Almaty in Spring: Monthly Guide — March, April, May (2026)

Almaty in March and May are practically two different cities: early spring can still bring +5°C days and snowfall, while by May you're looking at +25 or even 30°C, lush greenery, and open mountain trails. In this article, we break down what's available each month — city life, mountains, and day trips. Plus weather info and tips on picking the best time for your visit.

Which month is best — a side-by-side comparison

March weather is especially unpredictable: one year it's +18°C in early March, the next — snow. It really varies year to year. Weather data source: WeatherSpark. Temperatures in the table show the range of average daytime values from the beginning to the end of the month.

	March	April	May
Average daytime temperature	+3...+13°C	+13...+19°C	+19...+24°C
Weather predictability	Low: you can get snow and +23°C in the same week	Moderate: occasional rain, but generally warm	Moderate: consistently warm to hot, occasional rain
Precipitation	~6 days with precipitation	~7 rainy days, 44 mm	~8 rainy days, 50 mm
Greenery	City looks gray, trees are bare	First green by mid-month, city in bloom by end	Fully green, wildflowers in the mountains
Events	Nauryz (Central Asian New Year, celebrated March 21-23), 5 days off, concerts, fairs	No major events	May 1 — Unity Day, May 7 — Defender's Day, May 9 — Victory Day (day off moved to May 11)
Mountain trails	Unsafe: avalanche risk, snow	Unsafe: avalanche risk	Trails start drying out from mid-May
Charyn	Cool in March, but very few tourists	Getting warm	Warm, hot by end of month
Kolsai	Average daytime temperature around 5°C in March	Rises to 10–15°C in April	Can reach 20°C in May
Altyn-Emel	Cool, steppe still yellow	Comfortable, +15...+25°C	Warm, hot by end of month
Kaindy	May be closed, road often impassable	May be closed, road often impassable	Daytime already +15…+20°C in May, lake thaws out
Issyk	Road closed until April 15*	Road closed until April 15*, check availability after that	Usually open, may close due to weather
Assy	Road closed until April 15*	Road closed until April 15*, check availability after that	Usually open, may close due to weather

*According to an official order, the roads to Issyk and Assy are closed from November 8, 2025 through April 15, 2026.

The city in spring

In this article, we cover how the city changes from month to month in spring. If you want to know exactly where to go in Almaty, check out our guide: Where to go in Almaty.

Almaty in March

The city still looks gray — bare trees, post-winter lawns. Daytime temps range from +3 to +13°C, and mornings can dip near zero. On chilly days, it's a great time to explore Almaty's museums — there are quite a few.

Almaty in March — the city is still gray but already waking up — 2

Almaty in March — the city is still gray but already waking up — 3

Almaty in March — the city is still gray but already waking up — 4

By the end of the month, it warms up and strolling around the center becomes genuinely pleasant. The moment the sun peeks out or the temperature rises even a couple of degrees, outdoor terraces pop up everywhere. Locals love grabbing a seat on a patio as soon as it gets warm — even if they're still bundled up in coats. It's part of the city's culture.

Outdoor cafe terraces in Almaty in early spring

Outdoor cafe terraces in Almaty in early spring — 2

The main way to experience the mountains in March is to head up to the health staircase / observation deck at Medeu, and ride the cable car up to Shymbulak.

Medeu observation deck — panoramic view of the mountain gorge

Medeu observation deck — panoramic view of the mountain gorge — 2

In March, the ski season is usually still going — you can hit the slopes at Shymbulak for skiing or snowboarding. March 21–25 is Nauryz (Central Asian New Year, celebrated March 21-23), the biggest spring holiday in Kazakhstan. It's the Kazakh New Year: everyone gets extended days off, city squares fill up with yurt fairs, concerts, and traditional food. The city is packed and there are events everywhere.

Almaty in April

This is when the city truly transforms. By mid-month, the first green appears; by the end, the whole city is in bloom. Weather is unpredictable — you might get +20°C and sunshine, or +10°C and rain — but between the showers, it's warm and lovely.

Almaty in April — first greenery and blossoms — 2

Almaty in April — first greenery and blossoms — 3

Almaty in April — first greenery and blossoms — 4

Almaty in April — first greenery and blossoms — 5

Almaty in April — first greenery and blossoms — 6

Almaty in April — first greenery and blossoms — 7

Almaty in April — first greenery and blossoms — 8

Almaty in April — first greenery and blossoms — 9

The first seasonal fruits and berries start showing up. It's comfortable to spend long hours outdoors — picnics, park walks, cafe terraces.

Almaty in May

The city is fully green, warm, and alive. All terraces and parks are open. It's comfortable all day long — from morning walks to late-evening hangouts.

Almaty in May — a green city, parks and terraces — 2

Almaty in May — a green city, parks and terraces — 3

Almaty in May — a green city, parks and terraces — 4

Almaty in May — a green city, parks and terraces — 5

Almaty in May — a green city, parks and terraces — 6

Almaty in May — a green city, parks and terraces — 7

Mountain hikes

Mountain trails near Almaty in May — greenery and melting snow

Mountain trails near Almaty in May — greenery and melting snow — 2 — Photo by: Sergey

Mountain trails near Almaty in May — greenery and melting snow — 3 — Photo by: Sergey

Mountain trails near Almaty in May — greenery and melting snow — 4 — Photo by: Sergey

Mountain trails near Almaty in May — greenery and melting snow — 5 — Photo by: Sergey

Mountain trails near Almaty in May — greenery and melting snow — 6 — Photo by: Sergey

Mountain trails near Almaty in May — greenery and melting snow — 7 — Photo by: Natalia

Photos taken by members of our hiking chat, Sergey and Natalia. March and April: trails are unsafe. Avalanche danger, snow, mud. The weather in the city might look summery — in the mountains, it's a different story. The only way to experience the mountains is the Shymbulak cable car. May, from mid-month: trails start to dry out. Before heading into the mountains, check the avalanche bulletin in this Telegram channel — they post a PDF with a risk map by zone. In March–April, danger is usually high; by mid-May, it drops.

Day trips out of the city

Within 3–6 hours of Almaty, you'll find canyons, mountain lakes, and national parks. All destinations are reachable in spring, but each has its own sweet spot.

Destination	Distance	Drive time	March	April	May
Charyn Canyon	~210 km	~3.5 hrs	Accessible, cool	Ideal, comfortable	Great, warm
Kolsai Lakes	~300 km	~4.5–5 hrs	Cold, but beautiful	Comfortable by end of month	Kolsai-1 and 2 accessible
Altyn-Emel	~250 km	~3.5–5 hrs	Too early, steppe still yellow	Tulips blooming, best time	Peak spring
Kaindy Lake	~300 km	~5 hrs	Closed: ice, road	Too early: ice, dirt road	Season opens
Issyk Lake	~70 km	~1.5 hrs	Road closed until April 15*	Opens up, check ahead	Usually open
Assy Plateau	~110 km	~3–4 hrs	Road closed until April 15*	Road unpredictable	Closer to end of May

*Roads to Issyk and Assy are closed from November 8, 2025 through April 15, 2026.

Charyn Canyon

The Valley of Castles is a red sandstone canyon where you can wander among towering "towers" and "walls." The canyon is open year-round, but spring is the best time to visit — in summer, temperatures can hit +40°C and above, making it tough to enjoy the walk. In spring, it's cool but you'll have the place almost to yourself. April and May are the most comfortable months. How to get there, what to bring, and how much time to set aside — all in our Charyn Canyon guide.

Charyn Canyon in spring — the red sandstone Valley of Castles — 2 — Photo by: Natalia

Charyn Canyon in spring — the red sandstone Valley of Castles — 3 — Photo by: Natalia

Charyn Canyon in spring — the red sandstone Valley of Castles — 4 — Photo by: Natalia

Charyn Canyon in spring — the red sandstone Valley of Castles — 5

Photos taken by a member of our hiking chat, Natalia.

Kolsai Lakes

Three mountain lakes nestled in a gorge, surrounded by Tien Shan spruce trees. Kolsai-1 is the most accessible; getting to Kolsai-2 requires a ~8 km hike with ~500 m of elevation gain. Kolsai-1 is accessible almost year-round, but in March it can be cold — be prepared. The upper lakes are snow-covered until May. Comfortable conditions start from late April. You can combine it with a trip to Charyn — it's on the way. More about the route and overnight stays in our Kolsai Lakes guide.

Kolsai Lakes — a mountain lake surrounded by Tien Shan spruce — 2

Kolsai Lakes — a mountain lake surrounded by Tien Shan spruce — 3

Kaindy Lake

A mountain lake with a submerged spruce forest — dry tree trunks stick out of the turquoise water. It's located near Kolsai Lakes, so you can easily combine both — but plan at least two days. In March–April, it's closed: ice on the lake, road impassable. The season starts in May. You'll need a 4x4. More details in our Kaindy Lake guide.

Kaindy Lake — a submerged spruce forest — 2

Altyn-Emel

Kazakhstan's largest national park. It's a different world out here — steppe, desert, mountains, and nothing like the green gorges around Almaty. Key highlights: the Singing Dune (a massive sand dune that hums in the wind), the colorful chalk mountains of Aktau, and the "frozen lava" rock formations of Katutau. Best time is April and May: the steppe turns green and wild tulips bloom. March is too early — the steppe is still yellow. In summer, with +40°C and above, tour operators usually don't run trips here. This destination is pricier and more logistically challenging than Charyn: longer drive, two days minimum. But there are almost no tourists — you can explore the park in near-solitude.

Issyk Lake

A mountain lake 70 km from Almaty, about 1.5 hours away — the closest of the out-of-town destinations. Surrounded by spruce forest, mountains, and pure silence. The road is closed until April 15, 2026 — this date could be pushed back. Even after the road opens, it can be closed again due to bad weather or mudflows. Check the news before you go so you don't end up disappointed at the last minute. More details in our Issyk Lake guide.

Issyk Lake — a mountain lake in a spruce forest near Almaty — 2

Issyk Lake — a mountain lake in a spruce forest near Almaty — 3

Issyk Lake — a mountain lake in a spruce forest near Almaty — 4

Issyk Lake — a mountain lake in a spruce forest near Almaty — 5

Assy Plateau

A high-altitude plateau 110 km from Almaty, 3–4 hours one way. Wide open spaces, rolling hills, endless sky — a completely different landscape from the mountains around Almaty. You'll need a 4x4. The road is closed until April 15, 2026 — this date could be pushed back. Even after it opens, the road can close again due to weather. Check the news before heading out. More details in our Assy Plateau guide.

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 2

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 3

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 4

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 5

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 6

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 7

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 8

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 9

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 10

Assy Plateau — a high-altitude plain with mountain views — 11

What to wear

Weather in the city and in the mountains can be wildly different: Almaty might be sunny and +20°C while Shymbulak is +5°C with wind at the same time. If you're heading to higher elevation, pack warm layers regardless of the month — and don't forget sunscreen. You burn faster at altitude than you'd expect. March. Daytime in the city: +3...+13°C, mornings can be near zero. A coat or warm jacket, with a sweater or fleece underneath. Waterproof shoes are a good idea — snow is melting, puddles everywhere. If you're taking the cable car, bundle up properly: it can be below zero with wind up top. April. No need for a heavy coat in the city anymore — a light jacket or windbreaker will do. Mornings +2...+7°C, daytime +13...+19°C. An umbrella is a must — rain is frequent but passes quickly. May. Almost summer: daytime +19...+24°C. Light clothes, a windbreaker for evenings. If you're heading into the mountains — good-grip sneakers, pants you don't mind getting dirty, and a rain jacket.

How to choose your month

If you're deciding when to come — go with May. It's the best time for spring in Almaty: consistently warm, the city is fully green and gorgeous, and most importantly, the majority of natural spots around the city open up. The only reason to pick a different month is if you want to ski or snowboard. In that case, March is your best bet: the ski season at Shymbulak is usually still in full swing. But if your trip falls in March or April — don't worry. There's still plenty to see in the city and the region. You can absolutely make it a packed and memorable trip.