Kazakhstan is a country of remarkable scale, where mountain landscapes, open steppe and cities shaped by different eras sit within the same journey. The most memorable experiences in Kazakhstan invite you to move beyond the landmarks: ride across open country with local hosts, walk through a centuries-old bazaar, or watch evening settle over a mountain lake.
Each encounter reveals another side of the country—its nomadic heritage, its regional flavours and the many cultures that have shaped life here.
Ride through the foothills with local hosts
In the Almaty region, the connection between horses and Kazakh culture comes to life in the foothills of the Alatau. Join local families who still herd on horseback, learn about traditional tack and ride across open plains.
The experience is as much about time spent together as the ride itself. Sharing kumis in a yurt or hearing how equestrian traditions are carried forward offers a personal introduction to a culture closely connected to the land.
Meet the tradition of eagle hunting
In regions such as Nura or Karaganda, spend time with a berkutchi—an eagle hunter—and learn about the relationship between hunter and golden eagle. The practice carries knowledge passed between generations, and a guided encounter can help place it in its cultural context.
It is a rare opportunity to understand a tradition through the people who continue it, rather than seeing it only as a performance.
Spend a night on the steppe
A stay in a traditional felt yurt offers a different rhythm of travel. By day, daily activities might include preparing flatbreads or helping with the work of a family’s livestock. In the evening, gather around the hearth for dombra music and conversation.
Far from city lights, the steppe seems to open in every direction. A night here can make the country’s vastness feel less like a statistic and more like something you experience for yourself.
Follow the Silk Road through markets and monuments
In Shymkent, the bazaar remains a lively place to browse spices, dried fruit and handmade carpets. Taking time to talk with stallholders can turn a market visit into a window onto local life and the region’s trading heritage.
Kazakhstan’s history also comes into focus at places such as the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, the petroglyphs of Tamgaly and the ruins of Otrar. These sites hold different stories—from spiritual devotion to the movement of ancient communities across Central Asia.
Find stillness among Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes
Near Almaty, a journey to Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes brings a change of pace. Alpine scenery frames the water, while Kaindy’s submerged tree trunks create one of the region’s most distinctive views.
Walking with a local guide offers time to hear the stories associated with the landscape and to notice how the mountains, forests and lakes shape everyday escapes for Kazakh families.
Taste Kazakhstan, one shared meal at a time
Food is another way into the country’s regional character. Beshbarmak, often prepared for guests and celebrations, is traditionally shared at the table. Baursaks appear at many occasions, while bazaar stalls offer dishes such as lagman and samsa.
Sampling these dishes is not simply a way to try something new. It is a chance to share in the generous, communal spirit that shapes so many Kazakh meals.
Discover Kazakhstan at your own pace
From horseback rides and steppe stays to Silk Road sites and mountain lakes, Kazakhstan travel experiences reward curiosity and an open schedule. No single stop tells the whole story. Together, they reveal a country where heritage remains present in daily life and where the landscape is always part of the journey.
Explore Away&Co’s Kazakhstan destination guide and ask for a sample itinerary shaped around the experiences that interest you most.
