10 great experiences to have in Kazakhstan

12.07.2024 - 17:12 / lonelyplanet.com

Jul 3, 2024 • 7 min read

Travelers seeking adventure, culture and something completely fresh should give Kazakhstan some thought.

This central Asian country today is leaning on its nomadic past and using its abundant oil reserves to carve out a bright future, especially evident in its futuristic looking cities. Travelers will find natural wonders like the sharp cliffs and towers of Charyn Canyon, and cultural treasures such as the statuesque stone markers called steppe balbals. 

Here are 10 top experiences any visitor should add to an itinerary for the ninth largest country in the world, uncrowded by visitors, for now.  

Cradled by mountains, Almaty holds the essence of Kazakhstan’s heritage within its neighborhoods. Walk through the bustling Green Market. Marvel at the intricate architecture of the Zenkov Cathedral. And feel the spiritual call from the minarets of the Central Mosque.

Outside Almaty, get back in touch with the elements of nature by hopping in a 4x4 to take in the 12-million-year-old rock formations of Charyn Canyon. Or envelop yourself in dense forest by driving down to the Kolsai Lakes region. For those drawn to the enigmatic, the “Singing Dune” in Altyn-Emel National Park offers an otherworldly symphony of nature’s own making. 

Winter travelers should give the runs at Shymbulak a try. There are daily buses from nearby Almaty that head to this resort, where it’s possible and affordable to rent skis, boots and even ski clothes. While modest by European standards, Central Asian ski areas like Shymbulak offer gentle slopes that are accessible to average skiers, and it’s easy to book a class, which start at 20,000 tenge ($43) per hour for adults. 

Ski touring is a thrilling winter adventure for those with experience in unpredictable terrain (route planning, navigation and the ability to read the snow are essential). Go with a guide who knows the snow in the valley you want to explore. Airbags and avalanche-victim detectors are musts as mountain rescue here is slow or non-existent. 

Kazakhstan has a vast network of trains, of varying vintages. If you’re planning to visit the cities of Almaty (the former capital) and Astana (the shiny new one), a night train between the two is the way to go. From your sleeping cabin or the dining car, you can watch the empty, endless steppe extend to the horizon. Note that seats in the dining car are highly sought-after, so arrive a few minutes before opening at 8am to grab one. Try the fried eggs or syrniki, a type of cottage-cheese pancake.

Planning tip: The bottom bunk tickets sell out first, because they allow passengers to sit up and lie down. Book at least a week in advance to get a bottom bunk.

Brash and glittering Astana – where flashy architecture springs