Charyn Canyon, the Kolsai Lakes, or the natural hot springs of Chundzha — during Nauryz (the Central Asian New Year, celebrated March 21-23), you can finally tick off destinations you never have enough weekends for. March 21-25 gives you 5 days off in a row — plenty of time for trips within 300 km of Almaty. Nauryz is the biggest holiday in Kazakhstan, similar in importance to Christmas and New Year in the West, so the whole country is in celebration mode. We've put together 6 destinations with prices, car-free options, and the honest downsides of each.
Prices are approximate and were accurate at the time of writing (February 2026). Double-check details before your trip.
Ethno-village "Gunny"
The ethno-village "Gunny" is an ethnographic complex — essentially a traditional Kazakh village recreation — where you can experience Nauryz the way it's meant to be celebrated: with ancient rituals, traditional ceremonies, and authentic national cuisine.
The highlight is a horseback show by the SARBAZ group performing traditional Kazakh equestrian games (kokpar — a mounted tug-of-war over a goat carcass, tenge alu — picking up coins from the ground at full gallop, and kyz kuu — a horseback chase between a man and woman). There are also traditional ceremonies like Shashu (showering guests with sweets and coins for good luck) and Tusau keser (a ribbon-cutting ceremony for toddlers taking their first steps — symbolizing the start of their life's journey). You can try your hand at traditional crafts in hands-on workshops. Meals are served inside a yurt (a traditional nomadic tent): beshbarmak (Kazakhstan's national dish — boiled meat served over flat noodles), baursak (golden fried dough balls, a festive staple), and kumys (fermented mare's milk, a traditional Central Asian drink).
Ethno-village "Gunny" — yurts and horseback shows at the foot of the mountains
Great for families, groups of friends, and couples.
Distance: 35 km from Almaty, ~1 hour drive
How long to allow: Half a day — the program runs 4-5 hours
How to get there:
- By car: take the Talgar highway, road is in good condition
- Bus #224 from Baikonyr metro station (Palace of Sports) — runs from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM, but the interval is ~85 min. The stop is about 800 m from the village
Prices (2026):
- Program with lunch: ~20,000-30,000 KZT/person (~$40-60)
Phone: +7 707 051 35 51
Website: hunny.kz
Instagram: @gunny_aul
On the map: Google Maps | 2GIS | Yandex
Tamgaly-Tas
Tamgaly-Tas is a rocky cliff face along the banks of the Ili River covered in ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings) dating back to the Bronze Age, alongside Buddhist reliefs and Turkic inscriptions from the 8th-9th centuries. It's a fascinating and unusual site: Turkic drawings sit side by side with carved images of the Buddha — a rare meeting of civilizations in stone. Allow 1-2 hours to explore the area.
Without some preparation or a guide, you might miss a lot — the carvings aren't always obvious on the rock face. We recommend studying a map of the petroglyphs beforehand or going with a knowledgeable guide.
Buddhist reliefs and ancient petroglyphs at Tamgaly-Tas
Distance: 120 km from Almaty, ~2 hours
How long to allow: 1 full day
How to get there:
- By car: the best option, road is in good condition
- Public transport: none available
Prices (2026):
- Entry: check on arrival (small fee)
On the map: Google Maps | 2GIS | Yandex
Nomad Fortress nearby: About 30 km from Tamgaly-Tas you'll find the Nomad Fortress — a film set built for the Kazakh historical movie "Nomad" (2005). For a while, the site was poorly maintained, which is why you might see some negative reviews online. But it's recently been cleaned up and restored. It makes for a great combo trip with Tamgaly-Tas — wander around and grab some atmospheric photos amid the fortress scenery.
The Golden Man museum & Saka burial mounds
The closest historical day trip from the city — just 50 km from Almaty.
The museum in the town of Esik houses a replica of the "Golden Man" — a Saka warrior from the 5th-4th century BC, discovered wearing a suit of armor made from over 4,000 gold pieces. The Saka were an ancient nomadic people related to the Scythians. The original artifact is now in the National Museum in Astana, but this is where it was actually found, back in 1969.
Right next to the museum are the Saka burial mounds (kurgans). You can see the excavation site and get a sense of the scale: the Issyk kurgan, where the Golden Man was discovered, was about 60 meters in diameter.
The Golden Man museum in Esik and the Saka burial mounds
Who it's good for:
- Families with kids (the exhibition is visual and the story is easy to follow)
- Anyone who wants to get out of the city but not for the whole day
- You can combine it with a trip to the Turgen Gorge — makes for a solid half-day outing
Distance: 50 km from Almaty, ~1 hour
How long to allow: A full day (museum + travel time + lunch, and even more so if you combine it with Turgen Gorge)
How to get there:
- By car: take the Kuldzha highway
- Buses to Esik are available, but from the bus station it's another 2-3 km walk to the museum
Prices (2026):
- Entry: adults — 500 KZT (~$1), students & seniors — 300 KZT (~$0.60), schoolchildren — 200 KZT (~$0.40)
- Guided tour (groups up to 10): 1,500 KZT (~$3) in Russian/Kazakh, 3,000 KZT (~$6) in foreign languages
Museum website: issykrm.kz
On the map: Google Maps | 2GIS | Yandex
Charyn Canyon
Most visitors head to the Valley of Castles — towering rock formations up to 150-300 meters high, sculpted by millions of years of wind and rain into pillars, towers, and ridges.
Why March is a great time to visit:
- No summer heat (July gets up to +35-40°C / 95-104°F)
- Fewer tourists than peak season (May-September)
That said, the weather is unpredictable — mornings can be chilly, afternoons around +15°C (59°F). Dress in layers.
Walking through the canyon floor takes 2-3 hours. You can easily combine it with Bartogay Reservoir or Kolsai Lakes.
Charyn Canyon — Valley of Castles
Want to learn more about this destination? Check out our complete guide to Charyn Canyon
Distance: 195 km from Almaty, 3-3.5 hours one way
How long to allow: 1 day (2-3 hours on site). The canyon itself doesn't take all day, so it's best to combine it with something else — for example, Charyn + Bartogay or Charyn + Kolsai. If you're combining with Kolsai, plan to leave early — it'll be a packed day. Don't want to rush? You can stay overnight in the village of Saty.
How to get there:
- By car: paved road almost the entire way
- Public transport: none available
Prices (2026):
- Eco-fee: cars — 2,752 KZT (~$5.50), pedestrians — 786 KZT (~$1.60), motorcycles/mopeds/ATVs — 1,573 KZT (~$3.15)
On the map: Google Maps | 2GIS | Yandex
Kolsai Lakes
Three mountain lakes surrounded by Tien Shan spruce forests. The first lake is the most accessible (30-40 minute walk from the parking area). The second requires a proper hike — 5-6 hours round trip with about 400 meters of elevation gain.
Kolsai Lakes surrounded by Tien Shan spruce forests
About March conditions: The Kolsai Lakes sit in a mountainous area, and the weather here can be very different from Almaty. In March, the average daytime temperature at Kolsai-1 is around +5°C (41°F). Weather is highly changeable — we recommend checking the hourly forecast and tracking updates 3 days before, 1 day before, and the morning of your trip. Rain or snow can shift or drag on, which can seriously affect your plans.
Want to learn more about this destination? Check out our complete guide to Kolsai Lakes
Distance: 300 km from Almaty, 4-5 hours one way
How long to allow: You can do the first lake as a day trip (if you leave early), but it's more comfortable as a 2-day trip with an overnight stay. If you want to hike to the second or third lake, plan at least 2 days, ideally 3
How to get there:
- By car: paved road all the way to the lake (including the stretch from Saty)
- Public transport: none available
Prices (2026):
- Eco-fee: pedestrians — 786 KZT (~$1.60), motorcycles/mopeds/ATVs — 1,573 KZT (~$3.15), cars — 2,752 KZT (~$5.50)
- Accommodation: comfortable rooms average 40,000-75,000 KZT/night (~$80-150) depending on the day of the week and type of lodging. Options are available in the village of Saty, in Kurmenty, and right by Kolsai-1. A handy way to compare is to open Google Maps — you can check locations and reviews, then find your pick on Instagram, Booking.com, or get a discount on Choco (a local deals platform)
On the map: Google Maps | 2GIS | Yandex
Chundzha hot springs
If you're after relaxation rather than adventure — the natural thermal springs in Chundzha are your spot. The water temperature stays at 38-40°C (100-104°F) year-round. Resorts with pools, saunas, and on-site dining dot the area. You can show up for 2-3 days and do absolutely nothing.
Outdoor thermal pool at Chundzha
What's available:
- Resorts at various price points: from budget (~15,000 KZT/night, ~$30) to premium (~50,000+ KZT/night, ~$100+)
- Popular ones: Premium Spa, Mirazh, Zhetysu, Arasan
- Meals are usually included or there's an on-site cafe
Who it's good for:
- Couples looking to unwind
- Anyone who wants to rest without doing anything active
- With 5 days off, you can take your time and spend 2-3 days soaking
Distance: 250-300 km from Almaty, 3.5-4 hours drive
How long to allow: At least 2 days with an overnight stay
How to get there:
- By car: take the Kuldzha highway, road is in good condition
- Some resorts arrange transfers — ask when you book
- Buses to Chundzha: depart from the Sayakhat bus terminal, but they're infrequent (1-2 per day) and slow (~5-6 hours)
Prices (2026):
- Resorts: from 15,000 to 50,000 KZT/person per night (~$30-100)
- For the holiday dates (March 21-25), we strongly recommend booking well in advance
On the map: Google Maps | 2GIS | Yandex
Comparison table
| Destination | What to do | Distance | Trip duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethno-village Gunny | Horse shows, traditional ceremonies, food in a yurt | 35 km | Half a day |
| Tamgaly-Tas | Ancient petroglyphs, Buddhist reliefs | 120 km | 1 day |
| The Golden Man | Museum, Saka burial mounds | 50 km | 1 day |
| Charyn | Walk through the Valley of Castles | 195 km | 1 day |
| Kolsai | Mountain lakes, hiking | 300 km | 1-2 days |
| Chundzha | Natural thermal springs, relaxation | 250-300 km | 2-3 days |
Practical tips
Book ahead
Demand spikes during Nauryz. Ethno-villages and Chundzha resorts get booked up 2-3 weeks before the holiday. If you're going March 21-25 — book now.
Bring cash
Eco-fees at national parks are cash only. At holiday fairs and in villages, card terminals are hit or miss. Keep 5,000-10,000 KZT (~$10-20) in cash on you for unexpected expenses.
Dress in layers
March weather is all over the place: mornings can be +5°C (41°F), afternoons +15°C (59°F), and by evening it's cold again. Or it might randomly snow. Pack a jacket you can take off easily and waterproof shoes.
If you've been wanting to get out of the city and immerse yourself in Kazakh culture — Nauryz is the perfect time to do it.
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