Sports and leisure activities Kazakhstan

Budget & Tips

As far as your budget is concerned, bear in mind that Kazakhstan can't pull down prices by taking advantage of high tourist numbers. Tourism in Kazakhstan is still often carried out by individuals on the move, or by groups of hikers or mountaineers who are only making a one-off visit to a specific area. Prices are affected by this, and the services of an agency, a guide or the rental of a 4x4 will certainly be the most important items of your stay, at least if you want to get off the beaten track and benefit from local services. If you do it all yourself, accept to spend as much time as necessary and limit yourself to local transport, activities in Kazakhstan won't cost you much.

What's very local

Horses are an essential part of leisure activities in Kazakhstan, even if they have not yet developed to the same extent as in Kyrgyzstan, where they regained a place in everyday life since independence. Kazakhs are still mostly motorized, and nomadism has not returned as strongly as in neighboring Kyrgyzstan. Nevertheless, around Almaty and in the Altai Mountains, horse-riding opportunities are legion, and all local agencies will be able to offer you horse-riding options.

In Almaty, skiing has become popular thanks to the modernization of the Shymbulak resort, but it is still reserved for the wealthier fringe of the population.

At the other end of the country, on the Caspian Sea, water-based leisure activities are beginning to develop on the beaches around Aktau, but again remain confined to the wealthiest.

Your documents please

Travel conditions in Kazakhstan have eased considerably in recent years, particularly in the Altai Mountains, where until very recently permits were required that could take three weeks or a month to obtain. Today, the only restrictions apply to the regions bordering China and Russia. The Kurchatov and Baikonur areas also require special permits, but for different reasons (see these chapters).

To be booked

On the whole, given the low tourist numbers, you'll be able to improvise almost any activity without having to book too far in advance. It's a good idea to find out about any congresses or diplomatic meetings in Astana and Almaty, in case the hotels fill up fairly quickly. Around Navrouz and during pilgrimages, particularly to Turkestan, it is also advisable to book your hotel in advance.

As far as equipment is concerned, there isn't a plethora to choose from. If you want to charter a 4x4 or a horse, there's always an agency to find you what you need. But bikes, skis, jet-skis and snowshoes are rarer commodities. You'll need to contact an agency in advance, so that it has time to find the equipment and make sure it's available.

Main events

The country's cultural scene isn't exactly stellar, and there are no internationally renowned festivals. The biggest event of the year is the Oriental New Year, Navrouz, celebrated in every country.

Then there are the Nomadic Games, held every two years in one of the host countries (the Central Asian Republics, Turkey, Azerbaijan, etc.). As the 2024 edition was held in Kazakhstan, it is not expected to return there in a few years' time. More information on worldnomadgames.kz