Quick answer
Five days in Kazakhstan fits Almaty and its mountains. Spend day one in the city and at Kok-Tobe, day two on the Medeu–Shymbulak gondola, day three on a long trip to Charyn Canyon and the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, and day four at Big Almaty Lake. Mid-range land cost starts from about ₹32,000 per person, excluding flights.
The route
- Delhi/Mumbai
- Almaty
- Shymbulak
- Charyn
- Kolsai
- Kaindy
- Big Almaty Lake
- Almaty
- India
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive in Almaty
Morning: Land at Almaty airport, about 30 minutes from the centre.
Afternoon: Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and the Green Bazaar.
Evening: Cable car up Kok-Tobe for sunset over the city.
Stay: Golden Square, central Almaty
Install Yandex Go for taxis; save hotel addresses in Russian on your phone.
- 2
Day 2
Medeu and Shymbulak
Morning: Gondola from Medeu to Shymbulak and up to the Talgar pass at about 3,200 m.
Afternoon: Lunch at Shymbulak and a walk or snow play near the top station.
Evening: Stroll the Arbat (Zhibek Zholy) and dinner in the centre.
Stay: Golden Square, central Almaty
Go early on a clear day; clouds often roll in by early afternoon.
- 3
Day 3
Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy
Morning: Leave around 6 am for the Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon.
Afternoon: Kolsai lake and a local 4x4 to Kaindy's sunken forest.
Evening: Long drive back, arriving late evening.
Stay: Golden Square, central Almaty
With children or parents, book a two-day tour with a night in Saty village instead.
- 4
Day 4
Big Almaty Lake
Morning: Drive about 1.5 hours to the turquoise reservoir at around 2,500 m.
Afternoon: Back to the city; ride the Almaty Metro or shop at Dostyk Plaza.
Evening: Kazakh dinner; try baursak and Korean-style salads.
Stay: Golden Square, central Almaty
- 5
Day 5
Departure
Morning: Short walk in Ile-Alatau foothills or last souvenirs at the Green Bazaar.
Afternoon: Transfer to the airport.
Evening: Fly home; non-stop flights to Delhi take from about 3.5 hours.
Is 5 days enough for Almaty?
Yes, for the city and the three big nature days: the Shymbulak gondola, Charyn Canyon with the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, and Big Almaty Lake. Indian passport holders can visit visa-free for up to 14 days, and non-stop flights from Delhi and Mumbai make Almaty one of the quickest mountain escapes from India.
How this route works
All four nights are in central Almaty, so you unpack once. The mountains begin 20–30 minutes from the city, which keeps days two and four relaxed. Day three is the exception: Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy are 200–300 km east on slow roads, so expect a 14–16 hour day.
The winter version
From December to March, swap day three for a full ski or snow day at Shymbulak, with lessons for beginners, and day four for the Medeu outdoor skating rink. Big Almaty Lake is frozen and the remote lake roads can close, but the snow is the reason to come.
Ways to adjust it
- Slower: split day three into a two-day tour with a night in Saty.
- Seven days: add Astana by a 1.5–2 hour domestic flight.
What does this itinerary cost?
Mid-range land cost starts from about ₹32,000 per person, twin sharing, with four nights in a 4★ hotel, airport transfers, the guided Charyn–Kolsai–Kaindy and Big Almaty Lake tours, and breakfasts. Gondola tickets, meals and flights are extra. See the full Kazakhstan trip cost, the Kazakhstan visa rules, where to stay in Almaty and things to do in Kazakhstan.
Frequently asked questions
Is this Almaty itinerary suitable for elderly parents?
Do Indians need a visa for this trip?
Is Almaty expensive compared with Dubai?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
