Travel Guide Kazakhstan
Surrounded by two giants, China and Russia, the territory of Kazakhstan, the country of the steppe par excellence, is the ninth largest in the world. Its inhabitants, traditionally nomads, were forced to remain sedentary under Soviet rule, which had the effect of profoundly changing the appearance of the Kazakh countryside and cities, offering today to the traveller a multiple and contrasted face. Alongside the Kazakhs and the majority Russians, it is indeed a real mosaic of peoples who thrive between mountains and steppes, between deserts and coasts: Uighurs, Dungans, Tatars, Ukrainians, Germans, Koreans... It is not yet quite Asia, but it is already no longer Russia... The Kazakhstan tourist guide offers some useful guidelines for getting to the heart of this immense region. We will probably start the trip with Astana, a futuristic capital with exuberant architecture in the middle of the steppe, which seems to be the only one, with Almaty, the old capital, really looking like a city. It is at the cost of hundreds of kilometres of travel that we will reach Kazakhstan's other key points: from the timid architecture of Turkestan to the desolate visions of Aralsk, the ancient port on the Aral Sea, or, on the other side of the country, the wild and preserved landscapes of the Altai mountains. In Aktau, Semey, Karaganda we will discover the "Russian-style" beaches of the Caspian Sea, the ancient gulags, the houses of the great Russian authors exiled in the steppe... Қазақстанға қош келдіңіздер !
What to visit Kazakhstan?
Suggested addresses Kazakhstan
When to go to Kazakhstan?
When to go to Kazakhstan? The best climatic conditions are found in summer, especially if you plan to go up in the mountains, especially in the Altai. In the far south of the country, the heat can be overwhelming in summer, so spring and autumn are the best times. It should be noted here that, in general, the climatic conditions of the Kazakh steppe are difficult in winter. Astana's climate is particularly harsh, and it is no coincidence that the city was called "white tomb" at one point in its history. Winters are very long and cold: temperatures generally flirt with -20°C, made even more difficult by the strong winds that sweep across the steppe during this period. In summer, the city is crushed by heat, and not a single tree shades the streets of this capital, built in the middle of the steppes. In short, it is better to aim for the off-seasons to explore the streets of Astana, when to go to Kazakhstan? Provided you avoid the extreme south of the country, the best time to travel to Kazakhstan is certainly in summer.
Weather at the moment
Although the weather in Kazakhstan is continental, there are big differences between the north and the south. In the north, Kazakhstan has high temperatures in summer, but temperatures drop to -40°C in winter. In the south, the winter is milder, but the summers can be stifling. Astana's climate is particularly harsh, while in Almaty, summers are hot and often drenched by violent storms.
The national currency is the tenge. The immediate effect of the devaluation and continuous fall of the Kazakh currency is that a trip to Kazakhstan is much less expensive than in the past, despite the high inflation of recent years. In general, people spend much more in Astana and Almaty than in the rest of the country, both on accommodation and food.
French and Swiss nationals are exempt from visa requirements for stays of less than two weeks with only one entry, regardless of the reason for the stay. For all other cases, a visa issued by the Kazakhstan Consulate is required. Registration procedures are no longer mandatory; however, be sure to keep the Migration Card that is given to you upon arrival at the airport. The formalities for entering Kazakhstan may change from one year to the next, so it is advisable to check with the relevant authorities before starting your trip.
The visa can be obtained from the Kazakh consulate in your country within 8 to 10 days, but it is advisable to apply a little earlier. For French citizens, the visa application form must be downloaded from the Embassy's website (www.amb-kazakhstan.fr) and filled out on a computer.
Health conditions are quite good compared to the rest of Central Asia. There are good, well-trained doctors who are able to make a diagnosis, but they often lack the equipment. Although there are no mandatory vaccinations for travel to Kazakhstan, if you are going to visit remote areas of the country, it may be advisable to get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and typhoid.
Tap water is not drinkable in Kazakhstan, so you should always buy bottled water. Also beware of ice cubes.
The sun and the heat are enemies not to be underestimated. Dehydration can happen very quickly, especially if you suffer from a turista due to the abuse of cottonseed oil... On the other hand, it is easy to find bottled mineral water, carbonated or still, so try to drink regularly, especially in the evening and when you wake up.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Kazakhstan? Our advice & tips
Tour operators are still relatively rare to offer elaborate tours in Kazakhstan. Nevertheless, many of them have numerous contacts in the neighboring republics, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, where tourism is more developed, and can draw up for you a customized itinerary according to your desires and your budget.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationYou can fly directly to Astana or Almaty, but you should know that from Western Europe there are trains to Moscow. The most classical way connects Moscow to Astana or Almaty in 2 days. The train remains an economical and romantic way to travel, meetings are guaranteed and the atmosphere is often warm. Remember to take some food with you. Concerning the accommodation, it is advisable to book your room in advance in the two big Kazakh cities.
If you have the means, the plane is a good option to burn the stages considering the long distances to be covered and the poor road or rail service of certain localities (Air Astana). The bus network is particularly dense in Kazakhstan, and almost all cities and towns are served. Although slow, they always arrive at their destination. Trains are a little cheaper than buses, but not much faster. Those who are adventurous in terms of traffic rules will opt for a car.
