Cost Overview and Places to Visit for Vacation in Kazakhstan
Cost Overview and Places to Visit for Vacation in Kazakhstan.
Vacation in Kazakhstan – Are you aware that Kazakhstan is one of the ninth-largest countries in the world? Yes, it is. This can be the ultimate reason why it is full of wonderful things and places that will make your vacation a memorable one. Kazakhstan, a Central Asian country and former Soviet republic, extends from the Caspian Sea in the west to the Altai Mountains at its eastern border with China and Russia.
Kazakhstan is a destination that many travelers have put on their bucket list. Start bag-packing today and go have a lovely time in Kazakhstan. Have an overview of what vacation in Kazakhstan means below:
Overview of Vacation in Kazakhstan
From astounding cathedrals to breathtaking landscapes, Kazakhstan is often overlooked by many tourists. However, within its borders, exquisite architecture and amazing historical landmarks adorn the country.
The ninth largest country in the world, Kazakhstan is home to over 131 ethnicities as well as a wide variety of religions, making the land enriched by culture and tradition.
This former Soviet republic is one of the most economically developed countries throughout Central Asia, generating 60% of the region’s GDP, primarily through its oil/gas industry. This allows for higher standards to be placed upon such accommodations as restaurants or transport.
As you travel through the glimmering metropolitan areas of its capital, Astana, and its most popular city, Almaty, you will be amazed at how Europe has influenced the country so generously, with its leafy avenues, chic cafes, glossy shopping centers, and partying nightlife. When in the cities of Kazakhstan, you will find the number of adventures you can have is seemingly endless.
However, if you are adventurous enough to move beyond the futuristic skyscrapers and dazzling towers, you will find yourself equally amazed.
Kazakhstan is known for its biodiversity, with its terrain acquiring flatlands, steppe, taiga, rock canyons, hills, deltas, snow-capped mountains, and deserts. Engage in your favorite winter sports at the Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort.
With a to-die-for view of Kazakhstan’s true beauty, feel free to skate and ski amidst the snowy mountaintops. If you venture to the bottom of these endless mountains, you will find the land is equally as beautiful, such as the Big Almaty Lake.
A stunning spot for a picnic, the Big Almaty Lake is located 28.5 kilometers south of Almaty, up to a gorge of the Bolshaya Almatinka River. Sit back and relax as you take in the full serenity of Kazakhstan’s natural world.
In Kazakhstan, you can use taxis, buses, trains, and planes to get wherever you need to go. If you are traveling within highly populated areas, taking the bus is a cheap way to get around.
Nevertheless, due to its popularity, be prepared for the bus to be crowded. It can also be quite inconvenient as none of the bus systems stick to a given schedule.
Language of Kazakhstan
The official languages of Kazakhstan are Kazakh with 5,290,000 speakers around the country and Russian which is spoken by 6,230,000 people. Both Kazakh and Russian are used on equal grounds.
Currency of Kazakhstan
The currency of Kazakhstan is called tenge and is sub-portioned into hundred amounts called tiin. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, trials were made by most of the citizens to adopt a common currency.
This was because some political leaders were willing to maintain the relationship between the country and the previous Soviet Union member states.
Climate in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s climate is extremely continental and very dry. It has cold winters and hot summers. The hottest month is July (August in mountain regions). In summer the temperatures average is more than 30 degrees Celsius (86 °Fahrenheit) and in winter the average is -20 °C (-4.0 °F).
Accommodation Cost
Accommodation is less of a problem for backpackers than it was a few years back. Most cities have a hostel nowadays, and Almaty suddenly has an unsustainably large amount of them.
For stylish travelers, it is a similar situation: the boom years have seen decent hotels constructed all over the country, and now that Kazakhstan is bust, prices are no longer ridiculous.
Home-stays are still overpriced for what they offer (but less overpriced thanks to the devaluation).
- Dorm bed: 4-10$/€
- Double in a cheap hotel/homestay: 15-30$/€
- Apartment: 15-40$
- Double in a nice/very nice hotel: 50-140$/€
- Double in a 5-star hotel: 150-200$/€
Food Cost
A decent meal and a drink in a simple local restaurant will cost around 3$/€. Fast food sells for 1-3$/€. At the market, you can expect prices to be around 30-70% of Western prices for basic foodstuff.
Don’t be afraid to try a slightly fancier restaurant, prices for a meal will rarely go above 10$. Upmarket restaurants charge 15 to 30$/€ for a meal.
Almost all mid-range restaurants offer a filling lunch special, which goes for 4-7$/€. Take advantage of it.
Transportation Cost
Transport to other cities is not expensive, seeing how huge the country is. Getting to remote destinations will weigh heavier on the budget, though, since you will need to take a taxi, a tour, or a rented car. Try to find travel buddies to split the cost.
- Train Almaty – Shymkent: 6-12$/€ (platzkart), 10-15$/€ (Kupe)
- Flight Almaty – Astana (budget airline): 35$/€
- Bus or metro in Almaty: 25 cents
- Taxi from the airport to the center in Almaty: 4$/€
Ticket Cost
How much does it cost to get into Kazakhstan? Depends on your nationality. 20-something countries get the visa for free. Another 30 or so pay around 35$/€.
If your passport is from the wrong neighborhood, you will need an extra letter of invitation, which will cost you around 80$/€.
If you are flying in and out of the country, expect to pay around (this is a very rough estimate) 500$/€ for a return flight from Europe or Asia.
Clothes to Pack
Make sure to stock up on the layers. If you plan on heading to Kazakhstan during the winter make sure to pack the winter essentials:
Warm, waterproof, fleece-lined boots big enough to wear with heavy wool socks, hat, waterproof gloves and thermal long underwear.
Top Places to Visit in Kazakhstan:
1. Lake Kaindy – A Natural Dam
Situated at an altitude of 2000 m, Lake Kaindy is a 400 m long lake. Due to an earthquake in 1911, an enormous landslide led to the formation of this lake. The natural calamity caused the occurrence of a natural dam in the gorge amidst spruce trees.
The forest submerged as water started to flood in the basin. The temperature of the lake goes up to 6 degrees Celsius maximum in summer. This lake is one of the best tourist places in Kazakhstan and should be included in every explorer’s bucket list.
2. Shymkent
If you are looking for a secluded place in Kazakhstan which is not crowded with tourists, then you must spend some time in Shymkent. You will find some of the cheapest places to stay which are away from the hustle and bustle on the streets.
3. Lake Balkhash
Located 600 miles to the east of the Aral Sea, the lake is a major source of hydroelectric projects in the country and a notable Kazakhstan places to visit. The lake is high and rocky towards the northern banks and one can spot plenty of ancient rock-cut traces there. Lake Balkhash once was a prominent place of breeding for marine life that included as many as 20 species of fish.
Over the period, some of the species died owing to the depreciating quality of lake water over the period. Sazan, sturgeon, eastern bream, pike, and Aral barbel are of the fish species reintroduced into the lake.
4. Nomad’s Land
Nomad’ Land is situated in the middle of the Kazakh steppe and beside the Ili River. It is a famous film set which was left abandoned after the shooting of the French/Kazakh movie, ‘Nomad’. You can visit this place to click some historical pictures and selfies at the place.
5. Astana
The wonderful capital city of Kazakhstan stands as the living example of the modernized nation and presents popular Kazakhstan tourist attractions.
With plenty of corporate business centers and multi-story buildings around, the architecture of this Bayterek Tower or visit Duman Recreational Complex city will mesmerize you for sure.
Catch the magnificent panoramic view of the Astana city from the top of the 105-meter tall which is the ultimate pit-stop for all the art lovers, there’s a lot to do in Astana.
CSN Team.
