Kazakhstan · NATIONAL PARKS
Parks here are measured in hundreds of kilometres, and the gate is rarely the destination. These 8 cover Burabay in the north and Altyn Emel in the southeast, with the drive each way, the park fee and how far you walk once you are inside.
Review of Burabay National Park from Astana, with Bolektau views, Kazakh lunch, lake boat ride or horseback riding, and private pickup.
“Burabay is well worth visiting with great scenery. We were lucky, we chose a perfect day with warm temperature and clear skies. The boat trips and lunch were great. Our guide Omar was knowledge and friendly and filled us in about a lot of information.”
Review of a small-group Burabai National Park day tour from Astana, with Bolektau hikes, lake views, English guides, and practical tips.
“Unforgettable Journey to the Pearl of Kazakhstan – Barabai Our trip from Astana to Barabai was nothing short of amazing. From the moment we set off, everything was smooth, well-organized, and deeply enjoyable. What truly made the journey special was our guide Denis — fluent in English, well-educated in both Europe and Saudi Arabia, and impressively knowledgeable about the region’s history, culture, and natural beauty. He drove with great care, making the long road feel incredibly safe and comfortable. Along the way, he introduced us to the stunning landscapes and hidden gems of Barabai, a place I now understand why it’s called the pearl of Kazakhstan. From majestic mountains and…”
Escape Astana for Burabay’s pine forests, lake views, Bolektau hike, Zhumbaktas rock, Botay culture, and a private guided day out.
“Interesting tour with a great guide who is extremely friendly, caring and speaks perfect English. I very much enjoyed the day and would highly recommend the tour.”
Escape Astana for Burabay National Park, with pine forests, lake views, a museum visit, boat ride, horse ride, and guide Damir.
“¡Fue un día maravilloso! El tour a Burabay superó todas mis expectativas. El paisaje es impresionante, lleno de montañas, lagos cristalinos y aire puro. Todo estuvo muy bien organizado y cómodo desde el inicio. Nuestro guía fue muy amable, atento y conocía muchísimo sobre la historia y naturaleza del lugar, lo que hizo la experiencia aún más especial. Me encantó cada parada que hicimos y cómo se cuidaron todos los detalles. Definitivamente fue uno de los mejores días de mi viaje. ¡Muy recomendado!”
Review of the Burabay National Park tour from Astana, with pine forests, blue lakes, Bolektau Mountain, lunch, transport, value, and tips.
“This was a fun day out with my tour guide/driver Timur. The drive from Astana to Burabay takes approx 3 hours so I had plenty of time to get prepared for what I was doing. The first part was the hiking which was 45 minutes uphill and rewarded with great views of the park. Read more”
Review the 2-day Altyn Emel tour from Almaty, with Aktau Mountains, Singing Barkhan, SUV transport, English guides, and practical booking advice.
“Altyn Emel National Park is amazing place. We have very enjoyable camping there. Thanks to AbdiTravel for this holidays!🔥”
Explore Altyn Emel from Almaty on a private two-day trip to the Aktau Mountains, Katutau peaks, Singing Dunes, and a Kazakh family guesthouse.
“The prep communication was good, the pickup was on time and the car was quite comfortable, and well equipped for the "washboard" roads in the mountains. Our guide, Mikhail, was very accommodating and easy-going.”
Explore Altyn Emel from Almaty on a private 2-day SUV tour with singing dunes, Aktau chalk mountains, rock art, and meals included.
“Sultan was a very good guide. He shared his passion for his country and the nature with us. Beautiful senaries, a good car, good food and luck with the weather”
Pick a canyon, a lake or a mountain road.
