National parks near Almaty

Almaty's classic excursion is Charyn Canyon, three hours east, often combined over two days with the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes. Altyn-Emel, with its Singing Dune and painted Aktau hills, is four hours north-east and needs a night in Basshi. Kyrgyzstan's Ala-Archa gorge is close in a straight line but lies across a mountain range and a border, near Bishkek. April to June and September to October are the best months.