Things to Do in Almaty in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
August Weather in Almaty
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
85°F (29°C)
High Temp
63°F (17°C)
Low Temp
1.3 inches (33 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Sudden afternoon lightning above 1,800 m (5,900 ft). Descend ridge trails before 2 pm. No debate.
⚠ High UV at altitude - unshaded skin burns in under 15 minutes
Is August Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Apple harvest season in the Tian Shan foothills. Roadside stalls along the A2 highway sell honey-crisp varieties you won't find exported. The smell of fresh-pressed juice drifts across orchards at 1,200 m (3,937 ft) elevation. Pull over. Bite one. Grin.
- + Evening temperatures drop to 63°F (17°C) after 8pm. Good for sitting outside at Gakku or Tandoor restaurants. Leave the sweater you needed in June in your room. Order another tea.
- + Kok-Tobe cable-car queues shrink by half once Kazakh school holidays end mid-month. The 15-minute ride over pine-covered slopes feels peaceful instead of packed. Book after the 20th. Float above the city.
- + The Almaty Region's watermelon of festivals, normally scattered across summer, gets compressed into August. Nomad games, kurut tastings, and horse festivals sit within day-trip distance. Pick one. Drive. Eat fermented cheese.
- + Hotel rates dip 25-30% from July peaks. Mid-range properties around Panfilov Street that were booked solid suddenly offer same-week availability. Snag a balcony room. Pay less. Smile.
Considerations
- − Afternoon thunderstorms arrive fast at 3pm and turn Medeu's access road into a muddy slip-and-slide. Marshrutka drivers still charge full fare while you stand ankle-deep in runoff. Bring plastic bags. Wrap your shoes.
- − UV index of 8 means sunburn in 18 minutes on the ascent to Big Almaty Lake. The altitude gain of 1,200 m (3,937 ft) intensifies rays most travelers underestimate. Slather SPF. Reapply. Repeat.
- − City fountains shut down for maintenance mid-August. That Instagram shot of kids splashing in Republic Square's dancing jets won't happen. Visit early July instead. Shoot flowers.
Year-Round Climate
How August compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0°C | -8°C | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Feb | 2°C | -6°C | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Mar | 9°C | 0°C | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Apr | 17°C | 6°C | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
| May | 22°C | 11°C | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C | 16°C | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Jul | 30°C | 18°C | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C | 17°C | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Sep | 24°C | 12°C | 1.1 inches (28 mm) |
| Oct | 16°C | 5°C | 2.0 inches (51 mm) |
| Nov | 8°C | -1°C | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 2°C | -6°C | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
Best Activities in August
Top things to do during your visit
August in Almaty means long, bright days and cool mountain air. The city feels easy. Locals escape the afternoon heat in Panfilov Park or ride the cable car up to Shymbulak for a cool breeze. Evenings smell of charcoal and ripening apples. The whole month shifts toward harvest. Public gatherings turn squares into fragrant markets.
Private Full Day Almaty City Tour
day_tripThe Private Full Day Almaty City Tour moves at your own pace. You will see the gilded onion domes of Zenkov Cathedral and the sober granite of the World War II memorial in Panfilov Park. Your guide connects these places with stories. You will hear about tsarist engineers, Soviet resilience, and modern Kazakh identity. This tour has a personal key to the city's history.
This tour has a personal key to the city's history.
Insider tip: Ask your driver to pause on Kunaev Street. You can view the old Arasan Baths building, its ornate facade a snapshot of 1970s Soviet modernism.
Charyn, Kolsay&Kaiyndy Lakes 2days tour with Mount View Stay
guided_experienceThe Charyn, Kolsay&Kaindy Lakes 2days tour with Mount View Stay shows you the landscapes southeast of the city. You will spend a night under thick stars. Walk the reds of Charyn Canyon. Feel the shock of cold, turquoise water at Kolsay Lake. Peer into the jade-green surface of Kaindy Lake, where dead spruce trunks pierce the water. This two day journey allows you to experience the scale of the Tian Shan mountains.
This two day journey allows you to experience the scale of the Tian Shan mountains.
Insider tip: Pack a warm layer. The temperature at Kolsay Lake drops sharply when the sun slips behind the peaks.
This month: In August, roads are typically in good condition. The lakes are clear, revealing their vivid colors.
1 Day Group Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake and Kaindy Lake
adventureThe 1 Day Group Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake and Kaindy Lake is a whirlwind introduction. It compresses deep canyons and alpine lakes into one memorable journey. Feel the dry wind of the canyon floor. Hear the group gasp at the blue of Kolsay. Taste a hearty lunch of laghman noodles at a roadside cafe.
This tour delivers maximum scenic impact for travelers with limited time.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip. The path down into Charyn Canyon is a steep, gravelly slope.
Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly - UNESCO World Heritage
culturalThe Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly tour takes you northwest of Almaty onto the vast steppe. You will approach sandstone outcrops carved thousands of years ago. See rock panels etched with sun deities, hunting scenes, and long-horned bulls. Feel the immense history of this nomadic crossroads.
This tour provides a direct connection to Central Asia's ancient inhabitants.
Insider tip: Visit in the early morning or late afternoon. The light casts shadows that make the grooves stand out. The heat is also less intense then.
Private tour from Almaty 6 days in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
private_tourThe Private tour from Almaty 6 days in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is an expansive overland journey. It reveals regional variety, from Almaty to the solitude of Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul lake. Smell the mineral tang of hot springs. Feel the crunch of salt on a dried lake bed. Hear the chatter at the Karakol Dungan Mosque, a pagoda-like structure.
This tour transforms a visit into a deep exploration of Central Asian culture.
Insider tip: Ensure your visa arrangements for Kyrgyzstan are in order well before departure. Pre-arranged documents prevent border delays.
This month: August weather generally allows for clear passage over mountain passes like the Torugart or Karkara.
Almaty city tour. Shymbulak, Koktobe, Green market, Park 28 Panfilov's guardsmen
guided_experienceThe Almaty city tour covering Shymbulak, Koktobe, Green market, and Park 28 Panfilov's guardsmen packs the city's contrasts into a few hours. Ride a cable car above pine forests. Browse the cacophony of the Green Bazaar. Pay respects at the eternal flame. Hear the clatter of produce scales and rapid-fire bargaining. Feel the sudden alpine chill at Shymbulak resort. See the city grid from the Koktobe hill viewpoint.
This tour is a cost-effective sampler for first-time visitors short on time.
Insider tip: At the Green Bazaar, head to the upper-floor balconies for an overview before diving into the crowd.
This month: In late August, the route near Republic Square may be animated by the setup for the Almaty Apple Festival.
Where to Stay in Almaty in August
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for August travellers.
August Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late August
Almaty Apple Festival
Local growers set up 120 stalls around Republic Square, handing out slices of heritage varieties like Aport and Renet. The scent of hot apple baursak frying in sheep-tail fat drifts across the chess-playing pensioners who treat the fest like their personal living room. Taste everything. Nap under a tree.
Early August
Kurut & Kymyz Fair
Nomads from the surrounding steppe roll into the Green Bazaar's front arcade with fermented mare's milk and salty dried-yoghurt balls. The sour-salty hit of kurut followed by the slight fizz of kymyz is the fastest way to feel like you've lived here 20 years. Pucker. Swallow. Nod.
Packing Checklist
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View Almaty Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
City buses skip exact change in August. Drivers keep windows open and won't touch sweaty notes. Top up a TransportCard at any orange machine outside major stops. Tap. Ride. Breathe.
The best shashlik isn't at a restaurant. Follow the smoke plume behind the Central Mosque on Fridays after prayers. Pensioners run illegal grills and will share if you bring bread. Bring half a loaf. Say thank you.
Hotel air-con is set to 18°C (64°F) by default. Ask for 24°C (75°F) or you'll wake up with a Kazakh summer cold. Yes, that's a thing. Twist the dial. Sleep sound.
Instagram-famous cafés on Dostyk Avenue refill ice cream free if you post and tag. Staff will watch you do it before handing over the second scoop. Open the app. Snap. Lick.
Avoid These Mistakes
Planning Big Almaty Lake for midday. By 1pm the surface shimmers and photos look like grey soup. Go before 8am or after 5pm. Chase dawn. Shoot gold.
Wearing shorts to the bazaar. Floor-level aisles are hosed down every hour. Your hem will soak up meat juice and dust simultaneously. Wear long pants. Roll cuffs.
Ordering 'kazakh coffee' - it's instant Nescafe with creamer. Ask for 'americano' if you want actual brewed coffee. Skip the menu translation. Say americano. Get real beans. Nescafe is the default. Creamer comes standard. Locals expect it. You won't.
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