Kazakhstan isn't on most Indian travellers' radar yet, but it should be — especially in winter. This 5 nights / 6 days package is built around Almaty's winter sports and snow-covered mountains. If you've been skiing in Europe and found it overpriced, or if you've never skied at all and want to try, Almaty is the answer.

What You'll Do

• Day 1 — Fly into Almaty, check into Dostyk Hotel, and take a winter walk through Panfilov Park. The Zenkov Cathedral looks incredible in the snow — it's one of the world's tallest wooden buildings
• Day 2 — Shymbulak Ski Resort, just 30 minutes from the city centre. Whether you're a beginner or experienced skier, the slopes here are excellent and a fraction of European prices. In the evening, ice skating at Medeu — the world's highest outdoor skating rink at 1,691 metres
• Day 3 — Second day on the slopes at Shymbulak. Two days of skiing lets you actually improve and explore different runs instead of just getting one rushed session
• Day 4 — Turgen Gorge winter hike through snow-covered forest and frozen waterfalls. This is the day that surprises people — they come for the skiing but the gorge hike becomes the highlight
• Day 5 — City tour, Green Bazaar (the best food market in Central Asia), and a cable car ride to Kok Tobe hill for panoramic views of the city against the Tien Shan mountains
• Day 6 — Free morning for souvenir shopping and departure

Why Almaty in Winter?

Shymbulak has reliable snow from November through March, with modern lifts and well-maintained runs. A day pass costs around ₹2,500 compared to ₹8,000+ in the Alps. Add to that the visa-free entry for Indians (14 days), direct flights from Delhi, and accommodation that's 60% cheaper than European ski towns — it's hard to argue against it.

Dostyk Hotel

A solid 4-star in central Almaty, walking distance to the Green Bazaar and Panfilov Park. Warm rooms (important when it's -15°C outside), good restaurant, and a central location that makes evening exploration easy.