To travel to Kazakhstan, you will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay and a visa, unless you are a citizen of a country that has a visa-free agreement with Kazakhstan. You can apply for a visa at the Kazakh embassy or consulate in your home country or online through the e-visa system.
Once you are in Kazakhstan, you can get around by plane, train, bus, or car. The country has a well-developed transportation system, with good connections between major cities and towns.
Here are the top 20 popular tourist destinations in Kazakhstan, along with some transportation options and activities you can do there:
Astana – the capital city, known for its modern architecture and cultural attractions. You can take a taxi or the metro to get around.
Almaty – the largest city and the former capital, known for its mountain scenery and outdoor activities. You can take a taxi, bus, or trolleybus to get around.
Turkestan – a city with a rich history and important religious sites, including the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. You can take a taxi or bus to get around.
Shymkent – a city in the south of Kazakhstan, known for its parks and museums. You can take a taxi or trolleybus to get around.
Charyn Canyon – a natural wonder with towering rock formations, located about 3 hours east of Almaty. You can take a tour or rent a car to get there.
Kolsai Lakes – a series of beautiful alpine lakes in the Tien Shan Mountains, located about 3 hours southeast of Almaty. You can take a tour or rent a car to get there.
Kaindy Lake – a lake with submerged trees, located in the mountains about 3 hours east of Almaty. You can take a tour or rent a car to get there.
Baikonur Cosmodrome – the world’s first and largest space launch facility, located in the desert in the south of Kazakhstan. You can take a tour from Baikonur or Kyzylorda.
Altyn Emel National Park – a vast protected area with natural and cultural attractions, including the Singing Dune. You can take a tour or rent a car to get there.
Tamgaly Tas – a rock art site with thousands of petroglyphs, located about 3 hours west of Almaty. You can take a tour or rent a car to get there.
Borovoe – a resort town on the shores of Lake Borovoe, known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities. You can take a bus or taxi from Astana.
Issyk – a village in the mountains, known for its natural hot springs and cultural attractions. You can take a bus or taxi from Almaty.
Taraz – a city in the south of Kazakhstan with a rich history and cultural attractions, including the Mausoleum of Aysha Bibi. You can take a train or bus to get there.
Turkistan – a city in the south of Kazakhstan, known for its religious and cultural sites, including the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. You can take a train or bus to get there.
Ust-Kamenogorsk – a city in the east of Kazakhstan, known for its natural beauty and outdoor activities. You can take a train or bus to get there.
Aksu-Dzhabagly Nature Reserve – a protected area