Kazakhstan Travel - Discover the Diverse Land

Endless vast steppes, diverse national parks, magical lake landscapes, and vibrant cities full of hospitality - Welcome to Kazakhstan, the ninth-largest country on our planet. I will give you an insight into this mysterious country.

Kazakhstan is a land that awakens the adventurous spirit in us. The country of mysterious landscapes full of wild beauty captivates many explorers. At last year's World Expo, Kazakhstan presented itself to the world and showcased its hospitable and incredibly diverse face. Steppes, deserts, and mountains - to give you an idea of the largest landlocked country in the world, I will introduce you today to the highlights of the country.

The People

Luxury of Vastness

Exciting Cities

Outdoor Adventures

Unique Accommodations

There are only about 15 million people living in a country that is one of the largest and yet one of the least densely populated in the world. Kazakhs, Russians, Uzbeks, Azerbaijanis, as well as Georgians, Germans, and members of many other groups live in a country marked by vast steppes on one side and modern cities on the other. Common to them, besides the Russian language, which still, more than 25 years after Kazakhstan's independence, serves as the official language, is their legendary hospitality.

In Kazakhstan, as is tradition, guests are welcomed and hosted with incredible warmth. It is not uncommon for you to be invited home for dinner by someone you just met. A great way to get to know the country and its people even better. At such a meal, you will also have the chance to try the typical Kazakh cuisine. The national dish, Beshbarmak, consists of large pieces of meat and noodles, eaten by hand, usually served with mare's, camel's, or cow's milk. If you prefer something sweeter, you should definitely try Chak-Chak. This dish consists of fried dough strips eaten with honey. A delicious tea rounds off every meal.

In Kazakhstan, you can theoretically travel for days without encountering a single soul. While this may not sound very appealing at first, in our fast-paced and hectic world, it is pure luxury. While in many national parks and nature reserves around the world, you often have to share the moment with hundreds of other tourists and a dozen selfie sticks, in Kazakhstan you can savor the luxury of wide open spaces and tranquility.

Kazakhstan spans three time zones; there is much to discover!

There is much to discover: Burabay National Park in the north, with its picturesque mountain panorama and numerous lakes, often referred to as the Kazakh Switzerland, the Altyn-Emel National Park in the southeast, famous for its 'Singing Dune,' one of the country's most known attractions, and the magical Kaindy Lake, which enchants us with its clear waters, are just a few of the landscape highlights that await you in Kazakhstan. So, Kazakhstan is not only a true paradise for adventurers but also for hikers and other active vacationers. Depending on the time of year, you can expect extreme temperatures in Kazakhstan ranging from -40° to +40°, so before your trip, make sure to inform yourself about the climate zones and the best travel times! Generally, the summer months from May to September are considered a good time to explore both the cities and the nature.

Guru Tip: Be sure to take a trip to the Charyn Canyon. This canyon, reminiscent of the Grand Canyon in the USA, is one of the most beautiful places in the country and offers an unforgettable experience for those of you who love hiking.

In Kazakhstan, hermit-like steppes and vibrant cities are completely incompatible. Just yesterday you were in the wilderness, watching in awe as huge eagles flew overhead in search of prey, and today you find yourself in modern cities like Nursultan, the heart of Kazakhstan.

The history of the country is the history of its people.

Since a large part of the country's population lives in cities, the cultural and artistic life of the country is concentrated here. Buildings that blend tradition and modernity, interesting museums, and magnificent mosques allow you to dive into the history and culture of Kazakhstan. How about a visit to Nursultan, where EXPO-2017 took place? Also of interest is the metropolis of Almaty in southeastern Kazakhstan, which, with nearly 1.8 million residents, is the largest city in the country. Several museums, galleries, mosques, and cathedrals, such as the magnificent Ascension Cathedral, make Almaty a destination for an exceptional city trip.

The abundance of national parks already suggests that Kazakhstan is the perfect travel destination for anyone looking to enjoy an active holiday in beautiful nature. Besides hikers, winter sports enthusiasts also feel at home here, as snow-rich ski areas like Shymbulak near Almaty offer excellent conditions for winter sports from November to May. Ski lifts, ski schools, and hotels complete the offering, making Shymbulak an excellent candidate for winter sports events.

Tip: The legendary Silk Road runs through Kazakhstan, along which goods such as the namesake silk were transported from Asia to the Mediterranean centuries ago. You can hike a part of this historical route and embark on a small journey through history. You can also experience such an adventure on horseback. In the time when Kazakhs roamed as nomads, horses were invaluable for survival in the steppes. Even today, the love for horses is very prominent in Kazakhstan.

Glamping, the luxurious version of camping, is currently more popular than ever. You can sleep in a luxurious treehouse in Mexico, experience wildlife up close in a lodge in Africa, or stay in a traditional yurt in the steppes of Kazakhstan.

In yurts, it's cozy and traditional.

The special thing about yurts: They have been traditional dwellings of Kazakhs, Mongols, and Kyrgyz for centuries and are still often used today as mobile accommodation in the summer. Spacious yurts can accommodate entire families and are equipped in their luxury versions with comfortable beds and other amenities. Luxury camping in the vastness of Kazakhstan, under a starry sky that you can finally enjoy without light pollution from surrounding areas. Another plus: Glamping in Kazakhstan is not an unaffordable experience. You can spend a night in a yurt starting from just €9.

I have to admit, Kazakhstan has enchanted me! The unique landscapes and hospitable people make it easy to fall in love with this undiscovered country, and I can imagine that we will hear a lot more about Kazakhstan as a destination for adventurous explorers, nature lovers, and romantics in the coming years. Would such an extraordinary trip also be something for you? Check out my hotel search and start your own adventure soon!