Travelogues Kazakhstan
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Vacation in Kazakhstan : Highlights & Travel Tips
Kazakhstan is a vast and often under-the-radar destination that appeals to travelers looking for wide-open landscapes, Silk Road history, and a mix of modern cities and nomadic culture. As the world’s largest landlocked country, it offers remarkable geographic variety, from the futuristic skyline of Astana and the leafy, mountain-backed streets of Almaty to endless степpe, canyons, lakes, and snow-capped ranges. What makes Kazakhstan especially memorable is the sense of scale and contrast: you can explore contemporary architecture, Soviet-era heritage, traditional hospitality, and dramatic natural scenery all within one trip.
Key highlights include hiking and day trips from Almaty to places like Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, and the Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, known for their striking colors and alpine scenery. Travelers interested in culture can experience Kazakh cuisine, local markets, yurt traditions, and historical sites connected to Silk Road routes in the south, including Turkistan. Practical tips: distances are large, so domestic flights and trains can save time; learning a few words of Russian or Kazakh can be helpful outside major tourist areas; and packing layers is important because temperatures can vary sharply by region and season. Kazakhstan is generally best for travelers who enjoy independent travel, nature, and destinations that still feel relatively uncrowded.
Best travel reports from Kazakhstan
Two Days in the Kazakh Steppe
The landscape behind Almaty from the car window
Altyn Emel National Park - Day 1
The Altyn Emel National Park is located about 300 km northeast of Almaty. Before we even set off, I had decided to go there – a photo of the landscape instantly captivated me...
From the runway in Turkmenistan to the sunset at Kök Töbe: Arriving in Almaty
Since some have already asked for photos, I wanted to make sure the first blog post doesn’t take too long to publish this time: Leon and I have arrived today, after exactly 24...
Trip to the Kaindy and Kolsai Mountain Lakes
With a guided tour, exclusively occupied by Kazakhs and Russians besides us, Philipp and I traveled to a canyon and two mountain lakes. The tour itself was long, a bit chaotic,...
In two hours to 3200 meters: On the way in the Ile-Alatau Mountains
Just behind Almaty, only half an hour away by bus, begins the northern foothill of the central Tien Shan: the Ile-Alatau Mountains. From Medeu, a small winter sports town, a cable...
The Center
An amazing variety of therapeutic materials can be found in this facility. You can see a selection of them in the photos. I want to draw your particular attention to the first...
All roads lead to Almaty
During my time in Kazakhstan, I returned to Almaty again and again. It wasn't entirely by choice, as without a car it's difficult to stay away from the city for long. However,...
Goodbye Kazakhstan!
At the end of my time in Kazakhstan, here are a few facts and impressions about the country: Kazakhstan is enormous, ranking as the ninth largest country in the world by area...
Pass crossing in the Ile-Alatau Mountains
Motivated to start the hike (we actually wanted to take before-and-after photos, but we forgot in the end)
Kazakhstan
You can see it already at the border of Kazakhstan: how people from different parts of the world have moved and met here. You see the Turkic peoples, you see Persia, you see...
Arrived
After a long flight, with a layover in Astana, I landed in Turkestan, the capital of Turkestan. There, I was warmly welcomed by Gulnar, the head of the center, and her s
Altyn Emel National Park - Day 2
After a few cookies and a canned coffee for breakfast, we set out early on the second day towards the 'Singing Dune.' In the midst of the stony steppe of the national park rises a...
Atyrau - Schrotti shows us the finger
On Wednesday morning (September 4, 2019), we (Melanie, Jeoffrey, Markus, Rango, and I) start the day around seven. After a shared breakfast, we pack our stuff into the Moskvich...
Aqtau - No space on the train to the east
On Friday, August 30, 2019, I have breakfast with Melanie and Jeoffrey on the beach in Aqtau before we break camp and make our way along the promenade. We are accompanied by...
16th stage "Aktau"
After I had decided to continue my explorations from Aktau, I set off early this morning and headed towards Aktau in relatively pleasant temperatures. The journey was quite...
61. Stage 'Atyrau, Kazakhstan'
Today was different in one respect compared to the other days. Contrary to my original plan to cover the distance from Aktobe to Atyrau in two stages, I managed it in one go....
Kazakhstan
On August 15th, we crossed the Russian-Kazakh border. What I will never forget is the incredibly friendly expression on the Kazakh border officer's face when it was my turn to...
Charyn Canyon
Tuesday (29.10.2019) welcomes us with beautiful weather. The sun is shining and the strong gusts of wind from the previous evening have died down. So I take the opportunity to...
Oral - Aktobe
After a bath in the Ural River and breakfast, we set off to Merey-Bazar in the south of Atyrau on Monday, September 9, 2019. Once we arrive there, we take a stroll around the...
50. Stage 'Almaty, Kazakhstan'
After breakfast, it was time to say goodbye to Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan truly has a lot to offer in terms of scenery, and the good roads were great for the motorbike....
17. Etappe "Sartas Visitor Center"
Before I finally set off for Uzbekistan, I wanted to see Shakpag Ata, a mosque hewn into the rock. As the journey from Aktau and the return journey (80 km of dirt road) to...
Schymkent - last tour with Schrotti
For a change, on Friday morning, January 3, 2020, Schrotti has the opportunity to give a fellow sheet metal colleague a jump start. The car of the hostel manager didn't want to...
Almaty - DA Hostel
sunny morning in Almaty
Taras - Hotel Rosa
On Monday morning, September 23, 2019, we pack our seven things into Rango in the Moskvich and, after breakfast at the Dream Hostel, continue our journey. On the way out of...
Qysylorda - Türkistan - Schymkent
Am Donnerstagmorgen (19.09.2019) nutzen wir die Infrastruktur in unserem Gästehaus in Ayteke Bi. Dann bringt uns unser Vermieter gegen halb zehn frisch geduscht und rasiert zu...
Aral - Ayteke Bi
On Monday, September 16, 2019, we have breakfast on the shore of Lake Schalkar in sunny weather. Then, after our seven things have found their place in Schrotti, we drive to our...
Jembi - Schalqar
Tomorrow at Aktobe Reservoir
60. Stage 'Aktobe, Kazakhstan'
The remaining distance to Aktobe was again, with some exceptions, very well passable. I set off at 8:00 AM after having some coffee. I intended to have breakfast at a rest area...
15th stage "Shetpe, Kazakhstan"
Today's stage to Shetpe was over 150km through the Kazakh steppe. The temperature was 36 degrees, which was clearly noticeable. What was striking was the number of vintage cars,...
Stage 120: From Shelek to Almaty
The next morning, I headed to the nearest gas station on the highway in search of Wi-Fi. And luckily, I was in luck! Although my phone's display had a blackout at that exact...