# Welcome to Kazakhstan > An independent travel guide to Kazakhstan, written for people deciding whether to go and for those planning a specific route. Covers destinations, culture, and the practical questions a traveler actually asks — how to get there, what it costs, when to go, and what to expect on arrival. The site is not affiliated with the government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, any tourism board, airline, or tour operator, and it is not a booking site. It is funded by advertising. Pages draw on publicly available information, official government and UNESCO sources, established travel references, and on-the-ground reports; figures such as distances, altitudes, populations, and price ranges are rounded and chosen to stay stable across recent years. Prices are given in Kazakhstani tenge (₸ / KZT). Every page carries a "last reviewed" date; the current content was reviewed in April 2026. Place names in Kazakhstan often have several accepted spellings, and pages generally give the common alternatives: Borovoe/Burabay, Shymkent/Chimkent, Turkestan/Turkistan, Kolsai/Kolsay, Aktau/Aqtau, Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan), Taraz (formerly Dzhambul). ## Destinations - [Destinations index](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/): Overview of Kazakhstan's regions and main sights, with guidance on seasons and how to combine them. - [Almaty](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/almaty.html): Kazakhstan's largest city, at the foot of the Tien Shan; attractions, dining, and mountain access. - [Day trips from Almaty](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/almaty-day-trips.html): Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, Shymbulak, Kolsai and Kaindy ranked by drive time, with which ones need an overnight. - [Astana](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/astana.html): The capital (formerly Nur-Sultan); modern architecture, museums, and cultural sights. - [Shymkent](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/shymkent.html): Kazakhstan's third-largest city and the best base in the south; Independence Park, the ancient citadel, bazaars, and day trips. - [Turkestan](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/turkestan.html): The UNESCO-listed Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, the country's most important pilgrimage site, plus how to reach the city. - [Taraz](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/taraz.html): Kazakhstan's oldest continuously inhabited city, on the Silk Road near the Kyrgyz border; the 12th-century Aisha Bibi mausoleum. - [Aktau](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/aktau.html): Caspian Sea city 22m below sea level, and base for the Mangystau region — underground mosques, Boszhira, and the Karagiye Depression, listed by distance. - [Lake Kaindy](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/kaindy-lake.html): The submerged spruce forest standing in turquoise water since the 1911 earthquake; access from Almaty, seasons, diving, and photography. - [Kolsai Lakes](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/kolsai-lakes.html): Three alpine lakes stacked up one Tien Shan valley; hiking times between them, homestays in Saty, and the border-zone rules for the upper lake. - [Charyn Canyon](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/charyn-canyon.html): The Valley of Castles and its red sandstone towers, about 200km from Almaty; day-trip logistics and the main trail. - [Big Almaty Lake](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/big-almaty-lake.html): Reservoir at 2,511m above Almaty whose colour shifts through the year; access, permits, and viewpoints. - [Altyn-Emel National Park](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/altyn-emel.html): The Singing Dunes, the striped Aktau Mountains, and wild kulan; permits and how to visit from Almaty. - [Shymbulak](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/shymbulak.html): Ski resort above Almaty at 2,260–3,200m; slopes, lift prices, season dates, and what it is like in summer. - [Borovoe (Burabay)](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/destinations/borovoe.html): National park 245km from Astana with 14 lakes, granite formations, and the country's best-known resort sanatoriums. ## Culture - [Culture index](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/culture/): Entry point to Kazakh traditions, cuisine, history, religion, and language. - [Traditions and customs](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/culture/traditions.html): The dastarkhan and qonaqasy hospitality code, greetings, dance, festivals including Nauryz, nomadic sports, and how much of it is still practised today. - [Cuisine](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/culture/cuisine.html): Beshbarmak as the national dish, horse meat, baursak, chak-chak, kumys and shubat; dining etiquette and vegetarian options. - [History](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/culture/history.html): Timeline from Saka nomads and the Silk Road through the Kazakh Khanate, Russian and Soviet rule, to independence on 16 December 1991. - [Religion](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/culture/religion.html): Islam, Orthodox Christianity, and other faiths; the religious holiday calendar and etiquette at mosques, churches, and shrines. ## Practical information - [Practical index](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/practical/): Overview of the practical topics below. - [Visa requirements](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/visa.html): Visa-free entry, tourist visa applications, and entry rules. - [Transportation](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/practical/transportation.html): How public transport works city by city and between cities, indicative fares in tenge, trains vs domestic flights, and where no scheduled service exists. - [Accommodation](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/practical/accommodation.html): Hotels, hostels, guesthouses, yurt camps, and apartment rentals, with price ranges. - [Money and banking](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/practical/money.html): The tenge, exchange, ATMs and cards, typical costs, daily budgets, and tipping. - [Weather and climate](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/practical/weather.html): Climate zones, seasonal temperatures, what to pack, and the best time to visit each region. - [Health](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/practical/health.html): Vaccinations, altitude sickness, medical facilities, pharmacies, and insurance. - [Safety](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/practical/safety.html): Crime levels, transport and wilderness safety, scams, and emergency numbers. - [Communication and internet](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/practical/communication.html): SIM cards, mobile operators, WiFi, and staying connected. - [Language](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/practical/language.html): Kazakh and Russian, the scripts you will see, and useful phrases. ## Planning - [Home](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/): Site entry point and overview of what Kazakhstan offers. - [Itineraries](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/itineraries.html): Day-by-day plans for 3, 7, and 14 days, with costs, transport, and accommodation notes. - [Activities](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/activities.html): Trekking, skiing, mountaineering, horseback riding, rafting, paragliding, and other adventure options. ## Optional - [About](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/about.html): Who the site is for, what it covers, editorial approach, review process, and funding. - [Contact](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/contact.html): How to reach the editorial team with questions or corrections. - [Privacy policy](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/privacy.html): Data collection, analytics and advertising cookies, and GDPR/CCPA rights. - [Cookie policy](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/cookies.html): Cookie categories used, including advertising cookies, and how to opt out. - [Terms of use](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/terms.html): Acceptable use, intellectual property, and limitation of liability. - [Disclaimer](https://welcometokazakhstan.com/disclaimer.html): Content is general guidance, not professional travel, medical, financial, or legal advice.