Kazakhstan wasn’t exactly a destination I had pictured myself traveling to anytime soon. In fact, before attending TBEX in Almaty, I knew very little about the country, and even less about Zhetysu.
Then I was selected for a post-conference adventure through the region, and suddenly my itinerary included rafting down the Koksu River, exploring some of the most surreal landscapes I’d ever seen and finally checking paragliding off my bucket list.
I’ll admit, when I saw the word “Adventure” in the trip name, I may have underestimated just how much adventure we were actually talking about. 😂
But that’s exactly what made Zhetysu one of the biggest surprises of my first trip to Kazakhstan. From colorful mountains and massive sand dunes to rivers, open landscapes and experiences that pushed me slightlyyyy outside my comfort zone, this is a part of Central Asia I honestly hadn’t known much about before visiting.
And if you’re the kind of traveler who would rather spend a trip rafting, hiking and flying over the landscape than sitting beside a hotel pool all week, Zhetysu deserves to be on your radar.
Where Is Zhetysu, Kazakhstan?
Zhetysu, also written as Zhetisu, is a region in southeastern Kazakhstan. Its administrative center is Taldykorgan, and the present-day Zhetysu Region was officially established in 2022 after the former Almaty Region was divided.
The region covers around 118,000 square kilometers, so we’re not talking about one little destination you can see in an afternoon. Its geography is incredibly varied, with everything from deserts and rivers to lakes and mountain landscapes. It’s also home to major natural areas including Altyn-Emel National Park and the Zhongar Alatau mountain system.
That diversity is one of the things that makes Zhetysu such an interesting destination for adventure travelers. You can go from climbing a giant sand dune one day to rafting a river or paragliding over green landscapes the next.
And that’s pretty much what happened to me.
Related read: Visit Kazakhstan – Where Old Meets New on the Ancient Silk Road
Things To Do in Zhetysu
1. Paragliding Over Zhetysu Was a Bucket-List Moment
I’m not going to lie: seeing paragliding on the itinerary was one of the biggest reasons I decided to join the Adventure Zhetysu FAM trip.
Paragliding had been on my adventure bucket list for YEARS, but I had absolutely no idea when I’d actually do it.
I’ve had my fair share of adventures involving heights, hot-air balloon rides, ziplining and plenty of other activities that probably looked questionable from the ground, but paragliding always seemed different.
You’re literally running off the side of a mountain and then… you’re in the air. And then eventually you have to LAND.
For some reason, that second part might have scared me even more.
At the same time, whenever I’d seen videos of people paragliding, it looked incredibly peaceful. There’s something about floating above the landscape with nothing blocking the view that I’d always wanted to experience for myself.
Our group went paragliding at Tau Zhetysu, and I ended up being one of the last people in our group to take off.
Normally, having extra time to stand around and think about what you’re about to do is NOT helpful. But this time it actually was.
Everyone who landed before me came back looking like they were on some sort of happiness high, talking about how incredible the experience was. Seeing their reactions made me noticeably less nervous. And then it was finally my turn.
I DID IT.
Once we were actually in the air, so much of the fear disappeared. It was far more peaceful than I expected, and seeing Zhetysu’s green landscapes stretched out beneath me made the whole experience feel surreal. After waiting so long to finally try paragliding, I couldn’t have asked for a much more beautiful place to do it.
One thing I also loved about Tau Zhetysu was being able to stay right near the paragliding area. Our accommodation put us incredibly close to the action, and seeing paragliders floating through the sky even when I wasn’t the one attached to one made the entire stay feel a little surreal.
For adventure travelers, having the activity and accommodation in the same area also makes the experience incredibly convenient.
2. Rafting the Koksu River Was the Adventure I Was Most Nervous About
Paragliding might sound scarier, but strangely enough, rafting was the one I was most nervous about.
There’s a simple reason: I’m not a strong swimmer.
Rafting had also been on my bucket list for a while, but knowing I’d be sitting in a raft moving quickly down a river definitely brought out the “What exactly have I signed myself up for?” thoughts.
Once we got going, though, I LOVED it.
It was thrilling without feeling like I couldn’t handle it, almost like being on a water ride, except much faster and with the very obvious realization that you’re on an actual river rather than inside a theme park. 😂
There were calmer moments where I could actually look around and take in the scenery, which was absolutely gorgeous by the way, followed by sections where everyone was paddling and the adrenaline immediately kicked back in. That combination is what made it so fun.
For someone who doesn’t necessarily consider herself a hardcore adventure traveler, rafting the Koksu River felt like exactly the right amount of pushing myself outside my comfort zone.
And yes, I’d absolutely do it again.
3. The Landscapes Alone Are Worth the Adventure
Even if you’re not interested in throwing yourself off a mountain or rafting down a river, Zhetysu’s landscapes are enough reason to explore the region.
This was probably what surprised me the most. Parts of the region look SO different from one another that it’s hard to believe you’re still traveling through the same area.
One of the most fascinating places is Altyn-Emel National Park, where you’ll find everything from colorful mountains to one of Kazakhstan’s most unusual natural landmarks: the Singing Dune.
The Aktau Mountains
The Aktau Mountains almost look painted.
Instead of the green mountain landscapes you might normally picture, Aktau is known for layers of pale white, pink and reddish colors that create these dramatic formations across the desert.
It’s the kind of landscape that makes you want to stop every few minutes because the formations seem to change depending on where you’re standing.
The Singing Dune
Then there’s the Singing Dune, which might be one of the coolest natural sights in the region.
Sitting between the Greater and Lesser Kalkan mountains, the dune system covers around 240 hectares, with its larger southern dune reaching approximately 150 meters high. What makes it particularly unusual is the low humming or roaring sound that can occur when dry sand moves along the dune.
Yes. The sand basically sings. The dune itself is also surreal to see: this enormous golden mountain of sand rising out of an otherwise rocky, open landscape.
And if you want the full adventure experience, you can attempt the climb.
I’ll just warn you now: walking uphill through sand is an entirely different workout, but you’ll get an amazing view up top, so I’d say, it’s worth it.
Altyn-Emel has designated visitor routes connecting attractions such as the Singing Dune with other natural and historical sites in the park, making it the kind of destination where it’s worth planning enough time rather than rushing through.
Between the dunes, colorful mountains, rivers and huge open spaces, Zhetysu constantly feels like it’s changing around you.
4. Adventure Here Isn’t Only About Adrenaline
Something else I appreciated about traveling through Zhetysu was that the experience wasn’t solely about physical adventure.
After spending time in Almaty, traveling farther into the region gave me a completely different perspective on Kazakhstan. Things felt more local and slower-paced.
We ate home-style Kazakh meals, learned about local traditions and traveled through places that felt worlds away from the modern city environment I’d experienced in Almaty.
And yes, Kazakhstan was also where I tried horse meat for the first time. That was an adventure of its own.
Food is such a big part of understanding a destination, and sitting down to traditional meals between all of our activities gave me a chance to experience another side of the region.
Those quieter cultural moments ended up being just as memorable as some of the adrenaline-filled ones.
That’s why I think Zhetysu works particularly well for travelers who want adventure AND culture, rather than a trip built entirely around extreme activities.
5. What Surprised Me Most About Zhetysu
Honestly? How much there was to experience.
I went into this trip knowing almost nothing about Zhetysu, which meant I also didn’t have many expectations.
I certainly wasn’t expecting such varied landscapes. I wasn’t expecting the traditions and cultural experiences to be so much fun.
And I definitely wasn’t expecting navigating Kazakhstan to feel as manageable as it did.
There was a language barrier at times, especially once we were outside the bigger cities, but I found people to be kind and helpful throughout my trip. Between translation apps, a little patience and the universal language of pointing at things when all else fails, communication was easier to navigate than I’d worried it would be.
Most of all, the nature surprised me.
Kazakhstan is HUGE, and my time in Zhetysu made me realize just how much of the country exists beyond the city experiences travelers might initially associate with Almaty or Astana.
There are mountains, rivers, deserts, lakes and national parks, and so much of it still felt completely unfamiliar to me before I arrived.
Should Adventure Travelers Visit Zhetysu?
Yes. If your ideal trip includes nature, outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and destinations that still feel a little unexpected, Zhetysu belongs on your radar.
You don’t have to be an extreme adventure traveler, and I’m certainly not. That is part of why I enjoyed the trip so much. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, and I didn’t need to become a professional hiker or adrenaline junkie to enjoy it.
My time in Zhetysu was only one part of my first trip to Kazakhstan, and it definitely left me wanting to see more.
If you’re planning a longer trip, I’ve put together my complete Kazakhstan travel guide, covering my time in Almaty and Zhetysu, where I stayed, things to do, day trips, transportation tips, what I wish I knew before visiting and my experience traveling through Kazakhstan as a solo female traveler.
Because if there’s one thing this trip taught me, it’s that Kazakhstan has WAY more to explore than I ever realized.
And Zhetysu was a pretty incredible place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to be a strong swimmer to raft the Koksu River?
I’m not a strong swimmer, and I rafted it and loved it. The ride alternates calmer stretches with sections where everyone paddles hard. Ask your operator about safety gear and any swimming requirements before you go.
Is Zhetysu only for extreme adventure travelers?
No. I don’t consider myself a hardcore adventurer, and the mix of rafting, paragliding, and dune climbing felt like the right amount of challenge. The trip also included slower days built around home-style Kazakh meals and local traditions.
Will a language barrier make it hard to travel in Zhetysu?
I hit a language barrier at times, mostly outside the bigger cities. Translation apps, patience, and a lot of pointing got me through, and the people I met were kind and helpful.
How is Zhetysu different from Almaty?
Almaty felt like a modern city. Zhetysu felt more local and slower-paced, with more open landscapes and more time spent in nature and with local traditions.
