Kazakhstan stretches from Siberia to the deserts of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and from the Caspian Sea to China. It is ranked as the 9th largest country in the world and has a lot to offer. The word Kazakhstan literally translates to “land of wanderers”.
Kazakhstan, known as the “heart of Europe and Asia”, has always attracted tourists from all over the world because of its mysterious lands, amazing nature, wildness and unique nomadic cultural heritage. From arid plains, endless steppes to dusty desert villages, where you will see more camels than people. Traveling in Kazakhstan will surprise you on every road.
On the border route from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan through the Kegen border gate is a scene of extremely peaceful and simple countryside.
Explore the top destinations in Kazakhstan
Mr. Tuan, Co-founder of Silkroad Adventure Travel, currently living in Hanoi, shared with Travellive his 7-day journey to explore the land of Kazakhstan. According to him, Kazakhstan is a large country with many attractions. During his one-week trip here, he visited many famous places in Kazakhstan such as Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon...
Spending 7 days exploring the center of the Asia-Europe continent, Anh Tuan had the opportunity to admire majestic nature and have interesting experiences.
“Every place I have been to has its own beauty, from the blue lakes reflecting the snow-capped mountains to the vast, dry deserts or the majestically shaped canyons. A country that has given me many experiences. Among them, the most impressive destination for me in Kazakhstan is probably Kolsai 2 Lake,” said Mr. Tuan.
After trekking about 8 km from Kolsai Lake 1, Kolsai Lake 2 appeared before Anh Tuan's eyes with the most natural beauty. The clear lake reflected the straight spruce trees, a scene that he had only seen in movies before.
Green covers the mountains and forests in Kazakhstan
Kolsai Lake
The first destination in Kazakhstan is the small, peaceful and poetic village of Saty. From here, Anh Tuan drove to Kolsai 1 Lake and trekked to Kolsai 2 Lake. Kolsai Lake is a combination of 3 very famous lakes in Kazakhstan: Kolsai 1, Kolsai 2 and Kolsai 3. Kolsai 3 Lake is not allowed to be climbed because it is located in the border area with Kyrgyzstan. The trekking route from Kolsai 1 to Kolsai 2 is only 8 km long, but there are many sections that are quite difficult to climb because of the steep slope and he had to return the same day, so Anh Tuan had to trek a distance of 16 km.
“Although it was quite tiring, after seeing these two lakes, they were really beautiful and all the previous efforts were worth it,” he said.
The water in Kolsai Lake is clear all year round, the lake surface is like a mirror reflecting the blue of the sky.
Big Almaty Lake
One of the must-see destinations when coming to Kazakhstan is Big Almaty Lake. It is about a 15 km drive from the center of Almaty city and a trekking trail about 10 km further. Big Almaty Lake with its turquoise water reflects the snow-capped mountains and pine forests. The scenery appears like a poetic fairy tale that fascinates everyone. To get here, you can go by bus or taxi. If you use the bus, you will have to walk about 5 km to the gate and from the gate to the lake, you will have to hike/trek about ten more kilometers.
Although trekking Big Almaty Lake is a bit strenuous, this is a prominent tourist destination in Kazakhstan in general and the Almaty region in particular, not to be missed.
The color of Big Almaty Lake changes depending on the time of year, but the turquoise shade is said to be the brightest and most beautiful.
Lake Kaindy
Lake Kaindy is located in the south of Kazakhstan, with an altitude of 2000 m and a length of 400 m. The lake was formed in 1911 after a huge limestone landslide, creating a natural dam in a canyon covered with spruce trees.
The withered tree trunks protruding from the water resemble the masts of sunken ships. The lake is nearly 30 meters deep and the water is so clear that you can even see the needles on the submerged tree trunks.
Charyn Canyon
The canyon is made up of thin layers of red sedimentary rock, said to be similar to the Grand Canyon in the US but with a smaller area. Standing in front of the amazing shapes, Anh Tuan and the members of the group were amazed by the majestic beauty of nature here. Over thousands of years, wind, water and soil have formed wonderful stone sculptures. To get here, you can travel by taxi, bus from Almaty or tour vehicle.
Charyn Canyon with thinly layered red sedimentary rocks
“The most memorable memory in Kazakhstan was a very rare and unpredictable situation. At that time, Kazakhstan was in an oil crisis due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war. No gas station in Kazakhstan had oil to sell at that time. The car we rented from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan was a diesel car. Therefore, the car had to turn back to Kyrgyzstan and could not continue the journey. Fortunately, he and the members of the group later found another driver in Kazakhstan to continue the journey,” Anh Tuan recounted.
Pocket tips for Vietnamese tourists when coming to Kazakhstan
Mr. Tuan added: “In Kazakhstan or Central Asia in general, tourism is still not focused and developed. The language in this region is also rarely used in English, but mainly in Russian and local languages. Therefore, you should find a reputable tour agency to have the best experience when visiting this land. Currently, Silkroad Adventure Travel is one of the few travel agencies specializing in this route.”
A village in rural Kazakhstan
Besides, to have a complete trip to explore Kazakhstan, tourists also need to note a few things.
Airline tickets:In Vietnam, there are direct flights from Cam Ranh Airport to Almaty City, Kazakhstan. In addition, you can take connecting flights to India for more options. However, you need an Indian E-visa to enter.
Entry procedures:Vietnamese citizens are exempt from visa when entering Kazakhstan. Entry procedures are simple and quick, similar to those in other Southeast Asian countries. 4G SIM cards can also be purchased at the airport.
Endless grassland
How to get there:Getting around Almaty is easy with a variety of public transport options including metro, buses, and taxis. The attractions are far apart, so you might want to consider renting a car for pre-planned destinations.
Cuisine:The country's prominent culinary culture is based on traditional nomadic dishes, consisting mainly of meat (lamb and horse), milk and bread.
According to Anh Tuan, Kazakhstan is a large country and has many tourist attractions.
“Kazakhstan is a country with many destinations and extremely interesting experiences. The people here are also very friendly and welcoming, and the cost of traveling is not too expensive. If possible, you should go and experience this country,” Anh Tuan shared.
