Things to Do in Almaty in November
November weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
November Weather in Almaty
Long-run averages for November
46°F (8°C)
High Temp
30°F (-1°C)
Low Temp
2.2 inches (56 mm)
Rainfall
65%
Humidity
7
Rainy Days
2
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Mountain roads to high-altitude attractions like Big Almaty Lake can become icy and hazardous. Travel with experienced drivers only.
Is November Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + You get the Tien Shan mountains to yourself. The trails around Big Almaty Lake and the Shymbulak ski resort base are nearly empty. The air is bitingly crisp. It smells of pine resin and cold stone. The only sound is the crunch of frost under your boots.
- + The city's bazaars, like the Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazaar), are a sensory sanctuary from the chill. The scent of smoked horse sausage (kazy), dried apricots, and fresh, yeasty flatbread (lepyoshka) fills the warm, humid air inside. Vendors have time to chat.
- + This is the month for banya culture. After a cold day, the cedar-scented steam of a traditional Russian banya or a Kazakh shanyrak (a bathhouse with a felt-domed ceiling) is a local ritual. The feeling of the hot, dry heat, followed by the slap of birch or oak branches (veniki), then a plunge into a cold pool, is the city's definitive November experience.
- + Hotel rates and tour prices tend to be at their most negotiable. You're visiting in the quiet lull between the last autumn hikers and the first serious skiers. Guides are more available. You can often upgrade your room for very little extra.
Considerations
- − The famous mountain lakes, like Kolsay and Kaindy, are often inaccessible. Road conditions to these high-altitude gems can turn treacherous with ice and snow by late November. Many tour operators suspend regular trips.
- − Daylight is your scarcest resource. The sun sets around 5 PM, giving you a narrow window for photography or outdoor exploration. You'll need to plan your days with military precision. Start early to catch the golden light on the snow-dusted peaks.
- − That crisp air can turn raw and damp. When the clouds sock in over the mountains, a cold, penetrating humidity settles into the city. It's the kind of cold that seeps through a jacket that's just a bit too light. The indoor bazaars and teahouses become all the more appealing.
Best Activities in November
Top things to do during your visit
Almaty in November exists in quiet transition. The air carries a sharp, crystalline chill. It is a clear signal that the city is settling in for winter. You will see the last golden leaves clinging to trees in Panfilov Park. You will feel the cool, dry breeze that sweeps down from the surrounding Tien Shan mountains. Locals begin to trade outdoor cafes for the warm, smoky interiors of shashlyk grills. The scent of charring lamb and cumin fills the air. This month has a different rhythm, one of preparation and introspection. It is distinct from the lush green of summer or the deep freeze of January. With average highs around 46 degrees Fahrenheit and lows dipping below freezing, the weather is brisk but manageable. It is good for examining the city's layered history without the crowds of peak seasons. The questions travelers bring to Almaty in November often center on practicality and possibility. They wonder about the weather in Almaty, which shifts decisively toward winter. They specifically ask about conditions at Big Almaty Lake, where the water takes on a profound, steely blue against the first dustings of snow on the peaks. While there are no major festivals this month, the absence creates space for more intimate engagement with the city's museums, markets, and mountain vistas. This is a time for warm laghman noodles in a busy eatery, for the echoing halls of a Soviet-era metro, and for seeing the stark, impressive landscape just as it begins its seasonal rest.
Private Full Day Almaty City Tour
day_tripA Private Full Day Almaty City Tour allows for deep, personal examination of the city's contrasts, from the onion domes of the Ascension Cathedral to the sleek lines of modern Nurly Zhol boulevard. Your guide can tailor the pace to linger at a Soviet-era mosaic or find the perfect stall for tasting sticky, honey-drenched baursaki pastries.
It provides the curated context to understand how Almaty's tsarist, Soviet, and contemporary identities layer upon one another across its varied neighborhoods.
Insider tip: Request a stop at the Abai Opera House to see its grand facade and, if timing aligns, hear the muffled strains of a rehearsal through its heavy doors.
Charyn, Kolsay&Kaiyndy Lakes 2days tour with Mount View Stay
guided_experienceThe Charyn, Kolsay and Kaiyndy Lakes 2-day tour with Mount View Stay is an immersive escape into landscapes of raw, sculpted geology, where you will spend a night under a vast, star-strewn sky. You will see the russet and ochre striations of Charyn Canyon's Valley of Castles and hear the absolute silence surrounding the vivid turquoise of Kolsay Lake.
This extended journey offers the rare chance to witness the subtle color shifts of late autumn in the canyons and the profound stillness of the lakes at dusk and dawn.
Insider tip: Pack layers. The temperature difference between the sunny canyon floor and the shaded, high-altitude lake shores in November is pronounced.
1 Day Group Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake and Kaindy Lake
adventureA 1 Day Group Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake and Kaindy Lake condenses epic scenery into a single, memorable journey from Almaty, traveling through valleys where herds of horses breathe plumes of vapor into the cold air. You will feel the crunch of gravel underfoot on the canyon trail and see the ghostly, submerged spruce trunks in the clear, cold waters of Kaindy Lake.
It efficiently delivers three of Kazakhstan's most photogenic natural wonders in one ambitious, shared adventure.
Insider tip: The group dynamic works best if you are comfortable with a fixed itinerary and ready for a long day of travel on winding mountain roads.
Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly - UNESCO World Heritage
culturalThe Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly tour ventures into the stark, wind-swept steppe to a UNESCO site where thousands of ancient images are carved into black rock. You will see depictions of sun-headed deities and hunting scenes, feel the rough texture of the stone under your fingers, and hear nothing but the wind whistling across the empty plain.
It is a direct, tangible connection to the ritual and daily life of nomadic cultures that flourished here over three millennia ago.
Insider tip: The site is fully exposed; a hat and windproof jacket are essential in November, even on a day with sunshine.
Private tour from Almaty 6 days in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
private_tourA Private tour from Almaty 6 days in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan is a complete trans-border expedition, moving from the urban energy of Almaty to the glacial shores of Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul lake. You will taste the distinct, sour tang of kymyz (fermented mare's milk) in a Kyrgyz village and smell the clean, pine-scented air of an alpine forest.
This tour uniquely contrasts the developed grandeur of Kazakhstan's south with the rugged, pastoral beauty of its neighbor, all with the continuity of a private guide and vehicle.
Insider tip: Border crossings require specific documentation. Confirm all visa and passport requirements in detail with your tour operator well in advance.
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 is a classic sampler of the city's classic experiences, from a cable car ride offering panoramic views to the lively chaos of a traditional food market. You will hear the cacophony of vendors calling out prices for mounds of dried fruit and feel the solemn hush inside the Zenkov Cathedral's candle-lit interior.
It efficiently hits the major landmarks while providing sensory-rich encounters with Almaty's commerce, culture, and mountainous backdrop.
Insider tip: Visit the Green Bazaar in the late morning when it is most active. But before the prime lunch hour crowd descends.
Where to Stay in Almaty in November
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for November travellers.
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View Almaty Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
For the clearest mountain views, plan your excursions for the day after a rain or snow shower. The precipitation scours the pollution from the air, offering crystalline visibility you rarely get in summer.
The best kumys (fermented mare's milk) in November is from southern regions and is often slightly fizzy and less sour than the summer batch. Look for it in sealed bottles at the Green Bazaar, not from open containers.
Skip the cable car up to the Shymbulak ski resort mid-station if the summit is shrouded in cloud. You'll pay for a ride into a grey void. Instead, walk the forest trails around the base. You'll hear the river and smell the pines without the crowd.
Taxi apps are ubiquitous and cheap. But for short city trips in the cold, the old Soviet-era trolleybuses (like route #19 along Abay Ave) are heated and offer a slow, warm, and wonderfully authentic glimpse of daily Almaty life for pennies.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never underestimate the sun. At 1,500-2,500 meters (4,900-8,200 ft), the UV index on a clear November day is deceptively high, reflected powerfully by the snow. You can get sunburned while your fingers are numb. Sunglasses and sunscreen for your face are essential.
Never try to wing a trip to Big Almaty Lake or the Medeu skating rink. The road is often restricted or requires special permission. Always book through a licensed tour operator who handles the paperwork. See vetted options in the booking widget.
Never assume all restaurants serve dinner late. Many traditional Kazakh and Uzbek places in residential neighborhoods wind down by 9 PM. If you want a late meal, stick to the city center or plan ahead.
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