KAZAKHSTAN

Location: Central Asia / Eastern Europe (small western part)

Capital: Astana

Area: 2,724,900 km²

Population: ~20,000,000

Official language: Kazakh

Other spoken languages: Russian is widely used in cities and administration. English is spoken by younger people in major cities like Almaty and Astana.

Ethnic groups: Kazakh, Russian, Uzbek, Ukrainian, Uyghur, Tatar, German

Currency: KZT (Kazakhstani Tenge)

Basic facts: Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world and a former Soviet republic. It spans vast steppe landscapes, deserts, and high mountain systems in the east and southeast, forming part of the greater Central Asian and Inner Asian geographic structure.

Travel tips:

Kazakhstan is defined by scale—distances are vast, and travel planning must account for long transitions between regions.
The country combines steppe, desert, and high mountain systems, especially in the Tian Shan and Altai.
Public transport is well developed between major cities, but remote areas require flexible logistics.
Russian is often more useful than Kazakh for communication in many regions.
Border zones (especially near China and Kyrgyzstan) may require permits.

10 best places in Kazakhstan:

Astana: The capital of Kazakhstan. A modern planned city representing the political and administrative center of the country.

Almaty: The former capital and largest city. A major gateway to the Tian Shan mountains and the main hub for expeditions in southeastern Kazakhstan.

Charyn Canyon: A large canyon system shaped by erosion, often compared to the Grand Canyon but with its own geological character.

Kolsai Lakes: A series of alpine lakes in the northern Tian Shan, surrounded by forested slopes and mountain ridges.

Kaindy Lake: A high-altitude lake known for its submerged forest, formed after an earthquake.

Altai Mountains: Located in eastern Kazakhstan, this region represents a transition zone between Central Asia and Siberia, with forests, rivers, and remote mountain terrain.

Mangystau Region: A desert landscape near the Caspian Sea, with unique rock formations, canyons, and underground mosques.

Turkistan: A historical city with strong cultural and religious significance, centered around the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi.

Bayinqol Valley: A remote mountain valley in southeastern Kazakhstan, providing one of the closest non-glacial approaches toward Khan Tengri, defined by terrain limits rather than direct access.

Khan Tengri (Kazakh side): One of the most iconic peaks in the Tian Shan, visible from Kazakhstan but structurally separated from direct access by the main ridge of the mountain system.