Kazakhstan

Land of contrasts

Discover Kazakhstan, a country where ancient traditions, modern metropolises, majestic mountains and endless steppes are woven into a single pattern. The history of the Great Silk Road, the sparkling peaks of the Alatau, the original culture of nomadic people and stylish urban neighborhoods are simply magic! And what is worth the famous Kazakh hospitality that permeates every corner!

Guide to Kazakhstan

Basic Information

Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia at the junction of Asia and Europe. The huge area and huge population are the key to cultural diversity. Tourist trips to Kazakhstan are always filled with impressions and emotions. Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources, including oil and gas, which makes it one of the leading economies in the region. It is also home to the famous Baikonur Cosmodrome, the largest operating spaceport in the world. More importantly, the country is famous for its unique natural beauty, from the deserts to the Tien Shan and Altai mountains.

Photos of Kazakhstan

Natural landscape in Kazakhstan (Almaty)

https://depositphotos.com/ua/photo/almaty-city-kazakhstan-65581353.html

Yurt - home of nomads in the mountains of Kazakhstan

Capital

Astana

Language

Kazakh, Russian

Currency

Kazakhstan tenge (KZT)

Time zone

GMT +5

Population

20 095 963

Territory

2 724 902

Dishes worth trying:

Beshbarmak — The main Kazakh dish of boiled meat with noodles and broth.

Qazı — traditional homemade horse sausage.

Kumis — a sour drink made from mare's milk.

Kuurdak — meat roast of offal and potatoes with onions and spices.

Koktal — hot smoked fish with vegetables using a special technology.

Things to do in to Kazakhstan

Get around Kazakhstan in an hour in an open-air park in Astana.
Climb to the top of the pyramid, the Palace of Peace and Harmony.
Take a cable car ride from Kok-Tobe Mountain.
Take a walk through the cosmic scenery of the Aktau mountains.
Get to know the traditional culture in Turkestan, the ancient city of the Great Silk Road.

Tips

If you are planning a tour on your own, make a travel itinerary and a list of what you want to see in advance. Because of the very long distances involved, this directly affects the amount of time needed and how much it costs to travel to Kazakhstan.

Dress for the weather and keep an eye on the forecast. The climate of Kazakhstan is very diverse. In the steppe it is very cold in winter, and summers in the desert are always sultry. In the mountains you need comfortable shoes and layered clothing.

Respect local culture and customs. Ask for rules of entry and behavior before visiting religious monuments. Kazakhstan is a country with a huge heritage and great respect for this heritage.

Sights

There are so many sights in Kazakhstan that you can't do without a guidebook. Its natural and historical riches are often underestimated, and for nothing. Even modern shopping centers of the country have already gained their own world fame. For example, Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center in the form of a giant 150-meter tent. The shrines of the vast steppes, such as The Mausoleum of Khawaja Ahmed Yasawi, deserve special attention. And how many museums hospitably open their doors!

Baiterek tower

The country's calling card embodies the idea of a three-level Peace Tree. The top level in the form of a glass ball offers a magnificent view of the entire Astana.

Tarbagatai National Park

It impresses with the scope and variety of unique flora and fauna. There are more than 1600 species of plants alone. It is better to come here in summer, when everything is green.

Baikonur Cosmodrome

The first artificial satellite was launched from here. Yuri Gagarin also went into space from here. The complex includes memorial houses of Korolev and Gagarin.

Tours to Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a country with an amazing variety of nature, cultural traditions and historical monuments. The popularity of tourism here is growing every year, so it is high time to take a chance. Moreover, except for the flight and the road in general, the cost of traveling to Kazakhstan is quite low. Housing, food and entertainment are very affordable here. Prices are higher only in popular tourist destinations and famous resorts, as in the rest of the world. One of the main attractions of Kazakhstan is its natural landscapes. There are many unique phenomena here, like Lake Balkhash. It is a semi-freshwater lake, one of the largest lakes in the country and the world, and the second largest non-drying salt lake after the Caspian Sea. The peninsula divides it into two parts, the composition of water in which is completely different: one part is fresh and the other is salty. Astana amazes with the harmony of modernity and tradition, as well as unique monuments. During local festivals you can enjoy traditional cuisine, music and national games like kokpar and baluan sholak. Kazakh cuisine is a separate topic for discussion. The demand for gastronomic tours to Kazakhstan is also constantly growing. And, of course, in a country with such a landscape, the possibilities for active and adventure tourism are endless.

Where to go to Kazakhstan?

It's impossible to fit everything into one trip to Kazakhstan, so it's best to prioritize what you want to do right away. For cultural recreation, museums, futuristic architecture and green parks go to Almaty or Astana. For impressive natural beauties - to the mountain Lake Kaindy, to Kolsay Lakes National Park or to the Charyn Canyon. For ancient history - to Turkestan, for beach recreation - to Kapchagay Reservoir, and for mountain skiing - to Shymbulak Ski Resort or Alatau.

Astana

When to go to Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan in spring

In spring, nature awakens. Late spring is the ideal season for walking through parks, forests and just flowering city streets. It is also a good season to visit historical sites, nature reserves and national parks.

Kazakhstan in summer

Mountain tours to Kazakhstan are popular in summer. You can find routes of any complexity, with or without instructors. There is no sea in the country, but there are lakes for lovers of beaches and water sports. Keep in mind that in July and August the temperature can reach +40 degrees in steppe regions.

Kazakhstan in the fall

In the fall, the heat subsides, so that you can travel and walk a lot again. If you are planning a trip to Kazakhstan on your own, for example - by car, it is an ideal choice. And at the same time you will be especially pleased with the local cuisine, because autumn is the harvest season.

Kazakhstan in winter

Winter in Kazakhstan is very cold. The temperature can reach -45 degrees in some places, especially in the northern regions. But fans of skiing and snowboarding will not be bored at the resorts of Shymbulak and Tabagan. But for excursions you should choose another time.

Usefulness

To make your trip to Kazakhstan unforgettable, you need to prepare for it in advance. And we have already collected the main tips and recommendations in one section. Visa, legal and organizational intricacies - no more problems!

Visa to Kazakhstan

For citizens of the EU and the USA visa-free regime is valid for up to 30 days.

Customs & Tax Free

Goods up to a certain amount and weight can be imported and exported duty free. Some goods are prohibited for import and export. If something in your luggage does not fit the rules, it must be declared. The Tax Free system allows tourists to reclaim VAT on purchases.

Travel by car

Due to the impressive size of Kazakhstan, renting a car is the most convenient way of traveling around the country and traveling within major cities. The cost of a car on average starts from 20000 KZT per day, but depends on the rental period and class of car. There are several services to choose from.

Phrasebook for tourists

Russian is widely spoken and used in Kazakhstan, especially in large cities. It is also used in media and business. But Kazakhstan actively supports the development and dissemination of the Kazakh language, so it will be useful to learn the basic words and concepts.

Public transport and prices

Kazakhstan has all major modes of public transportation - buses, minibuses, intercity trains and express trains. Almaty has a metro - the most convenient transportation, especially during rush hour. Keep in mind that there are traffic jams in big cities. And pay attention to the hours of operation of transportation - they may vary.

Events

The main authentic holiday of Kazakhstan is Nowruz, the beginning of spring with mass festivities. Independence Day and the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha are also celebrated with great fanfare. Interesting nomadic festivals and competitions in traditional sports are held in various cities.