Every year, when April 30th comes, travel enthusiasts eagerly plan a memorable trip. For Pham Minh Thuy, an IT girl currently living and working in Hanoi, last year's holiday season took her to two mysterious and majestic Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The 15-day journey was not only a trip through beautiful landscapes but also a memorable experience of the people, culture and nature here.
Scenery on the road from Almaty to Saty
"April 30 is not the best time to go to Central Asia because many areas are still frozen and cannot be visited, such as Ala Kul, Son Kul... But in return, the weather is cool, pleasant, and the snowy mountain scenery at this time is truly spectacular," Minh Thuy shared.
The highlight of the trip is the trekking routes through blue lakes, red canyons and endless grasslands. Witnessing majestic snow-capped mountains or riding horses on vast grasslands is an experience that cannot be easily found anywhere else.
The highlight of the trip is the trekking routes through blue lakes, red canyons and endless grasslands.
Flight itinerary and things to note
Minh Thuy and her group of friends flew from Hanoi to Almaty with a transit stop in Delhi. The night flight helped the group save waiting time, although they still had to go through the "special" immigration procedures of New Delhi airport. "The most impressive thing was when we arrived at the Air Astana check-in counter, there were more staff than passengers. They were very friendly and even led us to the security gate," she recounted.
Regarding flight costs, a total of 4 legs (round trip) costs about 15 million VND. If you hunt for sale tickets early, the price can be significantly reduced. A small note is that Kazakhstan exempts visas for Vietnamese, but if you transit in India, you still need to apply for a transit visa.
Jyrgalan
Peach blossoms on the road from Jyrgalan to Karakol
Days of wandering on majestic roads
During the 15-day trip, 9 days were spent on a land tour booked through Apple Hostel Bishkek, priced at $850/person including a car, accommodation, meals and some activities such as horse riding and watching eagle shows. "The cost is reasonable and suitable for budget backpackers like us. Depending on your conditions and needs, you can choose a suitable land tour. Although the drivers do not speak English, they are extremely enthusiastic, communicating mainly through body language, which is sometimes an interesting experience. The four of us fit perfectly in a 7-seat off-road vehicle. During the whole trip, I found the vehicles to be quite beautiful, high-quality, and very comfortable to sit in," Thuy recounted.
The road to Altyn Arashan
Russian van takes tourists to Altyn
Thuy's specific itinerary ranges from the emerald green lakes of Kolsai, Kaindy, to majestic canyons like Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon. One of the most memorable moments of the trip was when the group trekked from Kolsai 1 to Kolsai 2. She described: "In the morning, Kolsai 1 is as blue as a gem, but in the afternoon the lake water turns into a magical blue. The 8km trek is quite challenging, but in return, the beautiful scenery makes all fatigue disappear."
Kolsai 1 morning
Road from Kolsai 1 to Kolsai 2
Must-see destinations
Kaindy Lake is one of Kazakhstan’s most impressive natural wonders. The clear blue lake with trees rising from the water creates a mystical scene, like a submerged forest. Not far away, Charyn Canyon appears with towering red cliffs, like the Grand Canyon of Central Asia, where spectacular trails lead visitors deep into the canyon.
Charyn Cayon from above
Charyn Canyon appears with towering red cliffs, likened to the Grand Canyon of Central Asia
Another memorable stop was Altyn Arashan, a hot spring resort located in the middle of snowy mountains, where the group had to travel by legendary Russian vans on a bumpy road. "Altyn Arashan is the most beautiful place I found on the journey, even though when I was there, there was no phone signal or wifi, and there was a lack of electricity. At night, if I wanted to charge my phone, I had to bring it to the home's dining room to plug it in because there was no electricity in the bedroom. But this place feels extremely beautiful and healing. If I go back, I hope to have 2 days in Altyn, just eating, lying on the grass, watching the stream, and walking around," Thuy shared.
Tiny in the middle of Altyn Arashan
Thermal baths at Altyn
Coming to Kyrgyzstan, one of the experiences that cannot be missed is horse riding across the steppe in Chon Kemin. This land offers poetic scenery with green grasslands stretching, herds of cattle grazing leisurely and endless blue skies. Horse riding here is not just a recreational activity, but also a way to feel the life of the Central Asian nomads.
Eagle Show
Horse riding in Chon Kemin
Things to note when traveling to Central Asia
When traveling to Central Asia, staying connected is important. Beeline SIMs are a better choice than Airtel due to their reliable coverage, especially when traveling out of the city. Also, the weather in late April can fluctuate greatly, from freezing cold in the morning, to scorching hot noon, to freezing cold in the evening, so pack appropriate clothing.
Regarding transportation, drivers in Kyrgyzstan do not speak English but are extremely enthusiastic, caring for every little thing as if they were leading family members. They take guests to eat, ask questions constantly, creating a bond even though they mainly communicate through body language. "On the way, we saw beautiful peach blossoms blooming, so we asked to stop and take pictures for an hour, but he was still very happy, then took us to lunch, exchanged money, bought SIM cards, etc...", Thuy said. However, in some remote areas, sanitary conditions may not be as expected. For example, at Altyn Arashan, the toilet is dozens of meters away, with quite rudimentary facilities, requiring visitors to prepare before coming here.
The road from Karakol to Jyrgalan
Karakol
Central Asia journey is not only about beautiful destinations but also about cultural experiences and memorable moments with your companions.
For Thuy, the Central Asian journey is not only about beautiful destinations but also about cultural experiences and memorable moments with her companions. "Kazakhs and Kyrgyzs may look cold, but when you meet them, they are very enthusiastic and hospitable. The stops along the road, the drivers inviting you to drink tea, or the simple but warm meals at the homestay made me feel much closer to Central Asia," she said.
And if you are looking for a truly different trip on April 30 this year, why not try setting foot in this fascinating land?
