and valley is simply magnificent.

3 - Kok Zhalauy (Кок Жайляу), Three Brothers Peak (Три Брата) and Kumbel (Кумбель)

This is a three-stage itinerary, depending on your physical condition. Kok Zhalauy is at an altitude of 1,450 m, the Three Brothers are at 2,871, then Kumbel Peak at 3,230 m. This hike is also very good in winter.

These hikes are designed for the average athletic tourist. They are not recommended for people who have never hiked before, but are still accessible to those in good physical condition. If you are a beginner and would like a customized itinerary with overnight stays in the mountains or more wild and isolated areas, please do not hesitate to contact us.

📚 You may be interested in these readings:

Travelling to Kazakhstan as a single woman

Do you need a visa to go to Kazakhstan?

Is Kazakhstan dangerous?

Visit Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan

Budget to go to Kazakhstan

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