Best time to visit Kazakhstan: month-by-month guide
Kazakhstan has a strongly continental climate, with hot summers, very cold winters and short shoulder seasons. Here is how the year plays out in Almaty, the mountains and Astana, month by month.
The best time to visit Kazakhstan is May to September, when mountain roads around Almaty are open, the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes are at their most colourful and long days suit trips to Charyn Canyon. June and September are the sweet spots for many travellers, avoiding the hottest weeks on the steppe; winter is for skiing near Almaty and for travellers happy with severe cold in Astana.
Kazakhstan's climate in brief
Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, and distance from the sea gives it a sharply continental climate: summers can be hot, winters are long and cold, and spring and autumn are short. The south-east, around Almaty and the Tian Shan foothills, is generally milder than the northern steppe around Astana, where winters are long and severe. In the mountains, weather changes quickly at any time of year.
We have not quoted average temperatures here because they vary enormously with altitude and region. Your specialist will give you a current forecast and packing advice for your exact route.
Month-by-month guide
| Month | Weather/conditions | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Deep winter; very cold in Astana, snowy in the mountains | Skiing at Shymbulak, Medeu skating | Mountain lakes frozen; short days |
| February | Still cold across the country | Winter sports near Almaty | Some mountain roads restricted by snow |
| March | Thaw begins in the south; north stays cold | Nauryz celebrations, Almaty city stays | Nauryz, the spring new year, is a public holiday in late March |
| April | Spring in the south; muddy at altitude | Almaty, Tamgaly petroglyphs, Turkestan | Steppe briefly green; higher trails may still be snowbound |
| May | Warm and fresh in the south | Charyn Canyon, Altyn-Emel, Almaty | Start of the main touring season |
| June | Warm; long days | Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, Big Almaty Lake, hiking | Excellent month for combining mountains and cities |
| July | Hot in the lowlands and on the steppe | High-mountain hikes, Burabay | Peak domestic holiday period; busy at weekends |
| August | Hot in canyons; pleasant at altitude | Mountain lakes, Shymbulak by cable car | Book lake guesthouses early |
| September | Warm days, cooler nights; autumn colour starts | Hiking, Charyn, Astana | Often the most comfortable all-round month |
| October | Cooling quickly, especially in the north | Almaty's autumn, Turkestan and the south | Higher roads and trails can see early snow |
| November | Early winter conditions | City breaks in Almaty and Astana | Quiet season; mountain access depends on snowfall |
| December | Cold and snowy | Ski season opening, festive Astana | Pack serious winter clothing for the north |
Regional differences
Almaty and the Tian Shan
Most of our travellers base themselves in Almaty, where the city sits beneath snow-capped peaks. Summer is the time for day trips to Big Almaty Lake, the forested Kolsai Lakes and the sunken forest of Kaindy Lake. In winter, Medeu and Shymbulak above the city become a skating rink and ski resort. The UK Foreign Office warns that trekking areas carry real avalanche, landslide and rockfall risks and that mountain weather can change fast, so go with a reputable guide.
Canyons and desert parks
Charyn Canyon and Altyn-Emel National Park lie in drier, lower country east of Almaty. They can be very hot in midsummer, so May, June and September are the most comfortable months for walking the canyon floor. The Charyn park authority says its tourist routes operate all year.
Astana and the north
Astana is a year-round city break, but its steppe winters are severe. From late spring to early autumn the city's striking architecture, from Baiterek to Khan Shatyr, is easier to explore on foot, and the lakes and pine forests of Burabay a few hours away are at their best in summer.
The south and the Silk Road
Turkestan and Shymkent in the far south are warmer than the rest of the country. Spring and autumn are ideal for the Silk Road monuments, as summer can be very hot.
Festivals and events
- Nauryz: the spring new-year festival in late March, with public celebrations, traditional food and yurts set up in city squares.
- Summer weekends: mountain lakes and parks near Almaty get busy with domestic visitors, especially in July and August.
- Ski season: Shymbulak usually operates through the winter months, depending on snow.
- Independence Day and other public holidays: check dates with your specialist, as hotels can fill up.
What to pack by season
- Summer: sun protection and a hat for the canyons, plus a warm layer and waterproof for the mountains, where mornings and evenings are cool.
- Spring and autumn: layers for sharp swings between warm afternoons and cold nights, and waterproof footwear for muddy trails.
- Winter: proper insulated clothing, gloves and boots, especially for Astana; ski kit can be hired at Shymbulak.
- All year: sturdy walking shoes for lake trails and the canyon floor, and your original passport, which police may ask to see.
Crowds and prices
Kazakhstan is still a quiet destination for overseas travellers, but domestic tourism peaks in July and August and at weekends, particularly around Almaty's mountain lakes. Weekday excursions and the shoulder months of May, June and September usually feel calmer. See our Kazakhstan trip cost guide for how timing affects our prices, and our first-timer's Kazakhstan guide for routes and practicalities.
Choosing your dates
Our Almaty Lakes & Charyn Canyon itinerary is designed for May to September. The Astana & Almaty city-and-culture trip works across a wider window, though spring to autumn is most comfortable. Explore our Kazakhstan destination page, then customise your Kazakhstan trip around the season you have in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Kazakhstan holiday packages
Kazakhstan · 7 nights4★ HotelAlmaty Lakes & Charyn Canyon
- Big Almaty Lake
- Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy
- Charyn Canyon
Kazakhstan · 6 nights4★ HotelAstana & Almaty
- Baiterek Tower
- Hazrat Sultan Mosque
- Kok-Tobe hill
