Discover Kazakhstan: Exploring Almaty and Aktau

With its blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Kazakhstan offers a uniquely immersive experience.

This was my first time visiting Kazakhstan, and it won’t be my last.

Whether you are a history buff, an adventure seeker, or simply in search of tranquillity, Almaty and Aktau, Kazakhstan, promise a journey filled with memorable moments.

Here is my travel itinerary of what I got up to in Kazakhstan while exploring Almaty and Aktau:

Starting my Kazakhstan travels in the city of Almaty

Embarking on our Kazakhstan journey, we begin in the dynamic city of Almaty, nestled in the shadows of towering mountains.

Waking up super early and watching the sun rise over the city is a special moment. You finally get to see the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

Our base for this segment is the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, a comforting haven in the city’s heart with all the facilities you need in Almaty.

Exploring the Shymbulak Ski Resort area

We set off towards Medeo, famous for its high-altitude ice skating rink.

Continuing uphill, we reach the Shymbulak Ski Resort, a wonderland spot for winter sports enthusiasts.

Sadly, the season wasn’t spot on, and I was a month too early to paint my skis, but I would love to return as the area looked super fun for skiing.

Enjoyed the cost of alpine-style cafes with fire pits; you could imagine me enjoying an Aprés ski here.

Seeing the locals making the most of the area and hiking up to the viewport was an excellent hint. Along the route, you can find a selection of complimentary hot tubs open to the public.

Enjoy Lunch at the authentic Kazakh AUYL restaurant

It’s time for Lunch, and I highly recommend the AUYL restaurant, where traditional Kazakh cuisine tantalizes our taste buds.

A perfect first introduction to Kazakh dishes, customs and culture with a fantastic spot with beautiful views.

Be prepared to spot a lot of horses on the menu, a popular dish in Kazakhstan.

I am trying horse milk for the first time; it has an interesting sour taste and is used as part of Kazakhstan’s welcoming customs.

Explore more of what Almaty City has to offer

Post-lunch, our itinerary leads us to the serene Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. Here, we visit the Ykhlas Museum of Musical Instruments, immersing ourselves in Kazakhstan’s melodic heritage.

The Visit Almaty Information Center, the monument to 28 Panfilov heroes, and the grand Ascension Cathedral are next. Each is a testament to the city’s rich history.

Our evening unfolds at the Afisha Café, where we dine and stroll along the lively Panfilov pedestrian street, colloquially known as Almaty Arbat.

The day concludes with a scenic walk by the Akimat of Almaty Region.

Meeting the Kazakh Nomad community at the Nomad Ethnic Centre

My visit to the Nomad Ethnic Centre, just outside Almaty city in the Almaty region, has to be a highlight of my visit to Kazakhstan.

A cultural experience at the Nomad Ethnic Centre awaits us, with demonstrations of Nomad culture native to Kazakhstan.

The Nomad Ethnocenter’s main activity is reconstructing the weapons and successes of nomads from different historical periods.

The bow and arrow are the primary weapons of the nomads. The nomads began the battle by firing arrows at the enemy.

We also got to see a demonstration of a few Nomadic sports games. The first was Audaryspaq. Two riders participated in the audition.

During the game, they try to pull each other off the horse by grabbing each other’s hands.

The most crucial thing in this game is stability in the saddle and horse control skills.

The winner is the one who knocks down the opponent.

Second Nomadic sport: Kokpar, one of the oldest equestrian games played by the Turkic peoples.

Its essence lies in the fact that the riders are trying to take possession of a goat carcass and take it to a designated point, for example, their village, or throw it into Kazandyk, the name of the goal.

I found my visit to be very interesting, and I learned a lot about Nomadic history and traditions in Kazakhstan.

I would love to attend the Nomad Games someday, and Kazakhstan hosted the games for the first time this year.

Hike through the Sharyn State National Natural Park

After a long drive from Almaty city, we explored the Almaty region and headed towards the Sharyn State National Natural Park.

Sharyn State National Natural Park is home to Kazakhstan’s Grand Canyon.

Head out on an incredible hike which will take you through the canyons.

It is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunset as you hike towards the stream at the end of the trail, or it is the perfect spot for a picnic.

This was a fantastic hike, and the unique landscape of the canyons was an experience to remember.

Stop off at the picturesque Kolsai Kolderi Lake

We then explored the awe-inspiring Kolsai Kolderi (Kolsai Lakes).

I’ve seen pictures of this lake before, and it looks stunning!

Unfortunately, we arrived too late to see the lake, and I would love to return to this spot during daylight hours.

One reason for me to return to Kazakhstan in the future is that.

One final adventure around Almaty

Our final adventure in Almaty is at Kok Tobe Park. A leisurely walk, a visit to the mini zoo, and a cable car ride to the viewpoint offer breathtaking vistas and a visit to the Green Bazaar.

Flying to the region of Aktau, Kazakhstan

We flew with local airline SCAT on a domestic flight from Almaty to Aktau. The flight took around three hours, which is incredible for a domestic flight.

Upon arriving in Aktau, we settle into the Holiday Inn Aktau-Seaside, ready to explore the wonders of the Mangystau Region.

Exploring Shetpe and surrounding areas

We visit the Akimat of Mangystau Region and explore local tourist attractions.

Our journey takes us to Shetpe, where we honor the ‘Serikbol Kandybaev Memorial Museum’.

Learning about his life, his books, and his teachings of mythology.

We were also invited to enjoy a locally prepared lunch, a unique experience.

Torish Ball Valley – “The Valley of the Balls”

The Trish Ball Valley, also known as the Valley of the Balls, is a mysterious geological formation of scattered rock balls in a valley.

It is the most exciting visitor attraction, leaving you wondering how they got here.

After this, we explored the Tupkaragan District and the subterranean Shakpak-ata Mosque.

Discover the Sherkala Mountain Peak

Some say the Sherkala Mountain Peak looks like a sleeping lion.

I will leave this to your imagination.

An incredible mountain range landscape to discover and enjoy on your trip around Aktau.

Vist the Mangistau Regional Museum of Local History

Our itinerary includes a visit to the Mangistau Regional Museum of Local History, named after A. Kekilbayev,

A grand building is located in the city centre of Aktau. Outside the museum is a statue of A. Kekilbayev.

Here, you can learn about the region of Aktau and how the discovery of natural resources in the area helped the locals thrive economically.

Visit the Ustyurt Plateau

Ustyurt Plateau is a transboundary clay desert shared by Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan along the borders.

It’s one of the most pictured landscapes in the entire Aktau region.

The plateaux are one of the most popular tourist attractions for its stunning landscape.

The region is home to a semi-nomadic population that raises camels, goats, and sheep, so keep a lookout as you explore the scenic area.

Hike along the rock trail of Aktau

Then, we went for a hike along the rock trail of Aktau, which follows the coastline.

The hike offers great views of the Caspian Sea, and it is one of the top attractions in Aktau.

Thank you for reading my blog post to Kazakhstan

Thank you for passing by my blog post about exploring Kazakhstan.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the read and found this guide helpful in planning your trip to Kazakhstan.

I would be happy to assist if you have any questions about my trip.

Have a fantastic trip to Kazakhstan.

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