5 Days Winter Escape in Kazakhstan (Dec 2025 - Mar 2026)

Arrive in Almaty to a warm Kazakh welcome with traditional costumes and local delicacies before checking in to your hotel. After a relaxing start, immerse yourself in the city with a visit to the lively Green Bazaar, where you’ll sample authentic horse milk and camel milk while mingling with local vendors. Explore the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, the colourful Ascension Cathedral, and the fascinating Museum of National Musical Instruments, complete with a live performance. In the evening, ascend by cable car to Kok-Tobe Hill for a dazzling sunset panorama before enjoying a welcome dinner of national cuisine at a traditional restaurant.

Journey into Kazakhstan’s ancient nomadic world at the Nomad Ethno Centre. Be greeted with the symbolic shashu ceremony, before discovering the sacred history of Scythian burial mounds and the craftsmanship behind traditional yurts. Take part in cooking classes to prepare Kazakh bread and desserts, then choose from masterclasses in sword fighting, archery, embroidery, or felt making. Enjoy a hearty yurt-style lunch and return to Almaty in the evening for dinner at a cosy local restaurant.

Set out for Charyn National Park, a winter wonderland where the Valley of the Castles reveals dramatic rock formations shaped by centuries of wind and water. Take a gentle hike to admire the Charyn River and sweeping canyon views before enjoying a simple but scenic lunch near the cliffs. As the sun sets, return to Almaty for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Head into the snowy peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Begin at Medeo Gorge, home to the world’s highest skating rink, before soaring up by cable car to the Shymbulak Mountain Resort. Surrounded by pristine alpine landscapes, enjoy the crisp air and snowy views all the way to Talgar Peak at 3,200m. Sip hot tea on an open-air terrace as music sets the mood, and if you wish, add on a ski lesson with an English-speaking instructor. Back in Almaty, celebrate your final evening with a farewell dinner featuring a live folk and throat-singing performance—a stirring tribute to Kazakh culture.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to Almaty International Airport. Depart with lasting memories of snow-draped mountains, nomadic warmth, and the vibrant spirit of Kazakhstan in winter.