charyn.kz an independent guide to wild Kazakhstan

What a national park trip costs: 29 protected areas, three scenarios

We calculated visitor fees for three typical trips — a couple by car, a family for two days, a group by bus — across all 29 protected areas with approved tariffs.

Verified: 2026-10

Valley of Castles, Charyn: the dirt road along the floor
PhotoValley of Castles, Charyn: the dirt road along the floor · Necip Duman / Pexels

Key findings

  • A couple by car for one day pays from 0.3 MCI (Burabay, weekday) to 1.3 MCI (Altyn-Emel) — 4.3× apart; median 0.9 MCI.
  • A family of four for two days pays 0.6–2.5 MCI; the per-person line now outweighs the car.
  • A group of 20 by bus pays 2–11 MCI, 5.5× apart.

Couple by car, one day

2 people, 1 day, car · ₸ · MCI 2026 = 4,325 ₸
  1. Altyn-Emel 5,622.5 ₸
  2. Almaty Reserve 4,757.5 ₸
  3. Aksu-Zhabagly 4,757.5 ₸
  4. West Altai Reserve 4,757.5 ₸
  5. Korgalzhyn 4,757.5 ₸
  6. Markakol 4,757.5 ₸
  7. Naurzum 4,757.5 ₸
  8. Ustyurt Reserve 4,757.5 ₸
  9. Karatau Reserve 4,757.5 ₸
  10. Charyn 4,757.5 ₸
  11. Kolsai Lakes 4,757.5 ₸
  12. Irgiz-Turgai 4,757.5 ₸
  13. Zhongar-Alatau 4,325 ₸
  14. Karkaraly 3,892.5 ₸
  15. Alakol 3,892.50 ₸
  16. Kokshetau 3,460 ₸
  17. Katon-Karagay 3,460 ₸
  18. Tarbagatai 3,460 ₸
  19. Sayram-Ugam 3,027.5 ₸
  20. Buiratau 3,027.5 ₸
  21. Akzhaiyk 3,027.5 ₸
  22. Bayanaul 3,027.5 ₸
  23. Ulytau 3,027.5 ₸
  24. Semey Ormany 2,595 ₸
  25. Ile-Alatau 2,595 ₸
  26. Ile-Balkhash 2,595 ₸
  27. Ertis Ormany 2,162.5 ₸
  28. Altyn Dala 2,162.5 ₸
  29. Burabay 1,297.5 ₸

Group by bus

20 people, bus · ₸ · MCI 2026 = 4,325 ₸
  1. Altyn-Emel 47,575 ₸
  2. Almaty Reserve 38,925 ₸
  3. Aksu-Zhabagly 38,925 ₸
  4. West Altai Reserve 38,925 ₸
  5. Korgalzhyn 38,925 ₸
  6. Markakol 38,925 ₸
  7. Naurzum 38,925 ₸
  8. Ustyurt Reserve 38,925 ₸
  9. Karatau Reserve 38,925 ₸
  10. Charyn 38,925 ₸
  11. Kolsai Lakes 38,925 ₸
  12. Karkaraly 34,600 ₸
  13. Katon-Karagay 34,600 ₸
  14. Zhongar-Alatau 34,600 ₸
  15. Tarbagatai 34,600 ₸
  16. Irgiz-Turgai 32,437.5 ₸
  17. Ulytau 30,275 ₸
  18. Alakol 30,275 ₸
  19. Kokshetau 28,112.5 ₸
  20. Sayram-Ugam 25,950 ₸
  21. Buiratau 25,950 ₸
  22. Akzhaiyk 25,950 ₸
  23. Bayanaul 25,950 ₸
  24. Ile-Alatau 25,085 ₸
  25. Ile-Balkhash 21,625 ₸
  26. Semey Ormany 17,300 ₸
  27. Ertis Ormany 17,300 ₸
  28. Altyn Dala 17,300 ₸
  29. Burabay 8,650 ₸

All areas and scenarios

Protected area2 people, 1 day, car4 people, 2 days, car20 people, bus
Altyn-Emel5,622.5 ₸10,812.5 ₸47,575 ₸
Almaty Reserve4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
Aksu-Zhabagly4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
West Altai Reserve4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
Korgalzhyn4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
Markakol4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
Naurzum4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
Ustyurt Reserve4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
Karatau Reserve4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
Charyn4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
Kolsai Lakes4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸38,925 ₸
Irgiz-Turgai4,757.5 ₸9,947.5 ₸32,437.5 ₸
Zhongar-Alatau4,325 ₸9,515 ₸34,600 ₸
Karkaraly3,892.5 ₸9,082.5 ₸34,600 ₸
Alakol3,892.50 ₸7,785.00 ₸30,275 ₸
Kokshetau3,460 ₸8,650 ₸28,112.5 ₸
Katon-Karagay3,460 ₸8,650 ₸34,600 ₸
Tarbagatai3,460 ₸8,650 ₸34,600 ₸
Sayram-Ugam3,027.5 ₸6,920 ₸25,950 ₸
Buiratau3,027.5 ₸6,920 ₸25,950 ₸
Akzhaiyk3,027.5 ₸8,217.5 ₸25,950 ₸
Bayanaul3,027.5 ₸6,920 ₸25,950 ₸
Ulytau3,027.5 ₸6,920 ₸30,275 ₸
Semey Ormany2,595 ₸5,190 ₸17,300 ₸
Ile-Alatau2,595 ₸6,487.5 ₸25,085 ₸
Ile-Balkhash2,595 ₸6,487.5 ₸21,625 ₸
Ertis Ormany2,162.5 ₸4,757.5 ₸17,300 ₸
Altyn Dala2,162.5 ₸4,757.5 ₸17,300 ₸
Burabay1,297.5 ₸2,595 ₸8,650 ₸

Methodology and limits

Calculated from the lines of Order No. 232 (28 appendices) and the Burabay act No. 04/276; tenge at the current year’s MCI. One vehicle entry in each scenario; Burabay counted on a weekday rate. Discounts, park services and the separate tax-code charge are not included. Work out your own trip in the fee calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the cheapest and most expensive visit for a couple by car?
Cheapest is Burabay on a weekday — 0.3 MCI for the car and no per-person fee. Most expensive is Altyn-Emel — 1.3 MCI. The median across 29 areas is 0.9 MCI.
Does this include all trip costs?
No — only visitor fees under the orders. Fuel, food, accommodation, park services and discounts are not included.

Sources

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