Multi-Day Trips from Astana
Multi-day trips from Astana
Astana works well as the start of a longer journey, but distances in Kazakhstan are large. Three routes make sense, each with real travel times, and each needs a warm-weather or cold-weather plan depending on the season. Prices are in tenge (KZT) and hedged where they are not confirmed.
Astana and Burabay, 3 to 4 days
Spend two days in Astana, then go to Burabay (Borovoe) National Park, about 257 km away. A drive takes roughly 3 hours each way. The Burabay Express train takes about 2.5 hours; its 2025 launch fares were 2,962, 3,586 and 5,805 KZT depending on class, and the 2026 timetable has not been confirmed, so check railways.kz before booking. The station is 20 to 22 km from Burabay village, and a taxi costs typically 1,500 to 2,000 KZT.
Staying overnight avoids a rushed visit. Bolektau is an easy climb of about 30 minutes with views of the lake and the Zhumbaktas rock. Okzhetpes is reached by boat to its base, and climbing it needs a guide and equipment. Hired boats reach other rocks from the lake. A park fee of about 241 KZT per person per day has been reported, so check at the gate. Rixos Borovoe, a five-star hotel on Lake Shchuchye, has a spa and an indoor pool. For stays, compare options on Booking.com . Transport details are on the Burabay getting-there guide .
Astana and Almaty
Almaty is a domestic flight of about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Air Astana and FlyArystan serve the route, and fares are usually from a few tens of thousands of tenge, so check current prices. Mountain scenery such as Medeu, Shymbulak and Charyn Canyon belongs to the Almaty trip and lies 950 to 1,200 km from Astana. Plan it as a separate leg with its own days rather than a side trip.
Karlag route, 3 days
This is a solemn history route. Day one combines Astana with the ALZHIR memorial at Akmol, about 40 km west, open Tuesday to Sunday 09:00 to 18:00. Day two is a train to Karaganda, about 2.5 to 3 hours, followed by the Karlag Museum at Dolinka, 35 to 45 km from Karaganda. Opening hours at Dolinka are not confirmed, so phone ahead. Day three is for Karaganda and the return. The subject is the Soviet camp system, so keep a quiet, respectful tone and leave children at home if they are young.
What to avoid
Do not try to fit southern sights such as Kok-Tobe, Kolsai or Altyn-Emel into an Astana base. Bayanaul National Park lies 380 km east in Pavlodar region and is a granite landscape that needs its own trip.
Planning for the cold
Between November and March, daily lows can reach -30C or colder. Check road conditions before any drive, keep a fully charged phone and warm layers, and avoid long overland trips in a blizzard. Summer, from May to September, is much easier.
Entry and practical notes
British citizens can stay visa-free for up to 30 days. The QazETA online authorisation is recommended and may become mandatory from November 2026, so check the UK government entry page or your own country’s advice. Hotels register your arrival within 3 working days.
Read more: Day trips from Astana and the 3-day Astana itinerary .