Dreaming of an adventure in Central Asia? Think no further than planning a trip to Kazakhstan, a beautiful, affordable, and often overlooked gem! This guide by X (Formerly, Twitter) user Priti Jain covers everything you need to know to plan your trip, from visas and currency exchange to budgeting and getting around.
Planning A Trip To Kazakhstan
🚨10 Things you must know for planning a trip to KAZAKHSTAN 🇰🇿 A beautiful, affordable and underrated gem of Central Asia 🌏
This Guide has everything from FOREX to VISA to BUDGET and will help plan your trip better💰
So let’s delve in, shall we🤌 pic.twitter.com/6xkJmXvWqx— Priti Jain (@mepritijain) June 11, 2024
Travelling from India? Almaty is a short flight from Delhi and Mumbai, with airlines like Indigo, Air Astana, and FlyArystan offering direct connections. Return flights range from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000. Indian citizens receive a free 14-day visa upon arrival, but documentation is required for onward travel and accommodation. Stay connected with local SIM cards from providers like Beeline, Kcell, and Tele2, and consider a 30-day plan with generous data for around ₹1,000.
Kazakhstan uses the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT) with an exchange rate of 5.3 Tenge to 1 Rupee. Cash is the primary currency, and credit cards are accepted in some hotels and restaurants. Kazakh cuisine is meat-heavy, with dishes like Beshbarmak and Kazy. Vegetarians may find limited options, but local dishes and international fare are abundant.
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Stunning Landscapes
2) Visa 🛂
Indians are offered a Free 14 day Visa on Arrival .
Whilst we weren’t asked any questions by the Immigration officer, but remember to carry your return tickets, hotel bookings etc as proof if asked 🙌 pic.twitter.com/K5bXFbH6yk— Priti Jain (@mepritijain) June 11, 2024
Kazakhstan has a good public transport network with trains and buses, with affordable cabs available in Almaty through apps like Yandex. Exploring lakes, canyons, and national parks requires self-driving or joining guided tours with reputable operators like Banana, KK Tours, or Steppe Spirit. Multi-country travel is easy and affordable, with direct flights, trains, and buses to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Kazakhstan offers a unique and budget-friendly destination with stunning landscapes and city life at a fraction of the cost of popular tourist destinations. A minimum of 4-5 days is recommended to experience the best of Kazakhstan, including 2 days in Almaty and exploring Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lake, and canyons.
The country is known for its unique charms, with winter turning it into a snowy wonderland, summer with turquoise lakes perfect for hiking, and fall with picturesque landscapes. Budget travel is achievable, with some backpackers managing trips for as low as ₹40,000 per person. The country is safe, clean, and tourist-friendly, and Google Translate can easily bridge the language gap.
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This guide equips you to plan your trip and explore Kazakhstan, perhaps even combining it with neighbouring Uzbekistan or Kyrgyzstan. With their close proximity, multi-country Central Asian adventures are seamless and budget-friendly!
Cover Image Courtesy: @mepritijain/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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