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Best time to visit Kazakhstan: month by month
Short answer
Late May to June and September to early October are the best times, with Almaty highs of about 22-28°C and clear mountain air. July and August are hotter (around 29-32°C on average in Almaty) but every mountain road is open. Winter is cold, with January highs near 0°C, but good for skiing at Shymbulak.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0°C | -10°C | 4 | medium |
| Feb | 4°C | -4°C | 8 | low |
| Mar | 10°C | 1°C | 14 | medium |
| Apr | 18°C | 7°C | 9 | low |
| May | 22°C | 12°C | 12 | medium |
| Jun | 28°C | 17°C | 7 | high |
| Jul | 32°C | 20°C | 3 | high |
| Aug | 29°C | 18°C | 4 | high |
| Sep | 25°C | 14°C | 3 | high |
| Oct | 15°C | 6°C | 9 | medium |
| Nov | 8°C | -1°C | 9 | low |
| Dec | 2°C | -6°C | 7 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Almaty warms from about 10°C in March to 22°C in May, with 9-14 rainy days; mountain lakes may still be snowbound in April.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm to hot, with Almaty highs of 28-32°C and only 3-7 rainy days; the best time for high trails and Kolsai.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is excellent (25°C, few rainy days); it cools to 15°C in October and 8°C in November.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold, with Almaty highs of 0-4°C and lows of -4 to -10°C; ski season at Shymbulak and skating at Medeu. Astana is far colder.
Events worth planning around
- Nauryz (spring new year), 21-23 March
- Independence Day, 16 December (check public holiday dates)
- Ski season at Shymbulak, roughly December to March
- Capital City Day in Astana, 6 July
When to avoid
From November to April the lakes at Kolsai and Kaindy can be snowbound and mountain roads difficult. Astana in January and February is extremely cold and windy, so leave it for June to early September.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Kazakhstan?
Late May to June and September to early October, with comfortable temperatures and open mountain roads.
When can I visit Kolsai Lakes?
Usually from about May to October; they can be snowbound from November to April.
How cold is Kazakhstan in winter?
Almaty has January highs around 0°C and lows near -10°C; Astana is much colder, often far below -20°C on cold days.