Kazakhstan is a huge country in Central Asia which is bordered to the north by Russia and to the east by China. It is the ninth-largest nation in the world and has amazing landscapes, engaging history and culture that can compete with any place on earth. Here are Kazakhstan travel tips you need before your trip.
Prepare to experience a truly unique culture by stepping off the typical tourist path. The ancient nomadic traditions of the countryside with the contemporary urban life found in cities like Almaty and Astana make Kazakhstan a distinct country.
Kazakhstan is known as the “land of the wanderers” and those who choose to explore it will be rewarded with the cities involving quite modern design and technology, stunning landscapes, and welcoming locals. The best part is that Kazakhstan is not a major tourist destination yet, so if you are looking for a unique and offbeat getaway; it ought to be on your list.
The best time to visit in Kazakhstan for general tourism and sightseeing is during spring (April, May) and autumn (September, October). During these months the country experiences the best balance between weather & tourism.
While during winters from late November to March is the ideal season to visit Kazakhstan if you are interested in skiing and other snow activities. However, to go trekking in the mountains you must go between June and September during the summer when the snow has melted.
Almaty, the former capital is one of the major players in terms of cities. It is the financial and commercial hub of the nation and is made up primarily of Soviet-era buildings. The Green Bazaar and the wooden Zentov church are also noteworthy attractions here.
Astana is another destination you should not miss a chance to visit while you are in Kazakhstan. Many of the ultra-modern buildings in this gleaming, brand-new capital were created by British architect Sir Norman Foster. The translucent, tent-like Khan Shatyr is one such building. The outside of this building is impressive while the interior is home to stores, entertainment options, boating river, monorail and even a beach resort.
The Bayterek Tower is another great option to explore. It is a tree-shaped exhibition hall and observation tower that is crowned with a gold mirror sphere. As Astana became capital of the nation in 1997 the building is made 97 metres high to symbolize the same. The Pyramid-shaped Palace of Peace and Reconciliation another Foster masterpiece has a convention centre, an opera theatre, and a museum inside.
If you are planning to Visit Kazakhstan from UK there is a lot more to do in Kazakhstan apart from visiting the above places.
Thousands of Iron Age rock carving scan also be seen in the Tamgaly area. Visit the Baikonur Cosmo drome in the country’s south where Yuri Gagarin, a Russian pilot for the Soviet Union became the first person to travel into space in 1961.
Visit the Ak-Zhaiyk Reserve, a wetland habitat for migrating birds, if you are a wildlife enthusiast. Pink flamingos, pelicans, spoonbills, and ibis may all be seen here and the river delta is home to the endangered Russian beluga sturgeon which is prized for the caviar eggs it produces. The diverse fauna of Kazakhstan also includes red bears, snow leopards and the Steppe Eagle which is the country’s symbol and can also be shown on the flag.
At the resort of Medeo in addition to hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and horse riding you can also ice skate on the highest skating rink in the world, which is located 1691 metres above sea level. The skiing season in Shymbulak, 25 km from Almaty lasts from the middle of November till end of March.
Another well-liked activity here is the sauna. Some contemporary sauna facilities have billiards tables and even karaoke equipment.
The local cuisine is often meat-centric in Kazakhstan. Beshbarmak, a stew mostly prepared from horse meat but rarely with mutton is a specialty for the majority of Kazakhs. It is typically served atop squares of flat spaghetti. Kumis, fermented milk of mere may be provided to you as a drink if you make friends with a local and go to their home for dinner (Kazakhs are quite hospitable). Camel milk typically takes its place in remote areas. You could be served a sheep’s head as the main course if you are treated like a particularly distinguished visitor.
Ride a coach or minibus to see more of the country’s remote areas or rent a vehicle with a private driver. The second option is more expensive but gives you more control over your schedule.
You can also opt for a train which is more convenient and faster option as it covers more distance in less time. The domestic network of the national airline Air Astana offers services to 13 locations around the nation for people who want to travel more quickly.
Here are the requirements you need to fulfill to get Kazakhstan visa from UK and explore this offbeat destination.
Alternatively, your trip dates and a confirmation of your reservation must be included in the invitation letter if you need a tourist visa. The invitation letter must be issued by a tour operator in Kazakhstan that is authorized to welcome visitors. You now must have realized that an invitation letter is mandatory for anyone planning to visit Kazakhstan from UK.
Obtaining the invitation letter and managing visa application yourself may be challenging. Our team of specialists has created a service that enables us to send you an invitation letter from a Kazakhstan-based company or travel agency that is especially tailored according to your requirements. This consumes less time is dealing with documents, standing in long que at embassies and dealing with administration.
We are authorized to assist you in obtaining this letter which you may then send to Kazakhstan’s ministry of foreign affairs for consideration of your visa application. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan reviews your documents before sending permission to the visa centre of the country where you will get a visa to Kazakhstan.
Fortunately, with us everything about the invitation letter is simple and quick. An invitation letter is often required for travel to Kazakhstan and will typically state that you are being invited by someone who lives there. The invitee acknowledges that you are coming to see them. As an authorized centre we help you get the invitation letter from a travel agency or an organization based on your reason of traveling to Kazakhstan.
Different types of Kazakhstan visa from UK are:
Kazakhstan visa typically takes 5-7 working days to process although in rare circumstances it might take a little longer.
Yes, everyone including minors must apply for a visa to Kazakhstan. You may easily add additional travelers to your visa application. All you have to do is fill out the application form for the accompanying child as well and submit it along with yours.
