Dennis Keen is an American researcher, educator, and passionate tour leader who has called Almaty, Kazakhstan home since 2013. Married to a local and raising two children—a son and a daughter—Dennis has built a life deeply connected to the people, language, and culture of Central Asia.

As one of Infinite Horizons’ key cultural guides, Dennis leads tours throughout Kazakhstan and neighboring regions, offering guests a calm, thoughtful, and engaging experience. His tours are infused with a deep knowledge of the region’s history, traditions, and architecture, all shared with the clarity and warmth of a natural teacher. Whether unraveling the symbolism behind Soviet mosaics or telling stories of Silk Road cities, Dennis brings every destination to life with enthusiasm and insight.

Outside of guiding, Dennis is the founder of Walking Almaty, the city’s first and most respected walking tour company, known for uncovering hidden layers of Almaty’s urban fabric. He also spearheads Monumental Almaty, a groundbreaking research and advocacy initiative dedicated to preserving and documenting Soviet monumental art.

A prolific writer and scholar, Dennis has authored guidebooks on Kazakhstan’s national parks, architecture, and Soviet-era art. He has shared his expertise as a lecturer at UCLA, teaching courses on Kazakh history, culture, and language, and has reached a wider audience through his television series Discovering Kazakhstan with Dennis Keen on Kazakh TV.

With a rare combination of academic rigor, local insight, and a friendly, down-to-earth personality, Dennis Keen offers travelers an enriching and unforgettable window into Kazakhstan and Central Asia—not just as a destination, but as a living, evolving cultural landscape.