Kazakhstan Itinerary and First Impressions
First Impressions of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan was my 50th country and one of the most interesting I’ve visited. These are my first impressions of Kazakhstan and where my Kazakhstan itinerary took me—Astana, Turkistan, Almaty, Aktau, plus day trips to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake, Kaindy Lake, and Altyn-Emel National Park.
These notes double as my on-the-ground Kazakhstan travel tips for first-timers. Here’s the Kazakhstan itinerary I followed and what surprised me most. But first, here is some practical information for first-time visitors.
Yandex Go: Getting Around
When visiting Kazakhstan, it’s essential to use Yandex Go. This app-based rideshare (similar to Uber) saves you from haggling with taxi drivers. Drivers can be aggressive at airports—one even tried to pose as my Yandex driver—so always confirm the license plate before getting in.
A typical Yandex ride from the airport to my hotel cost $4–$10. Tipping is built in; I usually added $3.
Yandex Go also rents scooters by the minute in Almaty and Astana. I used them often and never spent more than $3 per ride.
Russian/Kazakh Language
Many signs are only in Russian or Kazakh, with occasional English. Menus were hit-or-miss. I used Google Translate almost daily. Before my trip, I learned basic Russian phrases; while Kazakh is widely spoken, Russian is broadly understood, so it helped everywhere.
Flying Domestically
I crisscrossed the country with FlyArystan, a budget airline with good service and reasonable fares. I bought the top bundle each time (33 kg checked + 10 kg cabin) and selected any seat. Without a bundle, you’re limited to 5 kg cabin, and seats are random. Food and drinks are buy-on-board and reasonably priced. I used FlyArystan for most domestic legs and it was consistently on time.
Arrive two hours early for domestic flights. You’ll check in at a kiosk, then see an agent. English signage was inconsistent—I once stood 45 minutes in the international line by mistake.
The People
People in Kazakhstan were helpful but reserved. If you ask, they’ll help; younger folks were more likely to speak English, and Google Translate filled the gaps. Many asked why I chose Kazakhstan—there’s a clear national pride and strong work ethic. For fun context: I’m 6’5″ (196 cm) and didn’t see anyone taller than me during the entire trip.
Credit Cards vs. Cash
Tap-to-pay works almost everywhere. Locals often pay by QR; you can tap your card on the same terminal. The currency is the Kazakh tenge (₸); ₸500 was roughly just under $1 during my visit. Prices in Kazakh tenge (₸) are straightforward—tap to pay works almost everywhere. I withdrew cash twice—decline the ATM’s conversion so your bank sets the rate.
Shops disliked ₸10,000 and ₸5,000 bills and were hesitant to make change. I swapped big notes at my hotel’s currency desk and used them at grocery stores.
Street Crossings
I loved the countdown timers at crosswalks and on stoplights. Lights go green → flashing green → yellow → red, and I noticed intersections clear before yellow. Still, be careful—some drivers are aggressive and turn late. I never saw a turn on red, so assume no right on red unless indicated.
Kazakhstan Itinerary and First Impressions - Table of Contents
- First Impressions of Kazakhstan
- First Impressions of Astana
- First Impressions of Turkistan
- First Impressions of Almaty
- Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake & Kaindy Lake
- Altyn-Emel National Park
- First Impression of Aktau
- Final Thoughts on Kazakhstan
- Kazakhstan First Impressions Video
- Trip Costs & Kazakhstan Itinerary
- Kazakstan Tours and Packages
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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First Impressions of Astana - The Capital of Kazakhstan
When I arrived at Astana Nursultan International Airport (NQZ), the ATM was tricky to find. If you’re looking, it’s in the walkway between T2 (international) and T1 (domestic).
A Modern City
My first impression: Astana is ultra-modern, with bold modern architecture at every turn. If you are interested in full details about my time in Astana you can read my page highlights my Astana Self-Guided Walking Tour.
A City Under Construction
There’s visible transit and streetscape construction throughout the city (large light-rail and roadway projects). For Astana travel, short distances are easiest on foot or by Yandex scooter; for longer hops, Yandex Taxi is the way to go.
Mall Food Courts
I visited several malls; Mega Silk Way was my favorite, with English-language kiosks in many food-court spots. The Khan Shatyr tent-shaped mall is a close second—both are reliable for public restrooms.
Islam Predominates
Islam predominates, and non-Muslim visitors are welcome at mosques outside prayer times. Cover knees and shoulders and remove shoes before entering.
Bayterek Tower
Don’t miss the Bayterek Tower. The observation deck’s tinted glass can skew photos yellow; I improved shots by adjusting white balance to neutralize the cast.
Astana Final Thoughts
Overall, Astana travel is straightforward thanks to wide sidewalks, clear wayfinding, and reliable ride-hailing.
First Impressions of Turkistan - Part of the Silk Route
A lot of my followers confused Turkistan with Turkmenistan—different places! Turkistan was a Silk Road stop and is full of Turkistan mausoleums and mosques. I focused my attention on the Azret-Sultan Museum-Reserve (Historic Yasi/Turkistan Complex).
Extreme Heat
It’s extremely hot (often over 100°F). You can explore Azret-Sultan at night when the ruins are beautifully lit, but you can’t enter mausoleums after dark.
Silk Route Ruins
By day I visited the four main sites of Azret-Sultan: the Mausoleum of Rabiga Sultan Begim (free), the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (₸500 ticket), the Hilvet Semi-Underground Mosque, and the Eastern Bathhouse (each ₸500 at the door). Buying Yasawi tickets at the main office was straightforward; for Hilvet/Bathhouse, paying on-site worked best.
Getting Around Turkistan
Everything I wanted to see was walkable from the Hampton by Hilton. Some visitors rent golf carts if staying farther away. Yandex Go from the airport to city center was about $8.
Worth the Trip
Even with a last-minute schedule change, 36 hours felt sufficient to see the main ruins. Turkistan is unlike anywhere else I saw in Kazakhstan.
First Impressions of Almaty - Kazakhtan's Former Capital
From Turkistan I flew to Almaty, the largest city and former capital. It felt more European—think Zagreb or Ljubljana—and I used it as a base for two Almaty day trips.
Hills and Green Space
Unlike flat Astana/Turkistan, Almaty is hilly. I quickly learned to walk downhill and scooter uphill. Lanes for bikes/scooters are narrower and traffic can be heavy, but the parks and green space stood out.
“I’M” Loving It
Food courts abound, and I met IM Restaurant (Kazakhstan’s rebrand of McDonald’s). Otherwise I defaulted to Burger King or KFC when I wanted American fast food. I also had plenty of Kazakh food; one favorite was kuurdak (kuyrdak)—a hearty dish of lamb and potatoes.
Green Bazaar
I spent a lot of time shopping at the Green Bazaar. Be ready to negotiate the price to get the best deals. Also, I enjoyed walking through the giant food market which features a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, and meat.
Almaty Day Trips: Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake & Kaindy Lake
I did a 17-hour marathon Charyn Canyon tour from Almaty with Panda Tours for under $60—long, but excellent value that also included Kolsay and Kaindy. For those interested, I have a full page dedicated to my time visiting Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake, and Kaindy Lake.
The Drive
They look close on the map, but expect about 3.5 hours around the mountains. Charyn was much hotter than Almaty. Bring at least 1 liter of water (more is better).
Charyn Canyon
Charyn Canyon is spectacular. I walked the upper rim, then hiked down to the Charyn River. For ₸500, you can ride a Soviet-era cruiser so you don’t have to backtrack. If you book a Charyn Canyon tour, bring more water than you think you’ll need.
Kolsay Lake (Touristy but Pretty)
Kolsay Lake is gorgeous but crowded—think Banff/Jasper or Colorado Rockies vibes. Expect patience to get uncluttered photos.
Kaindy Lake (Less Crowded, More Adventure)
Reaching Kaindy Lake involves 12 km of rough track with river fords. We switched from the bus to a Soviet-era UAZ. From the parking area, you can hike, take a shuttle (₸500), or ride a horse (₸7,000).
Kaindy was a favorite: an earthquake-formed natural dam flooded a spruce valley, leaving tree trunks protruding eerily from the turquoise water.
Altyn-Emel National Park
If you want fewer crowds, head to Altyn-Emel National Park. I took another long day tour (with the wonderfully named Kazakhstan, Very Nice!) to the Aktau “Chalk” Mountains and the Singing Dune (Barkhan). I have a full page dedicated to to Altyn-Emel National Park for those who want an in depth guide.
Highlight of My Trip to Kazakhstan
This was the highlight of my Kazakhstan trip—the color-striped mountains and the low hum of the Singing Dune were unforgettable. Bring 2–3 liters of water; I took one and ran out fast.
A Dune that “Sings”
To make it “sing,” sit down and do a gentle butt-scoot—you’ll hear a pipe-organ-like hum.
Off-Roading
There’s substantial off-roading and very few other groups. If you get motion sickness, take meds beforehand.
First Impressions of Aktau - Kazakhstan's Coastal City
I finished in Aktau on the Caspian Sea. I chose it as my final stop so I could relax beside a body of water I’d never seen before.
Hot Coastal City
Summer temps can exceed 100°F; I lucked out with 90s and low humidity. It was relentlessly sunny, so I was glad to have a bucket hat, sunscreen, and a long-sleeved sun shirt.
Focused on the Caspian
Within city limits, most Caspian Sea access is rocky shoreline—great for wading more than swimming. I loved walking the Aktau Rockpath (the rock-cut promenade) toward Melovoy Cape and climbing the stairs for panoramic views.
Time to Head Home
From Aktau I flew back to Astana, then home via Warsaw, Poland. My flight on LOT Polish Airlines was almost seven hours on a 737. In Warsaw, I overnighted at an airport hotel before flying to Chicago the next day—happy to board a 787 Dreamliner for the long haul.
Final Thoughts on Kazakhstan
Overall, Kazakhstan was a fascinating place to travel. Fourteen days felt right for my plan. It’s the 7th-largest country by land area, so don’t try to see it all—pick the regions and day trips that excite you most. These Kazakhstan travel tips come straight from my two-week route across Astana, Turkistan, Almaty, and Aktau.
Kazakhstan First Impressions Video
For those who prefer to watch a video, here is this Kazakhstan First Impressions article in video format.
Trip Costs & Kazakhstan Itinerary
I routed Astana → Turkistan → Almaty (with Almaty day trips to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake, Kaindy Lake, and Altyn-Emel National Park) → Aktau on the Caspian Sea → back to Astana. The sequence is flexible—use this as practical Kazakhstan travel tips, not a rigid schedule.
Costs at a Glance (What I Actually Paid)
International flights: $1,225
Domestic flights (FlyArystan): $398
Tours/Excursions: $340 (includes Charyn Canyon tour + Kolsay/Kaindy, and Altyn-Emel/Singing Dune)
Hotels: $931
Total known spend: $2,894
Excludes small attraction fees, local transit/scooters, meals, and any items without a listed price.
Typical Local Prices (During My Trip)
Major city sights: ₸500–₸2,000 (≈ $1–$4)
Museums w/ photo pass: up to ₸6,000 (≈ $12.50)
City rides (Yandex Go): often $4–$10
Daily pocket money for incidentals: ₸5,000–₸10,000 (≈ $10–$20)
How to Use This Kazakhstan Itinerary
Fly into Astana for architecture and museums (Astana travel is easy with Yandex Go).
Hop to Turkistan for UNESCO-listed mausoleums.
Base in Almaty for mountains and Almaty day trips (plan 1 long day for Charyn/Kolsay/Kaindy, 1 day for Altyn-Emel National Park).
Finish in Aktau to see the Caspian Sea and coastal viewpoints.
Mix and match based on flight deals and weather.
Quick Money Tips
Pay by tap; carry small ₸ notes (big bills can be hard to break).
Decline ATM conversion for the bank rate.
Heat is real: budget extra water for canyon/dune days.
Book tours that bundle multiple stops—better value and less backtracking.
Recorded: August 2025. Prices reflect what I saw/paid and can change.
Kazakhstan Tours and Packages
I took two tours during my visit to Kazakhstan and explored the rest of the country on my own. For those who want to explore alone, it is absolutely possible to visit Kazakhstan without hiring a guide. I also know that many people prefer to be led around by a local guide. For those people, I have listed some tours in the section below that will enhance their Kazakhstan trip. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
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