Guide to Kazakhstan
Must See Kazakhstan
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The greatest attraction for rough-n-tough travellers to Kazakstan are the 4000m(13,120ft)-plus peaks of the Zailiysky Alatau and the Küngey Alatau, two spurs of the Tian Shan which run east-west between Almaty and Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan.
This beautiful region of glaciers, wild rivers and steep valleys used by nomadic herders as summer pasture is great trekking territory. There are dozens of trails of varying length and difficulty, including hikes right over the range to Lake Issyk-Kul; Almaty travel agents can arrange a guide.
Be prepared for variable weather, a summer snowline hovering around 4000m (13,120ft) and bandits. There may also be complications if you intend to trek over the border and don't have a border stamp. The trekking season lasts from June to September. Most trekkers go by 4WD to the Ozyorny pass and head off from there.