Things to Do in Almaty in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in Almaty
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
46°F (8°C)
High Temp
30°F (-1°C)
Low Temp
2.2 inches (56 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Sudden overnight frost can ice higher-elevation roads without warning - carry chains beyond Big Almaty Lake turn-off
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + Golden autumn light on the Tien Shan lasts until mid-month. The maples on Kok-Tobe still glow red against snow-dusted peaks. Good for photography without summer haze.
- + Hotel rates drop 25-30% after the October leaf-peepers leave. Mid-range properties in Dostyk Avenue district suddenly have balcony rooms available with 48-hour自由度.
- + Apple season peaks. Almaty happens to be named after the Kazakh word for 'apple' and you'll smell the fruit-stand perfume of aport apples from 100 m (330 ft) away at Green Bazaar.
- + First snow usually holds off until month-end. You can hike the Butakovka Gorge trail in morning sun at 12°C (54°F) and still catch the cable car down before ice forms.
Considerations
- − Afternoons can swing 16°C (29°F) in six hours. You'll start brunch in shirtsleeves and end it wrapped in a borrowed blanket on a café terrace.
- − The 3 pm mountain shadow drops temperatures fast. If you linger too long at the top of Shymbulak ski resort (3,200 m / 10,500 ft) you'll queue for the gondola with frozen teenagers in T-shirts.
- − Rain arrives as cold drizzle that soaks jeans in minutes. Drainage on pedestrian Arbat street is poor, so puddles reflect neon until midnight.
Year-Round Climate
How November 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 November
Top things to do during your visit
Almaty in November is a city of dry, metallic chill. You will see your breath hang in the late afternoon light. That light slants between the snow-dusted peaks of the Zailiysky Alatau. This is a month for the indoors. It is for steam rising from bowls of lagman in cozy cafes. It is for the hushed halls of museums. These museums become busy during the Day of the First President holiday weekend. Locals bring their families to explore, seeking a break from the city's traffic. It is also a month of celebration for the city's namesake. The Apple Harvest Festival in Central Park has a final burst of the season. You can taste slices of the famed aport apple dusted with cinnamon sugar there. The twang of the dombra fills the cool air. The rhythm slows. The crowds thin. Almaty reveals itself as a place of lasting substance.
Private Full Day Almaty City Tour
day_tripprovides a windshield-first introduction. You will see the city's large contrasts. This includes the solemn quiet of Zenkov Cathedral and the kinetic energy of the Green Bazaar. Vendors there call out over pyramids of dried fruits and sacks of spices. Your guide will navigate the wide, poplar-lined boulevards. They connect the Soviet-era gravitas of monuments with the sleek glass of the new financial district.
It is the most efficient way to grasp the scale and layered history of Central Asia's most cosmopolitan city. You have the flexibility to linger where your interest is piqued.
Insider tip: Request a start time just after the morning rush hour, around 10 a.m. You will see the city awake but avoid the worst traffic.
This month: The clear, sharp November light offers exceptional visibility for photography. This is true for mountain backdrops seen from viewpoints like Kok Tobe.
Charyn, Kolsay&Kaiyndy Lakes 2days tour with Mount View Stay
guided_experienceis an escape into stark landscapes. You will spend a night under a dense blanket of stars. You will hear the wind whistle through the red-rock labyrinths of Charyn Canyon. You will feel the profound silence of Kolsay Lake's frozen, pine-fringed shores. You will peer through the crystalline ice covering Kaiyndy Lake. Below, you glimpse the ghostly, submerged forest.
This extended journey lets you absorb the profound stillness of the Tian Shan mountains in late autumn. That solitude is impossible on a rushed day trip.
Insider tip: Pack thermal layers beyond what you think you'll need. The temperature drop after sunset at the mountain stay is severe.
1 Day Group Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake and Kaindy Lake
adventureis an ambitious marathon. It covers three well-known natural wonders. It is best for those with sturdy legs and a spirit for adventure. You will feel the crunch of gravel underfoot on the canyon floor. You will smell the clean, cold scent of pine and ice at the lakeshores. You will witness a dramatic shift from desert-like geology to alpine forest within a few hours' drive.
It delivers a concentrated dose of Kazakhstan's wild terrain in a single, long day.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, insulated boots with excellent traction. Trails at Kolsay and Kaindy in November are often slick with packed snow and ice.
Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly - UNESCO World Heritage
culturaljourneys into the wind-scoured steppe. It goes to a UNESCO site where thousands of years of history are etched into dark stone. You will see sun-warmed rock faces adorned with depictions of chariots, hunting scenes, and solar deities. You will feel the relentless dry breeze that has preserved them. You will hear only the distant cry of a steppe eagle.
It is a direct encounter with the artistic legacy of Bronze Age nomads. The landscape feels timeless.
Insider tip: The low November sun casts long shadows across the petroglyphs in the late afternoon. This dramatically enhances the visibility of the ancient carvings.
Private tour from Almaty 6 days in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
private_touris a cross-border odyssey. It shows the geographic and cultural variety of the Tian Shan region. This ranges from Almaty's urban energy to the felt-lined yurts of Kyrgyzstan's high pastures. You will taste the smoky tang of beshbarmak in a local home. You will feel the jarring rattle of a 4x4 track leading to Song Kol Lake. You will see sunset paint the peaks in rose gold before a deep twilight descends.
This is the definitive journey for travelers seeking to understand the interconnected histories of Central Asia.
Insider tip: Ensure your passport has ample blank pages. Confirm visa requirements for Kyrgyzstan well in advance of your November travel dates.
Almaty city tour. Shymbulak, Koktobe, Green market, Park 28 Panfilov's guardsmen
guided_experienceis a classic circuit of the city's highlights. It has a vivid sensory snapshot. You will hear echoing hymns inside the golden-domed cathedral. You will notice the sizzle of skewers on roadside grills. You will ride the cable car up to Kok Tobe to see the city grid laid out under the pale winter sun. Then you descend into the busy alleys of the Green Bazaar. There you can sample salty cheeses and dried apricots.
It efficiently packages the classic Almaty experiences into one accessible outing.
Insider tip: Visit the Green Bazaar in the late morning. It is fully lively then but before the midday crowds. Vendors are more amenable to offering tastes at that time.
Where to Stay in Almaty in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
November Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early November
Apple Harvest Festival at Central Park
Weekend fair where farmers bring 14 heritage varieties of aport apples. You can taste slices dusted with cinnamon sugar while folk groups play dombra. Entry is free. Bags of apples sell out by Sunday noon.
Late November
Day of the First President Public Holiday
December 1 is officially observed. But Almatyites take the last weekend of November to escape city traffic. Museums stay open with free entry and you'll share exhibits with schoolkids rather than tour groups.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Almaty Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
City fountains shut off November 1. If you see photos with water still running, they're from summer stock. Locals joke the 'off' switch is the real start of winter.
Cafés switch to winter menus. Look for beshbarmak served in metal bowls that keep broth hot. Lagman noodles come extra fatty to coat against cold.
The new subway line to Kalkaman opened 2025, but November tests escalators with ice melt. Carry small bills because ticket machines reject wrinkled soggy notes.
Apple-resort shuttle buses from Sayakhat station run half-empty in November. Drivers wait until 14 passengers before leaving, so bring podcasts.
Avoid These Mistakes
Underestimating afternoon wind chill on mountain viewpoints. That 'light jacket' you wore at breakfast won't cut it at 3 pm on Kok-Tobe.
Booking last-minute Shymbulak accommodation assuming 'pre-season means empty'. Kazakh corporate retreats snap up lodge rooms for Friday team-building.
Trying to photograph Big Almaty Lake at midday. November sun sits low and the south-facing rim reflects glare. Arrive before 10 am for saturated blues.
Assuming Green Bazaar is fully indoors. The apple section is open-air and vendors close early if sleet starts.
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