About Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is a Central Asian country and a former Soviet republic. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. The largest city, Almaty, is a significant trading hub and the old capital of the country.
Visa Information
For Indian nationals, Kazakhstan offers a visa on arrival, which is also gratis.
Day 1: Arrival
The trip was a spontaneous decision sparked by an offer from Shailendra Jain of Klassico Holidays. Despite the short notice, we decided to take advantage of the last-minute deal, appreciating the chance to explore a new country without extensive planning. Our journey to Almaty began with an early morning flight via Sharjah, as there are no direct flights from our location. We arrived in Almaty by the afternoon.
At the airport, we were greeted by Mr. Erkebulan, a university student who doubles as a chauffeur and guide to earn extra income. Communicating with him was an interesting experience since most locals speak Kazakh or Russian. We relied on a translator app to facilitate our conversations. We checked into the Ramada by Wyndham, where we had a chance to freshen up before heading out for dinner. Originally, Mr. Erkebulan planned to take us to Sandyq Restaurant. However, due to it being fully booked, we had to find an alternative and ended up at Tary Sai Dasturi. The restaurant offered a great dining experience, and I was eager to try local dishes. Upon learning that horsemeat is a local delicacy, I decided to give it a try. The horsemeat was well-cooked, though a bit bland for my taste. Sur, opted for a bread basket and green salad, which he found satisfactory. Their Apple Celery lemonade was the best.
After dinner, we took a stroll nearby to find an electrical converter. Despite having a converter with us, it didn’t fit the Kazakh switchboards, which have small, round plug points. We had to purchase a new converter from a nearby gas station to use our other devices. With the converter issue resolved, we returned to our hotel and settled in for the night, ready for the adventures that the next day would bring.
Day 2: Exploring Almaty
After a good night’s rest, we stepped out to explore more of Almaty.
Our first stop was the Green Bazaar, a bustling street shopping area perfect for picking up local goods and souvenirs. It offered a decent street shopping experience with a variety of items.
Next, we headed to Panfilov Park, named in honor of the Panfilov Heroes who defended Moscow against the German army in 1941 during World War II. Within the park, there is an eternal flame commemorating these heroes. We paid our respects there.
Also known as Zenkov Cathedral, this Russian Orthodox cathedral is located in Panfilov Park. Completed in 1907, it is made entirely out of wood without any nails, standing 56 meters tall and reputed to be the second tallest wooden church in the world. It is a stunning structure and one of the most beautiful churches I have seen recently. Visitors are required to cover their heads inside the church. The park is filled with beautiful greenery and various flower gardens, my favorite being the rose gardens. Unlike in India, where a single stem typically has a single flower, in Kazakhstan, even the larger roses grow in bunches, creating a beautiful sight.
Throughout our travels, we saw the Big Almaty peak of the northern slope of the Tian Shan range of Zailiysky Alatau. Behind it, we could see snow-capped mountains, which I heard were in China.
For lunch, we dined at Navat Restaurant, which specializes in Turkish cuisine. However, we opted for Beshbarmak, the national dish of the Nomads, consisting of horsemeat served with noodle dough made from flour. We also tried Chalap, a drink similar to plain buttermilk, which was refreshing.
Post lunch, we headed to Arbat Street, a vibrant area filled with shopping and entertainment. It would have been better to visit in the late evening when the street comes alive. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the various paintings on display.
In the evening, we returned to the Ramada in-house bar, where we ordered a fish platter and a cheese platter. The fish consisted mostly of cold cuts, which was interesting but not to everyone’s taste. The cheese platter included Tenili cheese, which we were trying for the first time—it was flaky and extremely thin, it looked like a bunch of cotton balls, we also tried Qurt, which looks like white chocolate truffle and made from strained yogurt.
After a fulfilling day of sightseeing and culinary exploration, we retired for the night, ready for more adventures.
Day 3: Mountain Adventures and City Exploration
After a good rest, we headed to Shymbulak Mountain Resort. We took a scenic cable car ride to reach the resort, situated at an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level in Talgar Pass. The altitude made me feel a bit dizzy, but the backdrop of snowy mountains and the breathtaking views made it worth it. At Talgar Pass, we visited a café designed like a yurt. A yurt is a portable, circular dwelling made of a lattice of flexible poles covered in felt or other fabric, traditionally used by Kazakh people. The interiors were aesthetically pleasing, and we enjoyed some tea before heading down as it started to drizzle.
Next, we headed to Kok Tobe, a mountain in Almaty that features Kók Tóbe Park, a popular recreation area. Kok Tobe is a major landmark and a favorite among tourists. We took photos in traditional Kazakh costumes, did some shopping, and enjoyed a ride on the giant wheel. The rose garden here was particularly beautiful, and we spent some time admiring it. The park also had a small zoo with a few animals and birds.
After Kok Tobe, we visited Republic Square and walked around, soaking in the city’s atmosphere. We then headed to First President Park, which features a beautiful fountain. We saw children playing in the designated area of the fountain, beating the heat and having fun.
After a day filled with mountain adventures and city exploration, we returned to our hotel and checked in at Samal Resort & Spa as I was extending for another few days
Day 4: Adventure at Oi-Qaragai Ski Resort
On my last day, we headed to Oi-Qaragai, a ski resort known for its stunning views and outdoor activities. To get there, we took an open cable car, which, while offering beautiful views, might not be suitable for those with a fear of heights due to its low and exposed path. As we ascended, we were treated to breathtaking views of the landscape below and spotted beautiful horses grazing around the area. The resort itself offers various types of accommodation nestled in the forest, adding to its charm. Oi-Qaragai has an amazing view and several activities for visitors. We took some time to explore the resort, soaking in the serene atmosphere and picturesque surroundings. It was an exhilarating experience and a great way to wrap up our trip.
Day 5: Natural Wonders of Kazakhstan
It was another beautiful day, perfect for exploring one of Kazakhstan’s stunning lakes, Kolsai Lake, located a few hours outside Almaty. My guide got his best friend who is a dental student and also a boxer. It was interesting to understand the life of youngsters in Kazakhstan The long hours of drive was worth every minute. Upon arrival, we prepared for a little hike to reach the lake. The effort was well rewarded with postcard-perfect views. The serene and pristine lake, surrounded by lush greenery and majestic mountains, was truly breathtaking.
On our way to Kolsai Lake, we encountered fields of silver forever plants, which almost looked like lavender fields. We couldn’t resist stopping to take some pictures of this picturesque scenery.
After enjoying the beauty of Kolsai Lake, we headed to Charyn Canyon. We spent the evening walking through this stunning natural wonder. While there is a buggy available for a 15-minute ride through the canyon, we found it easily walkable and opted for a leisurely stroll to take in the views. During our walk, we also saw the Ephedra plant, which is used in medicine and for making some local drinks.
After our adventures at Kolsai Lake and Charyn Canyon, we returned to our hotel and rested for the night, reflecting on the natural beauty we had experienced.
Day 6: Departure
he day of departure arrived, and I had the chance to meet the Klassico Holidays team. It was nice to have their company, making the journey feel a bit less solitary. The journey home involved taking stopover flights, which was a bit of a hassle. We finally reached home via Sharjah, marking the end of our memorable trip to Kazakhstan.