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Kazakhstan stretches from Siberia to the deserts of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and from the Caspian Sea to China. Ranked as the 9th largest country in the world, Kazakhstan has many fascinating things to discover. The name Kazakhstan literally translates to "land of wanderers".
Kazakhstan, often called the "heart of Eurasia," has always attracted tourists from all over the world with its mysterious lands, stunning and wild nature, and unique nomadic cultural heritage. From arid plains and endless steppes to dusty desert villages where you'll see more camels than people, traveling in Kazakhstan will surprise you at every turn.
Along the border route from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan via the Kegen crossing, one is greeted by scenes of incredibly peaceful and simple rural landscapes.
Discover the highlights of Kazakhstan.
Mr. Tuan, Co-founder of Silkroad Adventure Travel, currently residing in Hanoi, shared with Travellive his 7-day journey exploring Kazakhstan. According to him, Kazakhstan is a vast country with many attractions. During his week-long trip, he visited many famous places in Kazakhstan such as Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, Big Almaty Lake, Charyn Canyon, and more.
Spending 7 days exploring the heart of the Eurasian continent, Anh Tuan had the opportunity to admire majestic nature and have many interesting experiences.
“Every place I’ve been to has its own unique beauty, from turquoise lakes reflecting snow-capped mountain peaks to vast, arid deserts or spectacularly shaped canyons. This country has given me so many experiences. Among them, the most impressive destination for me in Kazakhstan is probably Kolsai 2 Lake,” Anh Tuan said.
After trekking about 8 km from Kolsai Lake 1, Kolsai Lake 2 appeared before Anh Tuan's eyes, a beauty that was closest to nature. The crystal-clear lake reflected the straight rows of spruce trees, a scene he had only seen in movies before.
The mountains and forests of Kazakhstan are covered in shades of green.
Lake Kolsai
The first destination in Kazakhstan was the small, peaceful, and picturesque village of Saty. From there, Anh Tuan drove to Kolsai Lake 1 and then trekked to Kolsai Lake 2. Kolsai Lake is a combination of three very famous lakes in Kazakhstan: Kolsai Lake 1, Kolsai Lake 2, and Kolsai Lake 3. Kolsai Lake 3 is off-limits because it's located on the border with Kyrgyzstan. The trekking route from Kolsai 1 to Kolsai 2 is only 8 km long, but many sections are quite difficult to climb due to steep slopes, and since he had to return on the same day, Anh Tuan had to trek a total of 16 km.
"Although I was quite tired, after seeing these two lakes, they were truly beautiful, and all the previous efforts were worthwhile," he said.
The water in Lake Kolsai is crystal clear year-round, its surface like a mirror reflecting the blue of the sky.
Big Almaty Lake
One of the must-see destinations when visiting Kazakhstan is Big Almaty Lake. Located about 15 km by car from Almaty city center and another 10 km via a trekking trail, Big Almaty Lake boasts turquoise waters reflecting snow-capped mountains and pine forests. The scenery is like a fairytale, captivating everyone who sees it. To get there, you can take a bus or taxi. If you take the bus, you'll need to walk about 5 km to reach the entrance gate, and from the gate to the lake itself, you'll need to hike/trek for another ten kilometers.
Although trekking to Big Almaty Lake is a bit strenuous, it is a highlight tourist destination in Kazakhstan in general and the Almaty region in particular, and should not be missed.
The color of Big Almaty Lake changes depending on the time of year, but the turquoise hue is considered the brightest and most beautiful.
Lake Kaindy
Lake Kaindy is located in southern Kazakhstan, at an altitude of 2000 m and a length of 400 m. The lake was formed in 1911 after a massive 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 needles on the submerged tree trunks.
Charyn Canyon
The canyon is composed of thin layers of red sedimentary rock, said to resemble the Grand Canyon in the United States but on a smaller scale. Standing before these incredible formations, Anh Tuan and the members of his group were astonished by the majestic beauty of nature. Over thousands of years, wind, water, and earth have shaped these magnificent rock sculptures. To get here, you can travel by taxi, bus from Almaty, or by organized tour.
Charyn Gorge with its thinly layered red sedimentary rock
“My most memorable experience in Kazakhstan was an extremely unusual and unpredictable situation. At that time, Kazakhstan was experiencing an oil crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine war. Not a single gas station in Kazakhstan had oil to sell. The vehicle we had rented from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan was a diesel-powered car. Therefore, the car had to turn back to Kyrgyzstan and couldn't continue the journey. Fortunately, I and the members of the group found another driver in Kazakhstan to continue the trip,” Anh Tuan recounted.
A handy guide for Vietnamese tourists visiting Kazakhstan.
Mr. Tuan added: “Kazakhstan, or Central Asia in general, still lacks significant tourism development. English is rarely spoken in this region; Russian and local languages are the most common. Therefore, you should find a reputable tour agency to ensure the best experience when visiting this area. Currently, Silkroad Adventure Travel is one of the few travel companies specializing in this route.”
A village in rural Kazakhstan
In addition, to make your trip to Kazakhstan complete, tourists should also keep a few things in mind.
Flight tickets:In Vietnam, there are direct flights from Cam Ranh Airport to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Alternatively, you can take a connecting flight to India for more options. However, you will need an Indian e-visa to enter the country.
Immigration procedures:Vietnamese citizens are exempt from visa requirements when entering Kazakhstan. Entry procedures are simple and quick, similar to those in Southeast Asia. 4G SIM cards can also be purchased at the airport.
Endless grasslands
Method of transportation:In Almaty, public transportation is readily available, including the metro, buses, and taxis. The attractions are spaced far apart, so you might consider hiring a private car for your planned itinerary.
Cuisine:The country's distinctive culinary culture is based on the traditional dishes of nomadic peoples, primarily meat (lamb and horse meat), dairy, and bread.
According to Anh Tuan, Kazakhstan is a large country with many tourist attractions.
“Kazakhstan is a country with many destinations offering incredibly interesting experiences, the people here are very kind and friendly, and the cost of travel is not too expensive. If you can, you should go and experience this country,” Anh Tuan shared.
