Kazakhstan

1. Ile Alatau National Park- Ile Alatau National Park is a peaceful and beautiful place to visit in Kazakhstan. Most of the land in this national park is covered in spruce trees, with glaciers and meadows in the northern part of the Zailiysky Alatau mountains. The park is home to many animals like the snow leopard, mountain goat, lynx, and Tian Shan brown bear. 

2. Lake Balkhash- Lake Balkhash is a large lake in Kazakhstan, which ranks as the 15th largest lake in the world. The lake gets water from seven important rivers, one of which is the river Ili. The western part has fresh water, while the eastern part is salty. This makes Lake Balkhash special and a popular tourist spot in Kazakhstan. People love to take photos and watch birds amidst the vastness of this lake.

3. Turgen Gorge- Turgen Gorge is another stunning attraction to visit in Kazakhstan. You will find a majority of spruce trees here, along with a waterfall, that shapes the landscape of the attraction. Near the entrance of the gorge, you will find a trout farm and the Asy highlands, where Nomadic people once lived. As you go deeper into the woods, you can spot animals like marmots, deer, ibex, and golden eagles. 

4. Lake Kaindy- Also known as the sunken forest, Lake Kaindy is a major attraction in the Almaty district of Kazakhstan. It has a depth of almost 30 metres and is filled with fresh mountain water. This lake is special because it is home to the sunken spruce trees of Schrenk. During the summer and autumn seasons, the water is so clear that you can see the roots of the trees underwater.

5. Nomad’s Land- Nomad’s Land or the City of Nomads is a must-see spot in Tamgaly Gorge in Kazakhstan. It is an old movie set depicting nomadic life, which is now abandoned and nearly deserted. The set comprises dummy palaces and forts, with detailed streets, houses, and courtyards. You can also wander around the set, take photos, and imagine life in ancient times.

1. Visit the Singing Dunes in Altyn Emel National Park- Visiting the Singing Dunes in Altyn Emel National Park is one of the best things to do in Kazakhstan. These huge sand dunes stand at a height of 150 metres, so you can hear them make a singing sound when the wind blows. Besides this, you can enjoy the diverse landscape of the place, ranging from rocky floors to massive sand dunes and mountains.

2. Explore Almaty- You can take a 5-hour sightseeing tour of the Almaty region in Kazakhstan. The journey starts by paying a visit to the famous 20 Panfilov Guardsmen Park, where you will find the most beautiful wooden building in the world. You can also see the history and architectural wonders, like the Central State Museum and the Zenkov Cathedral. The tour also lets you wander through wide avenues, visit scenic lakes, and even go skiing at Medeu Ski Resort.

3. Check out the Charyn Canyon- Often called the little brother of the Grand Canyon, the Charyn Canyon is another beautiful thing to check out in Kazakhstan. Stretching over 150 kilometres along the Charyn River, it is famous for its stunning red-rock formations, towering cliffs, and maze of gorges. You can go river rafting here, and try local dishes like Beshbarmak, made with boiled meat and flat noodles here.

4. Hike to Kolsai Lake National Park- If you are an adventure lover, you can hike to the Kolsai Lake National Park along the northern edge of the Tuan Shan Ridge. Upon reaching the top, you will see stunning views of both Kaindy and Kolsai Lakes. The park has Alpine and spruce trees, along with twelve different rare plant species. Here, you can also spot animals like the Turkestan Lynx, Tian Shen bear, and Rainbow trout fish.

5. Enjoy ice skating in Medeo High- Mountain Skating Rink- Enjoying ice skating in Medeo High-Mountain Skating Rink is one of the thrilling activities to do in Kazakhstan during the winter season. Located 1,700 metres above sea level in Almaty, it is the highest skating rink in the world. It adds extra excitement to the overall experience as it lets you enjoy the skating adventure in the mountains of Kazakhstan.

Although Kazakhstan can be visited throughout the year, the best time to visit the destination is during the spring and autumn seasons. These seasons span from April to May and September to October. During this time, the temperature ranges between -3 and 20 degrees Celsius, offering pleasant weather conditions. Spring season is the perfect time to discover Altyn Emel National Park and explore the Buddhist heritage at Tamgaly Tas. On the other hand, you can enjoy kayaking and rafting adventures and explore Bartogay Reservoir in the autumn season.

If you are traveling from India, you can visit Kazakhstan for up to 14 days without a visa. If you wish to stay longer, you can apply for a visa either at the Kazakhstan embassy or online through the official website. All you need to do is fill out the application form and submit all the required documents along with the visa fees of INR 15,000. After the processing time of 5 to 15 days, you will get your visa. It remains valid for a period of 3 months and you can stay here for a maximum period of 30 days.

The official currency of Kazakhstan is the Kazakhstani Tenge, which is abbreviated as KZT. You can exchange your money at the official exchange offices at Almaty International Airport as per the rules set by the National Bank of Kazakhstan. The banks and exchange offices in cities also offer currency exchange. The currency exchange value of 1 KZT is INR 0.19.

The local food of Kazakhstan is Beshbarmak, which is a dish of boiled meat and homemade noodles served with broth. Other popular Kazakh dishes are Turama, Khorkhog, Naryn, Tullama, Dograma, Koktal (a fish dish), and Kazy (a horsemeat sausage).  Some famous restaurants where you can taste Besbarmak and other Kazakh dishes are Gakku, Kishlak, and Alasha Restaurants.

The best national parks that you must visit in Kazakhstan are Sayram-Ugam, Katon-Karagay, Bayanaul, Burabay, Karkaraly, Buiratau, and Kokshetau. You can also explore Charyn, Altyn-Emel, Ili-Alatau, Kolsai Lakes, and Zhongar-Alatau National Parks. These parks offer diverse landscapes, where you enjoy hiking, wildlife spotting, and camping activities.