Kazakhstan Travel Guide

Kazakhstan travel tips & advice

Because Kazakhstan is so large, visitors typically limit their adventure in this country to just a few areas. The largest city is Almaty, which has been transformed into a very European feeling city since the country became independent from Russia. In the northern part of the country, you’ll find Astana, which has also seen great growth in recent years, particularly since 1997, when it became the capital. Today, as Astana continues to add government offices and foreign embassies, it is rapidly transforming from a small provincial town to a major metropolis. By 2030, Astana is expected to have a population of over 1 million people. Kazakhstan’s oil industry has helped the country to thrive economically, making it the most modern feeling country that resulted from the Soviet Union’s breakdown.

In addition to enjoying the chic city of Almaty, you’ll also want to visit the Tian Shan or Altay Mountains, where you can hike or horseback ride through the scenic hills. Horseback riding is extremely popular in Kazakhstan, as the country has a very long equestrian history.

Near the Caspian Sea, you’ll find several underground mosques that are particularly interesting, and definitely worth a visit. The town of Aktau is in this region. Several years ago Aktau developed into a luxury resort area for Russia’s rich and famous. This beautiful resort area on the Caspian Sea is still a great place to visit.