What to do in Burabay National Park [Complete Itinerary]
Burabay National Park (aka Lake Borovoe), located in the far north of Kazakhstan, isn’t usually on the radar for most international travellers. But the mention of it to any local Kazakh (especially in Astana) often sparked ruptures of happiness and curiosity. Which left me wondering – what is the Burabay hype all about?
Burabay isn’t about extreme adventure. Instead, it’s about breathing fresh air, walking through quiet pine forests, and watching the sun set over glassy water. It’s where Kazakh families go to relax, and where nature still feels untouched in parts. So if you’re in Kazakhstan and craving something different from city life or endless steppe, make space in your itinerary for this little pocket of nature!
Whether you’re a backpacking through Central Asia or a weekend adventurer based in Astana, this Burabay itinerary will help you make the most of 2-3 days in one of Kazakhstan’s most cherished natural spots. I’ll break down what to do in Burabay, how to get there, and exactly how to make the most of your time there (whether visiting for a day or longer). So let’s get started…
Burabay Itinerary in Short
- Day 1: Arrive, explore Burabay town, shoreline walk, Zhumbaktas Rock & Okzhetpes
- Day 2: Hike Bolektau and Starshaya Sestra
- Day 3 (optional): Rent bikes, swim in the lake, return to Astana
How to use this Burabay itinerary: This itinerary covers pretty much all the best things to do in Burabay National Park. Some of the activities are weather dependent, so feel free to swap around days and activities to suit your needs.
How long to spend in Burabay?
Given its size, 2 to 3 days in Burabay is ideal. It’s enough time to hike, swim, explore a few natural landmarks, and still take it easy. The town itself is pretty small (and run down), so it’s the National Park where you will want to spend the majority of your time.
If you’re really tight on time, a day trip from Astana is possible, but expect a long day with limited exploration. In my opinion, you’ll miss the peaceful vibe that makes Burabay special. Whereas, if you love slow mornings and mountain air, give Burabay a few days.
When to visit Burabay?
Burabay National Park is beautiful all year round, but for different reasons.
- Spring – Wildflowers bloom, pleasant temperatures as you get closer to summer.
- Summer (June to August) is the peak season. Best weather with warm days, cool evenings, and everything is green. This is when the lakes are perfect for swimming and hiking trails are clear. But it’s also the most popular time for domestic tourism, so book your stay early.
- Autumn (September-early October) is also beautiful. Fewer crowds, golden leaves, and crisp air. Cooler temperatures make it perhaps not so pleasant for swimming.
- Winter turns Burabay into a quiet snow-draped forest. It’s peaceful, but many hikes and attractions are harder to access unless you’re geared up for snow.
I opted for mid-May, just before the true summer heat. It was warm, and a pleasant temperature for hiking. However, there were particularly large amounts of pollen and mosquitoes in the air so bring bug spray! Besides that, the whole town seemed rather deserted, so be prepared for many restaurants/shops to be closed outside of peak season!
How to get to Burabay
Burabay is located way up in Northern Kazakhstan. It’s nearest major city is Astana. From here there are various transport options:
- Train: Daily trains run from Astana Station (1) and take you to Burabay Station (Kurort Burubay). This is the option I took since it allows easy booking online, and a budget-friendly price. The journey is around 3.5 hours, but we were given beds which makes it more comfortable.
From the station, which is actually in Shchuchinsk, make your way to the town of Burabay. It’s around 30-minute drive, though the taxi drivers seem to race back and forth! Expect to pay around 4000T as a tourist. - Drive: Driving to Burabay takes a similar amount of time to the train (3 hours), and the roads are pretty good. From Astana, you could get a Yandex but this is waaay more expensive (more like 50,000 tenge). Therefore renting a car would be more sensible for this option and gives you flexibility to explore further on arrival.
- Bus/Marshrutka: Leaves from Astana’s Saparzhai bus station. Slightly slower but more frequent.
Once you’re in Burabay, Yandex (Kazakhstan’s main taxi hailing app) doesn’t operate, so the majority of your movements will be on foot! Though there are a few taxis around.
To travel back to Astana from Burabay, simply follow the same journey in reverse. Getting to the station can be difficult. Therefore, use InDrive to find a taxi to the train station again, or ask your accommodation to help you arrange a taxi.
NOTE: If you are travelling in the summer, particularly on weekends, book trains in advance as they can sell out.
Day 1: Arrival & Local Exploring
From Astana, it’s about a 3 to 4-hour journey to Burabay, depending on your mode of transport. You’ll arrive either in Burabay train station or Shchuchinsk, both of which are close to the park. Shared taxis or hotel pickups can get you to the town center.
Once you check into your guesthouse or hotel, go for a relaxed wander around town to get your bearings. Perhaps grab a meal at a lakeside cafe or try one of the local shashlik stalls to refuel after your journey.
From the town centre, you can easily walk to Lake Burabay’s shoreline. The pine scent and the clear water are a perfect welcome. Along the way there are a few quiet spots to go for a dip!
There’s an easy, woodland trail which follows the coastline towards Zhumbaktas Rock, a strange shaped boulder rising out of the lake. During winter, the lake freezes over so you can access it on foot, whilst in the summer, you can hire a boat or kayak for a closer look!
There are several stalls for food and drinks in this shaded area, so take your time before heading back to town for dinner. My favourite restaurant in town was Cafe Dostar.
Whilst you’re here, visit the base of Mount Okzhetpes – this striking cliff is wrapped in local legend. It’s also climbable, though more suited to experienced hikers or climbers.
Day 2: Bolektau Viewpoint & Starshaya Sestra Hike
Today’s all about hiking and soaking in the views.
Start your morning by hiking Bolektau viewpoint, a rocky hill with the best panoramic views over the national park. From here you’ll see Lake Burabay shimmering below, the bizarre shape of Zhumbaktas Rock, the jagged silhouette of Mount Okzhetpes and vast forests stretching into the distance!
You can hike to Bolektau directly from town – it’s well-marked and easy to follow (just wear shoes with decent grip). It should take less than an hour to get there on foot.
If you don’t fancy going up Bolektau, there’s a lower rock (Tufelka) which also has similarly great views but is slightly more accessible
If you want a full day of hiking, you can continue onwards to Starshaya Sestra, which in my opinion has the best views across the whole of Burabay National Park. It’s not an easy hike, but the views are well worth it!
NOTE: For dinner, try one of the local restaurants serving fish caught from the nearby lakes.
Day 3: Rent a bike and Relax
Spend your last day exploring a bit further. Getting further away from the town is best done by bicycle.
Rent a bike from the town centre. There used to be stalls scattered everywhere, but now there are a couple of main spots in the town centre and beside the lake. You shouldn’t miss them!
For one hour’s rental, we paid around 1500 tenge, but most are up for negotiation particularly if you’re in a group or consider more time.
You should be able to find a deserted spot where you can relax and take a swim. The lake is especially beautiful and swimmable on some of the southern beaches.
Take a book with you or some headphones so you can properly switch off before your departure.
Back in town stop by the Burabay Museum of Nature if you’re into learning about local flora, fauna, and Kazakh myths. Then maybe pick up souvenirs or local honey before heading back.
Depending on your schedule, take an afternoon or evening train back to Astana. Or better yet, extend your trip if you’re not in a rush. I took the train from Burabay at around 10pm which gave me the whole day in Burabay, though arrived in Astana quite late!
Where to stay in Burabay
Options range from lakeside resorts to cozy guesthouses. Stay as close to the lake as you can to minimise additional transport costs. Plus the sunrise views are magic here.
A few good choices:
- Rixos Borovoe – high-end, lakeside views, full comfort
- Green Park Hotel – mid-range and central
- Local guesthouses – plenty of homey options on Booking.com or local apps
If you’re on a tight budget, check out hostels or shared accommodation near the town center.
During low or shoulder season, many of these accommodation options will be completely empty. I visited in May and we were the only people in our guesthouse! Which was nice but quite surreal!
What to pack for Burabay
What to bring completely depends on the season that you visit Burabay National Park. If you visit in the winter, you’ll need thick, weather appropriate clothing. Whilst in the summer, it’s more T-shirt and shorts weather.
However, here are a few things to consider packing for Burabay:
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
- Swimwear and towel (in summer)
- Layers – evenings can get chilly, even in summer
- Sunscreen and bug spray (yes, there are mosquitoes)
- A reusable water bottle (tap water is not always drinkable unless you have a strong stomach)
Where to go after Burabay
Burabay makes a great weekend getaway or a break from urban travel, but if you’re continuing your Kazakhstan adventure, here are a few options for your next steps:
- Astana – The futuristic capital, just a few hours south. If you’re heading anywhere elsewhere, you’ll probably need to pass through here.
- Kokshetau – A quieter town surrounded by more nature
- Karaganda – For Soviet history, mines, and a deeper look at Kazakhstan’s past
- Almaty – If you’re heading south, hop a train or flight to Almaty for mountains, food, and Central Asia’s most charismatic city.
If you are following my complete Kazakhstan itinerary, you will return to Astana.
Before you go
Thank you for reading this itinerary – I hope this has given you inspiration for what to do in Burabay during your trip. If guides, itineraries and travel content like this interest you, head over to my Homepage to find out more.
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Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.
Happy travelling!