Where to go in Kazakhstan in summer

In summer Kazakhstan’s outdoors splits in two. The southern deserts and canyons — Charyn, Altyn-Emel, Bozzhyra — bake: Altyn-Emel hits +33…+43 °C on July afternoons and Mangystau passes +40 °C. In exchange, places that are closed or uncomfortable the rest of the year open up: the high lakes of the Tian Shan, the Altai and the swimming lakes of the north. So this list is about water and altitude — where to swim and where to head into the mountains for a few days.

The flip side is crowds. Our seasonality study shows Burabay searches peak in June–July and Bayanaul’s in July. If you can, go midweek.

1. Alakol — beaches on a steppe lake

A 2,696 km² lake on the Zhetysu–Abai border and the southeast’s main beach destination. People swim at the resort villages of Akshi, Koktuma and Kabanbay, which sit outside the Alakol reserve, so the reserve’s fee doesn’t apply to a beach holiday. From Almaty it is 9–10 hours by car or bus; Wikipedia mentions a seasonal train to Koktuma in June–August taking about 16 hours, but check current timetables. One firm summer rule: from May to September the Araltobe islands are closed to all boats because the relict gull nests there, inside a 2 km protection zone. A boatman’s offer of a “ride out to the gull islands” is a violation. See Alakol.

2. Burabay — pines and granite by the water

About 257 km and three hours from Astana, or by train to Kurort-Borovoe station in Shchuchinsk. Lake Borovoe is shallow — 7 m at most, 3.4 m on average — and framed by granite: Zhumbaktas rises about 20 m out of the water opposite Okzhetpes. Beyond the beach there are hikes: an 8 km route up Bolektau and a trail to the summit of Kokshe (947 m). Summer is the busiest time, especially weekends; the park’s tariff act sets high season from 1 May to 30 September, with weekend vehicle entry at 0.4 MCI rather than 0.3. A pitch in the park’s campsite is 0.4 MCI per person per day. See Burabay.

3. Bayanaul — a beach among granite

Kazakhstan’s first national park: granite hills rising out of the Pavlodar steppe and four freshwater lakes where people come to swim in summer. Most head for Zhasybay, the park’s clearest lake, up to 14.7 m deep and 6 km north of Bayanaul village; Sabyndykol is larger and the village sits on its shore. Between swims: weathered rock formations, a walk of about a kilometre to the Konyr-Auliye cave, and Mount Akbet, the park’s high point (1027 m according to Wikipedia). From Pavlodar via Ekibastuz it’s 3–4 hours. July is peak demand, so book near Zhasybay early. See Bayanaul.

4. Kolsai Lakes — the hike to the middle lake

July–September is the easiest time to hike from the lower lake (1818 m) to the middle one (2252 m): 7.35–7.8 km each way, about 470 m of climbing, 5–6 hours on foot. Swimming is not allowed — the park reiterated in 2025 that it is banned under the route rules. Mountain weather can turn in any month, so carry a warm layer and a rain shell even in July, and keep food sealed at camp: there are bears in the valley. Saty village is the base; on the upper lakes it’s tents only. Kaindy is next door and summer is its season too. See Kolsai Lakes.

5. Big Almaty Lake — peak turquoise

The colour is at its most intense in July and August. Since 2026 the lake is walk-in only: about 15 km up the road with over a kilometre of ascent, 4–6 hours up and 3–4 down. Summer brings thunderstorms and rockfall, so start early and be down by evening. No swimming and no going down to the water without permission — the lake supplies Almaty’s drinking water. Treat it as a proper mountain day, not a stroll. See Big Almaty Lake.

6. Assy Plateau — pastures above Turgen

A high plateau above Turgen Gorge: Tengrinews (2021) puts it about 75 km east of Almaty, 2–2.5 hours’ drive, at around 2750 m, near the Assy-Turgen observatory. Tengrinews names late spring and summer as the time to go. We found no official dates for the seasonal road closure; operators talk of a May–September season, but that isn’t a park decision. On the way, stop at the Turgen waterfalls — Bear Falls is 1–1.5 km from the road. The plateau is inside Ile-Alatau National Park, with fees under Order No. 232. See Assy Plateau.

7. Katon-Karagay — hiking the Altai

The Aviasales guide’s seasonal outline puts long hikes in July–August in the country’s largest national park. Day routes lead to the Kokkol and Arasan waterfalls and Lakes Yazevoe and Maralye, and the Kazakh side opens onto Belukha’s southern face (4506 m). Trekking to Belukha’s glaciers is an expedition that needs a border-regime check for the exact route. Katon-Karagay village is about 380 km and five hours from Ust-Kamenogorsk; signal can vanish completely in the mountains, so carry SIMs from different operators. See Katon-Karagay.

8. Rakhmanov Springs — Altai hot springs

Radon thermal springs on the right bank of the Arasan river, about 80 m below Rakhmanov Lake at around 1760 m, with water at 34–41 °C (Ruwiki). The river flowing out of the lake forms the Arasan waterfall. The resort is in limbo: the sanatorium was returned to the state in August 2024, and in November 2025 the regional governor said its future use would be decided later. The last 13 km of road were repaired, yet in July 2026 Aviasales still described the stretch as hard for an ordinary car. Plan on a 4x4 and check what is open. See Rakhmanov Springs.

9. Markakol — a lake in the taiga

A 38 × 19 km lake at 1447 m, in a basin between the Kurchum and Azutau ranges and ringed by larch taiga. Summer is the only sensible time: the lake freezes on average from 20 November, and there’s no data on the dirt road in the shoulder seasons. Getting there is an expedition — about 400 km and 11 hours from Ust-Kamenogorsk with a ferry across the Irtysh, and over 50 km of gravel switchbacks where a 4x4 is a must. There are no tourist bases on the lake, and fishing is reserved for residents of the buffer zone. No border permit is needed — the lake is on the exemption list. See Markakol.

How to choose

Practical tips

• Southern heat. If you do go to Charyn or Altyn-Emel, leave at dawn and carry extra water.
• Mountain storms. Bring a warm layer and a rain shell even in July.
• Fire. Campfires and tents only in designated places.
• Border areas. Katon-Karagay, Markakol and Alakol are border districts — see the border zone guide.
• Fees: calculator; prep: before you go. Next season: autumn.