Endless steppe, red canyons and deep-blue mountain lakes – Kazakhstan surprises with landscapes you’d expect in the U.S. Southwest or New Zealand. This 5-day road trip from Almaty takes you to three of the country’s most spectacular natural highlights: Altyn Emel National Park with its famous Singing Dune, the powerful Charyn Canyon, and the tranquil Kolsai Lakes in the Tian Shan Mountains.

It’s the perfect route for self-drivers – short distances, big experiences. All you need: a rental car, a bit of adventure and enough storage on your camera.

• 1. Why this route?
• 2. Rental Car & Road Trip Info
• 3. 5-Day Kazakhstan Road Trip Itinerary
• 4. Planning Tips & Budget Overview

1. Why this route?

You’ll experience Kazakhstan at its best while keeping everything compact and easy. Start and finish in Almaty – ideal for flights to/from Europe.

Highlights of this 5-day Kazakhstan road trip:

• Canyons, mountains & steppe on one single loop
• Short drives, maximum sightseeing
• Ideal for road trip & outdoor lovers
• Overnight stays in local guesthouses → authentic & friendly
• Best travel season: May–October

2. Rental Car & Road Trip Info

For maximum flexibility on your 5-day Kazakhstan adventure, we highly recommend a rental car from Almaty. An SUV or 4×4 is ideal if you want to explore Altyn Emel independently or visit Kaindy Lake. All other roads are paved and manageable with a standard compact – such as a Hyundai Elantra.

Recommended rental company: Our favorite is Rentacars.kz in Almaty. Great English communication, a wide range of cars – from compact to SUV – and easy credit card payment. Useful notes:

• A cleaning fee is charged, but waived if you wash the car before returning it in Almaty.
• Certain destinations (e.g., Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes) involve additional fees: approx. 25,000 KZT (~$46).
• The car is checked carefully upon return → take photos of all scratches before departure and show them to the team to avoid disputes.

3. 5-Day Kazakhstan Road Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Almaty to Basshi/Kalinino

Driving time: approx. 4 hours (186 mi)

Pick up your rental car in the morning and head straight into adventure. The road leads out of Almaty into wide steppe – wild horses, tiny villages and endless horizon views.

Recommended stops:

• Quick photo stop at the Ili River
• Fuel up in Saryozek

Arrival in Basshi by late afternoon – the gateway to Altyn Emel National Park. Check in at your guesthouse and enjoy a relaxed dinner to set the mood.

Day 2 – Altyn Emel National Park: Singing Dune & Steppe Adventure

Driving inside the park: 2–4 hrs depending on stops

Your first true nature day starts early! Be at the Visitor Center in Basshi before 9 AM, especially if you don’t have a 4×4 and want to join a ride to the Singing Dune — local drivers are often available. Ideally confirm 1–2 days in advance via WhatsApp.

Must-see in Altyn Emel National Park:

• Singing Dune – 150 m high, hums in the wind & when running down
• Unique steppe panoramas over the Ili River Valley
• Potential sightings of wild gazelles & horses

Tour details:

• Duration: 3–4 hours
• Cost: approx. 20,000–25,000 KZT per vehicle

After your dune adventure, return to Basshi and drive onward to Kegen (approx. 3 hours). The route offers colorful layered hills and remote steppe scenery – perfect for spontaneous photo breaks. Overnight in a guesthouse in Kegen.

Reading tip: 1 Day in Altyn Emel National Park – Your Complete Self-Drive Guide

Day 3 – Kolsai Lakes: Hiking, Lake Views & Village Life in Saty

Driving: 1.5–2 hrs to Saty + 45 min to the lake

Continue to Saty, one of Kazakhstan’s most beautiful mountain villages. You can easily drive to Kolsai Lake 1, a deep-blue alpine lake surrounded by dramatic peaks. Choose your adventure:

Option A – Relax & enjoy:

• Easy stroll along the lakeshore (30–90 min)
• Picnic spots & small boats available
• Amazing light for photography in the afternoon

Option B – Hike to Lake 2:

• 8.7 km round trip (approx. 6 hrs)
• Moderate to challenging, partly steep sections
• Rewarding views of both lakes and forested valleys

Tip: Pack water & snacks – no food stalls in the national park.

Return to Saty for a homemade Kazakh dinner. Optional: sunset views or a traditional Banya sauna session. Overnight in a Saty guesthouse.

Reading tip: Kolsai Lakes National Park: Your Complete Guide to Saty & Beyond

Day 4 – Charyn Canyon & Return to Almaty

Driving: 2 hrs to canyon · 3 hrs to Almaty

After breakfast, head to Charyn Canyon National Park – one of Central Asia’s most breathtaking natural wonders. Entry requires a small cash fee. Take in the panoramic viewpoints before hiking down into the canyon.

Trail info:

• Starting point: Parking area / Visitor Center
• Distance: 3 km one way (3.8 mi return)
• Duration: 2–3 hrs
• Difficulty: easy to moderate
• At the canyon floor, you’ll find a shaded oasis by the Charyn River – perfect for cooling down.
• Optional: Shuttle for the return climb and Canyon-rim sunset stop (highly recommended!)

Drive back to Almaty in the afternoon. Depending on energy levels: dinner out or simply rest and sort your photos.

Reading tip: Explore Charyn Canyon on Your Own – The Complete Day Guide to Kazakhstan’s Grand Canyon

Day 5 – Explore Almaty & Return Your Rental Car

Road trip mode off – city mode on.

After four days of nature and adventure, it is time to slow down and enjoy Almaty’s cultural and culinary charms. A stroll through the lively Green Bazaar is perfect for tasting local snacks and picking up fragrant spices or small souvenirs, and the beautifully restored Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park offers a peaceful contrast to the urban buzz. Discover more in our guide 48 Hours in Almaty – The Perfect 2-Day Itinerary.

At midday or in the afternoon, you will return your rental car. Make sure to plan enough time for traffic, a quick wash, refueling the tank (full-to-full is standard) and the usual inspection during drop-off. Once the keys are handed over, your journey either continues or winds down. You can fly north to Astana (48 Hours in Astana: Your Ultimate Weekend Guide) for a vibrant city weekend – or extend your adventure by exploring the west or south of the country.

4. Planning Tips & Budget Overview

Route Map & Key Distances

To help you keep track of things, here are the most important sections of the 5-day route:

• Almaty → Basshi/Kalinino: approx. 186 mi / 4–5 hours
• Basshi → Singing Dune: approx. 30 mi / 3-4 hours (National Park tour included)
• Basshi → Kegen: approx. 75 mi / 2–3 hours
• Kegen → Saty (Kolsai Lakes): approx. 50–55 mi / 2 hours
• Saty → Charyn Canyon: approx. 75 mi / 2 hours
• Charyn Canyon → Almaty: approx. 125 mi / 3–3,5 hours

Cost Overview for 2 People (5 Days)

Planning your expenses is essential for a self-drive road trip. These are the average prices for 5 days for two people:

Category	Approx. Price
Rental car (incl. insurance)	$ 190
Fuel	$ 35-45
Accommodation (guesthouses)	$ 140-175
Food & drinks	$ 25-35
Entrance fees & tours	$ 20-35
Total	$ 410–480 ($ 210–240 p. P.)

Best Travel Time & Weather

Kazakhstan has an extreme continental climate, which means big temperature shifts between seasons. For this route, the best time for road trips and hiking is from May to September. During these months, the roads are generally in good condition and the landscapes are at their most impressive. We visited in September 2025 and enjoyed warm, late-summer weather.

Every season has its own appeal:

• Spring: lush green meadows, pleasantly cool temperatures and fewer tourists
• Summer: warm weather, sometimes extremely hot in the lowland areas
• Autumn: colorful forests and spectacular sunrises over the mountains
• Winter: snow and ice make many roads impassable, best experienced on guided tours (discover all guided tours from Almaty)

Packing list for your road trip to Kazakhstan

• Clothing: Hiking shoes, outdoor layers, warm jacket for evenings
• Gear: Camera, binoculars, power bank, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen
• Food: Water bottles, snacks, lightweight meals for the trail
• Documents: Passport, driving license, car papers, cash in Tenge

Safety & Practical Advice

• Download Google Maps offline or Maps.me – mobile reception can be unpredictable once you leave the city.
• Fill up before every longer stretch – fuel stations are available in Almaty, Saryozek, Chundzha, Kegen, Saty and Shelek, but distances can be vast.
• Carry some cash in Tenge (KZT) – entrance fees and guesthouses often do not accept cards.
• Drive slowly after rain – mountain roads and park access tracks can become muddy and challenging.
• A local guide in Altyn Emel is recommended – not essential, but they can enrich the experience with stories and shortcuts.
• Watch out for wildlife – horses, gazelles and curious animals may appear on the road when you least expect it.

Our conclusion: A road trip combining canyons, lakes & steppe – in just 5 days, you’ll see the most iconic natural highlights near Almaty. Perfect for Kazakhstan-first-timers and outdoor lovers who enjoy comfort with a dose of adventure.

What would be your highlight – Singing Dune, mountain lake or canyon oasis?
Share this guide with your favorite road trip buddies and leave us a comment below!

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