Almaty

International · Kazakhstan

Almaty

Currency
KZT

Fixed departures

Go with a group

Travellers

Almaty, in their words.

  • Almaty, Unpacked — travellers

    Booked this one fairly late and still got a seat on the October batch. Transfers and check-ins were sorted before we arrived anywhere, which I had not expected at this price. Already looking at their Vietnam, Unpacked · 5N/6D trip.

    Devika Rao, Nagpur

  • Almaty, Unpacked — travellers

    First group trip for me, and Land in Almaty on day one took the nerves out of it. City tour is the bit I keep describing to people who did not go. Already looking at their Vietnam, Unpacked · 5N/6D trip.

    Rohan Menon, Coimbatore

  • Almaty, Unpacked — travellers

    5 nights was exactly right — long enough to settle, short enough to take off work. Shopping came around just as the group had hit its stride, which was annoying in the best way. Only note: carry more cash than you think you need.

    Yash Kapoor, Indore

  • Almaty, Unpacked — travellers

    Went in with low expectations about travelling with strangers and came back with a group chat that is still going. Stays were simple rather than fancy, clean, and always where they said they would be. Worth every rupee, and I am not easy to please on that.

    Meera Bose, Gurugram

  • Almaty, Unpacked — travellers

    Was deciding between two operators and picked this for the itinerary. No regrets. Kaindy Lake was the day everyone had come for, and it delivered. Worth every rupee, and I am not easy to please on that.

    Pooja Gupta, Kochi

  • Almaty · New Year (flights included) — travellers

    Was deciding between two operators and picked this for the itinerary. No regrets. Shopping is the bit I keep describing to people who did not go. Would book with them again without checking anywhere else first.

    Aditi Singh, Lucknow

  • Almaty · New Year (flights included) — travellers

    Paid, packed, turned up. That was genuinely the whole job. Stays were simple rather than fancy, clean, and always where they said they would be. Worth every rupee, and I am not easy to please on that.

    Arjun Pillai, Chandigarh

  • Almaty · New Year (flights included) — travellers

    Travelled solo and never once felt like the odd one out. Shopping came around just as the group had hit its stride, which was annoying in the best way. Only note: carry more cash than you think you need.

    Dhruv Thakur, Bhopal

  • Almaty · New Year (flights included) — travellers

    5 nights was exactly right — long enough to settle, short enough to take off work. The pace was honest — a couple of early starts, and they told us in advance rather than springing them. Worth every rupee, and I am not easy to please on that.

    Harini Menon, Mumbai

  • Almaty · New Year (flights included) — travellers

    Went in with low expectations about travelling with strangers and came back with a group chat that is still going. Transfers and check-ins were sorted before we arrived anywhere, which I had not expected at this price. Would do it again with the same crew.

    Rohan Joshi, Delhi

On the plate

What to eat in Almaty

Beshbarmak

Beshbarmak

Meat and noodles.

Chak-Chak

Chak-Chak

Fried honey cake.

Plov

Plov

Rice pilaf.

Manty

Manty

Steamed dumplings.

Samsa

Samsa

Baked meat pastries.

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Asked and answered

Questions about Almaty

  • Do Indians need a visa for Almaty (Kazakhstan)?

    No. Indian passport holders can enter Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 14 days per visit, with a cap of 42 days in any 180-day period. Stays longer than 14 days need an e-visa applied for online before travel. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months.

  • What's the best time to visit Almaty?

    May to September is best for sightseeing, with pleasant weather for Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes. December to March is ski season at Shymbulak, with snowy mountain views and very cold temperatures.

  • How many days are enough for Almaty?

    5-6 days covers the city, Medeu and Shymbulak, Big Almaty Lake, and day trips to Charyn Canyon and Kolsai-Kaindy Lakes. Add 2-3 days to combine it with Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

  • Is vegetarian and Indian food available in Almaty?

    Yes, though local cuisine is meat-heavy. Almaty has several Indian restaurants, and most cafés offer vegetarian salads, breads, rice dishes and pastries. Tell your trip captain about dietary needs in advance.

  • What should I pack for Almaty?

    In summer, pack light layers, a jacket for mountain areas (it gets cold at the lakes), sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes. In winter, bring thermals, a heavy down jacket, gloves, a cap and snow boots. A sturdy suitcase with good wheels helps on long road trips to canyons and lakes.

  • What currency should I carry, and do cards work?

    Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). Carry USD to exchange at city exchange counters, which usually offer good rates. Cards work widely in Almaty, but keep cash for markets, small cafés and day trips outside the city.