How many days in Kazakhstan is enough?
At least 4 or 5 days is needed while 7 to 10 days is highly recommended. If you have less than 5 days, base yourself in Almaty and add the Alyth Emel or Charyn Canyon Natural Park to your list. A 7-to10-day itinerary is the sweet spot for first-timers to tick off all highlights, including Almaty city sightseeing, the Singing Dunes and Aktau Mountains in Altyn Emel, the Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon, and Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes. Have a longer vacation? Decode the capital, Astana, and Silk Road cities of Taraz, Shymkent, and Turkestan. Or, extend your journey to other Central Asian neighbors.
What is Kazakhstan most famous for?
This world’s largest landlocked country is celebrated for boundless steppes, emerald alpine lakes, and wild desert formations. Top highlights include Kaindy Lake’s sunken spruce forest, Charyn Canyon’s Valley of Castles, and Altyn Emel’s Singing Dunes. A lesser-known trump card is Mars-like Mangyshlak westernmost along the coast of the Caspian Sea. Nomadic traditions still thrive in the country, reminding visitors of the old Silk Road through dombra melodies, Golden Eagle Hunting Festival, and horse culture everywhere. On the contrary, Astana’s unrealistic modern buildings and Baikonur Cosmodrome lend to the country’s magic appeal.
How to get to and travel around Kazakhstan?
The main gateway to Kazakhstan is the Almaty International Airport (ALA), where all top sights center around it, connecting international flights from Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Paris, and Frankfurt. If your focus is northern Kazakhstan, consider landing at the Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) in Astana.
Travelling within the country, the real constraint is the distance, so domestic flights, overnight train, and 4×4 vehicles are main transportation. Give up self-driving trips, as washboard road conditions among some remote spots will daunt you. Yet, that’s what our private Kazakhstan tour packages are good at, with an experienced driver guide tackling everything from route plan to safety guarantee.
When is the best time to visit Kazakhstan?
For most travelers, April to June and September to October are all-rounder - pleasant temperatures of about 16℃ (60.8℉), fewer crowds, and the natural highlights all accessible. The concern is packing layers for ever-changing weather, including breathable cotton or thermal base layers, windbreakers, light down-jackets, raincoats, high-factor sun creams, and boots with strong grip.
However, the best time varies by activities, detailed as below:
● Mountain trekking & lake trips (Kolsai, Kaindy, Charyn Canyon, Altyn Emel): Late May to early October. The temperatures can peak at over 40℃ (104℉) between June and August, so please keep hydrated when visiting deserts.
● Nomadic culture, eagle festival, and yurt stays: September to early October.
● Winter sports near Almaty: December to February.
● City sightseeing: just avoid heading to Astana from November to March, when the temperatures plummet to -40℃ (-40℉).
Is Kazakhstan expensive to visit?
Globally, Kazakhstan is quite affordable, although a little bit pricier compared with its other ‘stan’ brothers, especially Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Backpackers can get by on USD 25-50 a day in these two countries, while the expenses easily double in Kazakhstan. A mid-range hotel is priced at about USD 80-110 per night, and an ordinary local meal costs around USD 12-15 per person, which means that planning at least USD 150 for daily budget is essential.
Is Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan better for tourists?
It’s hard to choose a winner, as they are two worlds apart. Surrounded by expansive Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan is suitable for cultural immersion in its profound Silk Road civilization and architecture in Samarkand, Khiva, Bukhara, and Tashkent. Crave for diversity dominated by natural wonders? Kazakhstan is yours! Besides landscapes with a largely extensive span, the country’s nomadic customs and modern Central Asian cities are worth exploration. Given the difficulty of exploring Central Asia, just tour them at one go if you are torn.
Do’s and Don’ts in Kazakhstan
Dos:
1.Get used to receiving a half-full cup of tea, a signal for you to stay longer through frequent refills.
2.Remove your shoes at the door when visiting local families to show respect.
3.Always ask permission before capturing photos of local people.
Don’ts:
1.Avoid bringing e-cigarettes into the country or smoking in enclosed public spaces (illegal).
2.It’s better not to plan too much in one day. Distances are vast!
3.Don’t drink tap water, as it may contain animal waste.
