Offbeat Kazakhstan: Why It Should Be On Your Travel Itinerary in 2018

When penning down your next bucket list destination, Kazakhstan is a destination which might not cross your mind at the first thought. The landlocked country of Kazakhstan had quietly kept off its iconic secrets from the rest of the world for long. If you are adjusting you compass to look for an offbeat destination, here’s why Kazakhstan should be one of the countries on your itinerary in 2018. 

A Glimpse into the Kazakh Landscape

Essentially a part of Central Asia, Kazakhstan shares majority of its area with the surrounding 5 countries and a very small portion to the West with Caspian Sea.

The Eurasian Steppe Roads once formed a route of the erstwhile Silk Road. The vast landscapes of colorful flowered grasslands with sloping mountains in the background is what simply defines a Kazakh countryside.

Kazakh and Russian are two major languages spoken in the country. A distinct combination of flat grasslands in the south and snow capped mountain peaks in the south blesses the land with breathtaking natural charm and beauty.

Official Website:- Visit Kazakhstan 

Why Kazakhstan Awaits?

An Emerging Destination For Indian Travelers

Kazakhstan is pouring in with travelers from more than 50 countries, including India, as the Kazakh government opens up its tourism corridors for the world.

Kazakhstan offers a wide variety of adventures from hikers to history buffs and luxury escapists alike. From the ancient petroglyphs in Almaty Region to the ultra-modern face of the Astana, Kazakhstan is all about a “Pathfinder’s Journey”.

Lucrative Visa Regulations for Indian Travelers

Little is it heard of getting 3 day free Transit Visa in any country. Yes, you read it right. Get aboard any Kazakh Airline such as Air Astana and fly in and out of Kazakhstan with a free 72 hours Transit Visa. The service came into effect from April this year and applicable until the end of the year.

72 hour transit visa for Indian Travelers.

Download the Visa Application Form here.

India-Kazakh Currency Exchange Rate

A while ago, I compiled a list of 30 Countries where the Indian Currency makes you richer. You are guessing right! the Indian rupee is 5 times the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT) which makes it a lucrative destination not only in terms of your vacation, but also your travel budget.

Check out the present currency exchange rates here.

They Love Indian Culture Too

The Indian culture has walked leaps and bounds beyond the country’s borders and a Mini India in Kazakhstan goes a long way to speak about it.

Indian Music, Arts, Yoga, Culture and Food are very much popular here as much as in the rest of the world.

Planning Your Trip

Flights To Kazakhstan:-

The easiest way to take your Kazakh trip is via New Delhi from where you can get the cheapest flights to the capital cities of Astana or Almaty.

New Delhi – Almaty – Uzbekistan Airlines / Return Flights – 28,405 INR / 21 Sep 2018 – 24th Sep 2018

New Delhi – Astana – Air Astana / Return Flights – 28,028 INR / 27th Sep 2018 – 30th Sep 2018

New Delhi – Almaty – Air Astana / Return Flights – 24,087 INR /  22nd Oct 2018 – 26th Oct 2018

New Delhi – Astana  – Air Astana / Return Flights – 21,759 INR / 25th Oct 2018 – 29th Oct 2018

When To Visit:-

The favorable weather to visit Kazakhstan vary over the periods between April and October. The best time to visit however is between July and August when the weather is at its best particularly for the hikers and nature enthusiasts.

The period between April to June and September to October are moderate periods when the weather is still better with a chill in the air.

Exploring The Country:-

North:-

Astana, the cultural center of Kazakhstan is famous for its historic and architectural galore, palaces, monuments, museums and art galleries. If you are one of those art and history buffs, Astana welcomes you with its open arms.

Hazrat Sultan Mosque is among the most captivating structures to visit in the town and is the largest in Central Asia. Not even a decade old, its construction goes back to the year 2009 and took the dexterous hands of more than 1500 artisans to construct.

Astana’s another crown jewel is the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. This majestic pyramidal building is 77 meters high and was constructed in the year 2006. The steel framed structure rises to 5 levels and is essentially serves as a venue for public functions and exhibitions. The internal lighting makes for a flamboyant evening lighting on the structure.

South:-

The erstwhile capital, Almaty is more popular and well-connected city of Kazakhstan. The flights land at the Almaty International Airport which is though a little far but well-connected with the mainstream city center.

One of the interesting places to visit while in Almaty is the Arbat Street, also known as the Silk Road. Broad walkways characterized with colorful towering structures with hordes of shops and restaurants define the area.

Medeu Ice Rink is the highest Olympic Stadium for Ice Skating. If you are planning your visit near the winters, then you can plan to visit this place as the weather gradually builds up to pour in the ice-skating fans from all over. Off seasons finds lots of fun and leisure ice-skating enthusiasts taking their first steps to ice-skating.

The Koke Tobe Mountains or the Green Hills is a picturesque backdrop in Almaty which are connected to one another with an aerial cable-way.  It is 13 km south of Almaty city and is the best way to take a bird’s-eye view of the Almaty city.

East:-

The characteristic desert profile of Kazakhstan can be witnessed in the Altyn Emel National Park located in the Eastern region and is spread over 4600 square kms near the Ak Tau Range. The park has a diverse variety of more than 1800 species of flora and fauna several animal species.

The picturesque Lake Balkhash is part of a landlocked basin with some part into Kyrgyzstan. The lake is the largest in Asia and 15th largest in the world.

West:-

The Western part of Kazakhstan adjoins the Caspian Sea and makes for a breathtaking off-beat holiday destination. Your love for the coastlines will increase manifold with your stay near the Caspian Port of Aktau. Aktau translates into the local language as the ‘White Mountain’, and the region is home to several local pilgrimage sites.

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