Kazakhstan’s National Parks: The 7 Best Guided Days

1.Burabay National Park Tour with Lunch and Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 1 day · from $165Our pick

Travel privately from Astana to Burabay National Park with an English or Russian-speaking guide such as Omar, Nura, Abzal, or Zhalgas. Expect a lakeside walk, Bolektau Peak hike, traditional lunch, Abylay Khan Meadow, a natural spring, and either a boat ride or horseback outing. Both activities cost an extra $20 per person.

“It was a very nice trip with Darmen, who was an excellent guide. We saw wonderful places, ate a traditional Kazakh meal and enjoyed a relaxing boat trip on the lake. Don't miss it!”

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2.Burabay Oasis National Park Unforgettable Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · from $249

Travel from Astana to Burabay National Park on a private 11 to 12-hour tour. Hike to Bolektau’s viewpoint, see Zhumbaktas Rock, walk through Abylaikhan Meadow, learn about Botay horse culture, then enjoy a boat ride or forest horse ride. Bottled water, snacks, WiFi, and private transport are included.

“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.”

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3.Burabay Oasis National Park Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 10 reviews · 1 day · from $165

Travel from Astana to Burabay with guide Damir or another English or Russian-speaking guide. Hike BolekTau, cruise the main lake, visit a Botay culture museum, enjoy lunch, walk through pine forest, and ride horses. The day runs about 12 hours, including transfers, so pack good shoes and expect a full schedule.

“Great day trip! I had a great day trip with my guide Damir, a young gentleman passionate about sharing the culture and history of Kazakhstan. The day was packed with tons of stories, legends and tales about the history of the country and the area of Burabay. Highly recommended, super!”

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4.Tour to Burabay National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $249

Travel from Astana with a private guide and driver, including Timur on some departures, to Burabay National Park. Expect a three to four-hour drive, pine forest, clear lakes, unusual rock formations, Abylai Khan’s meadow, a horse ride, lunch, and a one-hour hike up Bolektau Mountain for wide park views.

“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”

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5.Atyn Emel National Park 2 days tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $450

Travel from Almaty into Altyn Emel National Park in a private off-road SUV with an English-speaking guide. Over two days, you’ll hike to an Aktau Mountains viewpoint, see Katutau Mountain and a 700-year-old willow, then visit Singing Barkhan, Oshaktas Stone Stellas, and Chokan Ualikhanov’s spring. The tour is designed for private groups.

“Altyn Emel National Park is amazing place. We have very enjoyable camping there. Thanks to AbdiTravel for this holidays!🔥”

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6.2 Days Tour: Altyn Emel National Park – Singing Dunes & Aktau Mountains

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $742

Travel from Almaty into Altyn Emel National Park for the white limestone of Aktau, dark volcanic Katutau, and the rumbling Singing Dunes. You’ll ride in a comfortable vehicle suited to rough roads, stay with a Kazakh family, and eat national food. Guides including Mikhail and Madina have led this route.

“I planned to visit Altyn Emel Park and Charyn Canyon with Explore Kazakhstan and I could not be more fulfilled. My guide was very delicate with an extraordinary knowledge about both Reserves. I can not stress enough how much I enjoyed this 2 days trip for such a budget. Congratulations for the organization, it was special.”

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7.Altyn Emel National Park, Private tour, 2 days from Almaty

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $526

Travel from Almaty to Altyn Emel National Park in a private SUV or minivan with an English-speaking guide. Over two days, you’ll see Tamgaly Tas Buddhist rock drawings, the Singing Dune, chalky Aktau Mountains, and volcanic Katutau. Hotel pickup, meals, park fees, water, and a twin room are 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”

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