National Park Burabay — Local services in Shchuchinsk

My June 2025 trip to Burabay National Park was truly a special memory, made all the better by sharing it with my closest friends. As students who have called Astana home for the past four years, we are no strangers to Kazakhstan's landscapes, but what made this trip truly exceptional was being able to share the wonder with my friend’s mother and younger brother, who were visiting the country for the first time. Their wide-eyed amazement and genuine excitement gave all of us a fresh perspective on this incredible natural gem, lovingly known as "Kazakh Switzerland". We spent a beautiful day immersing ourselves in the scenery. The boat ride across the clear, cool lake water was a highlight, giving us a front-row seat to the stunning, forested shorelines and unique rock formations. The beach itself was pristine, with a clean shore leading into the refreshing water and a lush garden area that offered a perfect, relaxing spot for everyone. We also indulged in a fantastic barbeque, laughing and creating new memories together while surrounded by the tranquil atmosphere. Beyond the shoreline, we ventured further into the park to explore more of its magic. We took a leisurely hike up a trail, passing through towering pine and birch trees that filled the air with their earthy scent. We were rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the serene lakes and rolling hills, a moment that left us all in awe of the unspoiled nature. Sharing the peaceful silence of the forest with my friends and their family was an unforgettable experience. For the first-timers, every part of the day was an adventure, from the tranquil boat ride to the delicious barbeque and the invigorating hike. Seeing their joy and wonder was the greatest pleasure. For us long-time residents, it was a beautiful reminder of the amazing country we live in and a chance to fall in love with Burabay all over again. We left with a deep sense of peace and a collection of wonderful, shared memories that we will cherish for...

It’s like a Siberian wonderland, but on a ‘little bit warmer’ setting (in North Kazakhstan that is), with lush or thick birch and pine tree forests surrounding the 14 lakes of the national park. My best worded descriptions are surreal (dreamlike), ethereal, calming or soothing, majestic, and quite peaceful. I think if you really want to visit and be surrounded by a tranquil Siberian forest with majestic lakes without going to east of Russia, Burabay is the best place to go to.

Since it is a National Park, you will also observe that the roads are well maintained, bicycle and walking paths provided, and commercial establishments like restaurants and coffee shops are well-placed within the vicinity of the national park. I would like to point-out though that I visited the park on the 3rd of May, and the weather was very good – clear ‘spring season’ skies with mild temperatures (though a bit chilly 9 degrees Celsius). This means that my assessment correlates with the great weather I experienced during the visit. As per my tour guide friend, Burabay can be very different during the 4 seasons of the year, with the winter season as the harshest but very picturesque as you will see the lakes frozen over and the trees and forests covered with snow.

My time in Burabay was quite short, which was around 2 or 3 hours, as the drive from Astana in the morning was 3~4 hours already (which means a total of 7 hours driving to and from Astana if you will consider a day-trip visit to Burabay). My short stay meant that I did not have the chance to walk in the forests, sit and relax beside the lakes, and just breathe the clean, fresh air from the forests. If I have the chance, I may stay overnight as I want to witness how the new day or dawn beckons on the enchanting forests of Burabay.

Burabay might be a little bit far from Astana, but it is the best place that you can visit outside of the capital city of KZ. Recommended? Highly with...

I visited the beautiful Burabay National Park for a day from Astana. The trip was organized by Easy Nomad agency in Astana, and I enjoyed the knowledge and professionalism of my guide Damir. The park is absolutely gorgeous, and it has a really interesting history, starting from the early rule and romation of Kazakhstan, cositnuing to the Soviet Era. I enjoyed walking in the pine forest, and the little hike up to the viewpoint. Since it was off-season (ealry April), I got to enjoy the place all by myself, but apparently towards the summer the park and the nearby resort become rather crowded. Lunch options are available year round at the resort village. My photos all look great, so this is definitely a worthy visit for those who like to post on Instagram. For me, an organized day trip with an English-speaking guide was the most comfortable option, as I am a female solo traveler and it was my second day in the country (since then I quickly noticed how safe Kazakhstan is, though). Such trips are pricey though, and for more experienced, especially Russian-speaking visitors, I would recommend just simply renting a car and venturing out on your own. The park does not seem to be very easy to reach by public transportation, although taxis from train and bus...