Kazakhstan

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General Travel Guide: The Infinite Greatness of Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a geographical colossus where the immensity of the horizon takes on absolute meaning. Located in the heart of Eurasia, this infinite territory saw great nomadic hosts ride for centuries and hosted flourishing stops on the Silk Road. Today, Kazakhstan seduces the traveler with fascinating contrasts: from the architectural audacity of Astana, erected as a futuristic oasis in the middle of the steppe, to the wooded and bohemian elegance of Almaty at the foot of the Tian Shan giants. To the east and south, mesmerizing blue lakes and spectacular canyons rival in beauty the lunar landscapes of Mangystau in the west. Traveling to Kazakhstan is to enter the freedom of open space, let yourself be embraced by the serene warmth of yurt life and discover one of the most monumental, hospitable and unknown destinations in Central Asia.

Capital

Astana

Population

18.776.707

Langue

KK, Ruso

Sites du patrimoine de l'UNESCO

Indices de voyage

Scores basés sur des données réelles de 0 à 100

Indices de voyage

Tourisme

75/100

Infrastructures et attractions touristiques. Basé sur le nombre d’attractions, la qualité des services et des installations pour les visiteurs.

Sécurité

72/100

Niveau de sécurité pour les touristes. Basé sur les statistiques de la criminalité, la stabilité politique et la sécurité personnelle.

Frais de déplacement

40/100

Indice du coût moyen des déplacements. Basé sur l'hébergement, la nourriture, le transport et les activités. Score inférieur = moins cher.

Transport

62/100

Qualité du système de transport. Basé sur les transports publics, les infrastructures routières et les options de mobilité.

Internet

73/100

Qualité et disponibilité de la connexion Internet. Basé sur la vitesse du haut débit et la couverture WiFi publique.

Gentillesse

80/100

Hospitalité envers les touristes étrangers. Basé sur des enquêtes auprès des voyageurs et des études sur le comportement social.

Environnement

66/100

Qualité environnementale et durabilité. Basé sur la qualité de l’air, la gestion des déchets et les politiques écologiques.

Le meilleur de Kazakhstan

The impressive Charyn Canyon and its rock formations in the Valley of Castles

Kaindy Lake and its submerged fir forest emerging from turquoise waters

Kolsai Lakes, freshwater pearls surrounded by lush alpine forests in Tian Shan

The avant-garde and futuristic architecture of Astana (Baiterek Tower, Jan Shatir and Pyramid of Peace)

Almaty, cultural capital with views of snow-capped mountains, lush parks and signature cafes

The alpine resort of Shymbulak and the legendary Medeu high-mountain ice skating rink

The Martian landscapes, white chalk cliffs and plateaus of the Mangystau Peninsula (Bozzhyra)

The Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, a Timurid masterpiece and World Heritage Site

Altyn-Emel National Park, with its singing dunes and the polychrome clay mountains of Aktau

The traditional Beshbarmak tea ceremony and banquet in a Kazakh yurt

Expériences uniques

Marvel at the Submerged Forest of Lake Kaindy

Born after an earthquake in 1911 that caused a natural landslide, Lake Kaindy is a visual marvel at 2,000 meters above sea level. From its icy, turquoise waters emerge the dry, upright trunks of Tian Shan fir trees, whose submerged branches remain intact like petrified needles underwater, creating a fantasy underwater and terrestrial landscape.

Explore the Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon

Popularly known as the 'little brother of the Grand Canyon', this gorge eroded by the Charyn River over millions of years extends for more than 150 km. Walking along the Valley of Castles trail between columns, towers and arches of reddish sandstone that shine with golden tones at sunset culminates in a refreshing oasis on the banks of the river.

Pilgrimage to the Timurid Jewel of Turkestan

Turkestan is the spiritual and religious center of the country. There stands the impressive Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, commissioned by the conqueror Tamerlane in the 14th century. Its fluted turquoise domes, enameled sacred geometry mosaics and gigantic bronze cauldron ('Tai-Kazan') are direct precursors to the great masterpieces of Samarkand.

Mangystau Extraterrestrial Landscapes Expedition

On the remote Mangystau peninsula, in the far west of the country, nature defies the imagination. The Bozzhyra canyon and plateau display colossal white limestone fangs that rise above dried prehistoric seabeds, while the Valley of the Balls (Torysh) surprises with thousands of giant stone spheres of enigmatic origin scattered across the desert.

Ride the Medeu Cable Car to the Heights of Shymbulak

Just minutes from the center of Almaty, the world's highest open-air ice skating rink, Medeu (1,691 m), gives way to a panoramic cable car that ascends to the modern Shymbulak ski resort and the Talgar Pass at more than 3,200 meters above sea level, offering views of alpine glaciers and mountain restaurants.

Discover the Futuristic Architecture of Astana

Walking through the monumental axis of Astana is a unique visual experience designed by renowned architects such as Norman Foster and Kisho Kurokawa. Climbing the golden sphere of the Baiterek Tower, gazing at the Hazret Sultan Mosque and exploring the Jan Shatir entertainment center – the world's largest transparent tent – reveals the nation's avant-garde ambition.

Nomadic Steppe Cuisine and Central Asian Flavors

Kazakh cuisine is the direct testimony of centuries of nomadic life in an environment with an extreme continental climate. Designed to provide energy and strength during long winters and travel, its cuisine worships grass-fed meat (horse, lamb and beef), fermented mare and camel dairy products, artisanal doughs and boundless hospitality around the 'Dastarkhan' (the traditional table).

Meat as a Central Axis and Symbol of Honor

On the Kazakh table, masterfully cooked fresh meat is the mainstay of every celebration. The best cuts of lamb and horse meat are reserved to entertain distinguished guests according to strict ancestral rules of hierarchy and courtesy.

The Dastarkhan and Milk Tea Ritual

No meeting begins or ends without tea. Served in deep bowls ('pialas') with evaporated milk or thick cream ('kaimak'), it is accompanied by sweets, dried fruits, fresh butter and freshly fried breads that completely cover the table.

Plats Iconiques

Beshbarmak

The undisputed national dish of Kazakhstan, whose name means 'five fingers' because it was traditionally eaten with the hand. It consists of thin sheets of fresh pasta cooked in boiling meat broth, covered with tender pieces of boiled horse or lamb meat and onion poached in broth seasoned with black pepper ('chyk').

Kazy

The most select traditional horse meat sausage, made by hand by filling natural casing with very tender rib meat, seasoned exclusively with salt, garlic and plenty of black pepper, and then boiled or slowly smoked.

Baursak

The festive bread par excellence and supreme symbol of welcome. They are small cubes or spheres of yeast dough fried in cauldrons with very hot oil until they are golden and crispy on the outside and extraordinarily tender and hollow on the inside.

Kuyrdak

Hearty and quick stew traditionally made after the slaughter of the animal, sautéing fresh pieces of liver, heart, kidneys and lamb or beef with onion, lamb tail fat and potato cubes.

Surprise

Concentrated, hot and deeply aromatic meat broth obtained by slow cooking lamb or beef with simple herbs and spices, served in ceramic bowls to accompany or close the Beshbarmak.

Manty Kazakhs

Large parcels of thin dough steamed in special tiered steamers ('kaskan'), filled with knife-minced lamb or beef with lots of juicy onion, or sweet pumpkin in autumn, accompanied by sour cream or spicy tomato sauce.

Boissons typiques

Kumis (Kymyz)

The ancient nomadic drink par excellence, made from freshly milked mare's milk and fermented in leather wineskins. It is slightly effervescent, with a very particular acidic and smoky touch, famous for its recognized medicinal and energetic properties.

Shubat

Fermented camel milk typical of the desert regions of the southwest. It has a denser, whiter and creamier texture than kumis, with a slightly sour flavor and a very high content of vitamins and minerals.

Kazakh Tea with Milk (Shay)

Very strong infused black tea served mixed with hot whole milk or heavy cream ('kaimak'). It is poured in small quantities into the piala so that it never gets cold and the host can continually refill it as a sign of affection.

Airan

Refreshing dairy drink based on fermented cow's milk diluted with water and a touch of salt, consumed cold during sunny days in the steppe to facilitate digestion.

Desserts traditionnels

Zhent

Traditional national sweet of nomadic origin made by grinding toasted millet grains ('tary') mixed with sugar, sweet raisins, melted butter and dried cottage cheese, pressed into blocks that melt slowly in the mouth.

Kurt

Small spheres or hard cubes of cheese fermented and dehydrated in the sun with plenty of salt. It was the indispensable provision of nomadic shepherds due to its infinite conservation capacity during months of travel.

Irimshik

Traditional sweet cheese with a reddish or golden hue obtained by boiling fresh milk for hours until the natural sugars slowly caramelize, served crumbled with honey or nuts.

Balkaymak

Delicious hot creamy dessert made by gently cooking fresh milk cream ('kaimak') with flour and pure mountain flower honey until achieving a consistency similar to sweet toffee.

Que voir par thème

Given its continental scale, Kazakhstan is home to an astonishing diversity of landscapes: from alpine peaks and glacial lakes to endless steppes, chalk deserts and avant-garde cities.

Alpine Lakes and Tian Shan Peaks

The southeast region around Almaty is an alpine paradise. The three Kolsai Lakes staggered between forested valleys, the unusual submerged forest of Lake Kaindy and the Great Lake of Almaty offer hiking and camping routes surrounded by peaks that exceed 4,000 meters in altitude.

Canyons and Geological Wonders of the Desert

The Charyn Canyon dazzles with its rock formations sculpted by the wind. In Altyn-Emel National Park, the 'Singing Dune' emits a low, organ-like sound as sand moves with the wind, while Aktau's clay mountains display million-year-old layers of white, red and ocher.

Mangystau and the Extraterrestrial Landscapes of the Caspian Sea

The western Mangystau peninsula is one of the most unusual regions on the planet. The Ustyurt Plateau, the white amphitheater of Bozzhyra, the underground rock-cut mosques such as Beket-Ata and the port city of Aktau on the banks of the Caspian constitute a true geological expedition.

Metropolis: The Avant-garde of Astana and the Bohemia of Almaty

Astana dazzles as the planned capital of the 21st century with its illuminated skyscrapers, bridges over the Ishim River and monumental cultural centers. Almaty, the former capital, retains a welcoming charm with its wide tree-lined avenues, the colorful Zenkov Cathedral (built entirely of wood without nails) and the lively Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazar).

The Silk Road and Islamic Heritage in the South

The historic south preserves the traces of trading caravans. Highlights include the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi in Turkestan, the archaeological ruins of the legendary city of Otrar (razed to the ground by Genghis Khan and birthplace of the philosopher Al-Farabi), and the ancient monuments of Taraz and Shymkent.

Nomadic Tradition, Falconry and Altai Forests

In cultural complexes and mountain villages such as Saty or the Huns ethnographic village you can witness the taming of golden eagles with 'berkutchi' hunters and horse races. In the far northeast, Katon-Karagay National Park in the Altai Mountains offers pristine larch taigas and secluded glacial lakes.

Conseils de voyage

Giant Distances and Internal Transportation

Kazakhstan is huge. To move between distant regions (such as Astana, Almaty, Shymkent or Aktau) it is most efficient to use internal flights with local airlines such as Air Astana or SCAT. For intermediate journeys, the railway network has modern high-speed trains (Talgo) that are very comfortable and safe with sleeping cars.

Currency and Payments (Kazakh Tenge and Cards)

The official currency is the Kazakh Tenge (KZT). The use of credit cards and mobile payments via QR code is extremely widespread in shops, restaurants and taxis in all cities. However, for traveling to rural mountain areas (such as Kolsai or Kaindy) and expeditions in Mangystau, it is essential to carry enough cash.

Language and Communication

The state language is Kazakh, while Russian is officially and universally spoken as a language of interethnic and everyday communication throughout the country. English is common among the youth and hospitality sector of Astana and Almaty, but carrying a Russian/Kazakh translation application downloaded offline is a great help in rural areas.

Extreme Weather and Equipment

Kazakhstan has a very marked continental climate. Summers can be hot in the steppe and winters extremely cold (Astana is the second coldest capital in the world). If you visit mountain areas in summer, wear layered clothing and trekking shoes with good grip, as the weather in Tian Shan changes quickly.

This guide is your starting point to delve into the infinite greatness of Kazakhstan. From the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan and the red canyons of Charyn to the singing dunes and sparkling avenues of Astana and Almaty, this country will captivate you with the immensity of its landscapes and the nobility of its nomadic hospitality. Plan your routes in advance, prepare to travel fascinating distances and let yourself be surprised by the heart of Eurasia. Ak jol (Have a good trip)!

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