Central Asia is a fascinating part of the world and is picking up fast in terms of tourism. My first exposure to this part of the world was in school geography where we learnt about the Steppes – vast empty grasslands that spread across the continent. I had also learnt that the USSR used to occupy most of this region until it collapsed – giving way to new countries. There was a mystery associated with these new countries – the “Stans”. The largest of them is Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world. As we went about planning our Central Asia itinerary, we knew it would be tough to cover the entirety of Kazakhstan – most of the country was covered by desert or steppes. Which meant a lot of travel between places. So, we did our research and picked the Almaty region – a region that is often compared to Switzerland in terms of its natural beauty.

You can find some of the most striking landscapes imaginable, really amazing hiking options and even skiing in the winters!

Kazakhstan has borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. It is the largest landlocked country in the world (poor Caspian Sea is not considered a “real sea”).

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Best Time to Visit

July and August are the peak season months in the mountain regions as everyone heads out here to avoid the heat. November to March plunges the temperature to sub-zero (Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan is the second coldest capital in the world after Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia). So, the perfect time to travel is April to June and September-October. If you are travelling specifically to ski, then you have to hit the December-February window. We travelled in mid-June and the weather was perfect. We could see the crowds swelling up in the mountains and it wasn’t even peak season yet!

Getting Around Kazakhstan, Visa and Currency

Almaty is the biggest hub in Kazakhstan and is most likely where you would fly into the country. It is also placed very close to the other Stans making it an attractive choice as the point of entry (check the map above). Indigo now has direct flights to Almaty from Delhi – which is a huge plus! The Almaty airport has beautiful views of the Tian Shan mountains – keep an eye out for it!

Once you’re in the country, there are plenty of domestic airlines including Air Astana, FlyArystan, Qazaq Air and SCAT. If you’re in the mood for adventure, you can travel by road. But be prepared for days of travel through a desolate landscape which will never seem to end. Since we were just going around the Almaty region, we hired a car to take us around. Kazakhstan also has a high speed rail network which you can consider.

For Indians, there is no Visa required for travelling up to 14 days (Yaaaay!!). There are very few such countries in the world where Indians can travel without a grueling Visa process and I was super grateful that Kazakhstan was one of them! It wasn’t always the case – the new rules came into effect recently after the country decided to open up for tourism.

The Kazakh currency is the Kazakhstani Tenge. It is without doubt, the most beautiful currency I’ve seen so far. The notes have rich colors with detailed images – some of them printed vertically! A quick Google search told me that the Tenge has won several awards for having the most beautiful banknotes! In terms of conversion rate, we were still in the territory where the INR was stronger – 1 INR gave us 5.5 Tenge. 1 USD was 458 Tenge at the time of our travel.

How many days to spend in Kazakhstan?

My favorite controversial question of them all! A good benchmark would be 7 days – you can cover a lot of national parks and get a taste of the culture and varied landscapes while you’re here. Stick to the Almaty region as it will offer you the best variety. You can take a flight to Astana if you’d like to see the capital. If you have fewer days, you can follow what we did. Keep reading!

Our Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Almaty airport in the morning flight. Meet the driver who is waiting to take you to the Kolsai lakes. Visit the Black Canyon on the way to the Kolsai lakes. Reach the beautiful Kolsai lake, take a hike along the shores. Taste some local fermented mare’s milk. Stay at a local farmhouse in Saty village for the night.

Day 2: Take a 4×4 ride to the Kaindy lake – the one with the dead trees sticking out. Leave for Charyn Canyon after lunch. Visit the Canyon and get back to Almaty city. Go for an authentic Georgian dinner.

Day 3: Explore Almaty city – Panfilov Park, Green Bazaar, Lotte Rakhat factory, the Almaty metro, Kok Tobe and the Republic Square.

Day 4: Fly out

Some edits to this that we recommend: Spend more time in Almaty if possible. For example, you don’t need to leave for Kolsai straight from the airport – we had to do it because of time constraints. Spend the day in Almaty soaking in the vibe of the city. Walk around, sit in the cafes and just have a good time! There are plenty of good restaurants and cafes – you can spend a leisurely 2-3 days just in Almaty.

Hope this post helps you kick off your trip to Kazakhstan. Here is a list of the other blogs to get all the details:

• Captivating Kazakhstan – Awe-Inspiring nature at its finest – a journey through steppes, mountains, lakes and canyons
• Almaty – The Origin Of Apples And An Amazing City!

If you have any questions on how to plan your trip, leave a comment below and we’ll be happy to help. Do subscribe to the blog if you like the content. You can also share it with fellow travel enthusiasts.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs):

Is Kazakhstan safe for tourists? Are there any specific safety considerations or precautions that travelers should be aware of when exploring Kazakhstan, especially in remote areas or during outdoor activities like hiking and skiing?
Yes, Kazakhstan is generally very safe for tourists and is among the best cities you can visit in Central Asia. It combines the cultural diversity of Asia with the modernity of Europe in most parts. Safety considerations would be the same as it is in most places in the world – avoid stepping out in lonely areas at night, inform your hotel/homestay before going for a hike or skiing, take a local guide or driver if possible.

Are there any potential language barriers or language tips for travelers who don’t speak Kazakh or Russian while exploring Kazakhstan, especially in remote areas outside of Almaty?
Google translate is the best option. Download the Russian dictionary and keep it ready for offline access and use it to communicate with the locals. It would help to have a local guide if possible.

How much should I budget for a trip to Kazakhstan, including expenses for accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities?
This would totally depend on the kind of accommodation you choose – basic, mid-range or luxury. If you go for a mid-range, you would end up spending roughly 80-100 USD per day including food, accommodation and activities.

Are there any specific cultural or historical landmarks in the Almaty region that were not mentioned in the itinerary but are worth visiting?
There are a couple of other national parks that are worth visiting. You can also visit the cultural museum and local theatres for getting a feel of the local history and culture. If you have enough time, you should definitely plan a couple of those.