Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan Travel Guide - Travel advice and expert holiday tips including Astana and Almaty hotels, restaurants and highlights, trekking in the Tian Shan and Altai mountains, skiing, and eagle hunting traditions. Also covering Kokshetau and Alatau National Parks, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kolsai Lakes, Shambala, Caspian Sea, wildlife and reserves.

This new, thoroughly updated third edition of Bradt's Kazakhstan remains the only guide available dedicated solely to the world s ninth largest country. This new edition covers all the most recent developments, including an updated history section, additional cultural coverage, more practical information to make independent travel easier, and the most up-to-date and relevant maps. Kazakhstan is more accessible than ever: tourist visas are no longer required and there are now numerous direct flights and connections from Europe. Tourist infrastructure has also significantly improved over the past few years and there are faster trains connecting east to west and north to south, as well as many options for internal flights. Kazakhstan is a modern country with a profound appreciation of its roots; numerous petroglyph sites with ancient rock art as well as the remains of Silk Road settlements testify to its varied history. The country offers a curious mix of Soviet nostalgia and architecture combined with the latest technology: Kazakhstan has better 4G coverage than Germany, France or Italy. For visitors, there are excellent opportunities for active tourism such as skiing, hiking, rafting, horse riding or simply gazing into the endless steppe. Bradt s Kazakhstan is indispensable for discovering this extraordinary country, a place that is as geographically diverse as its cultural mix: around 130 different ethnic groups calls Kazakhstan home. From snow-covered peaks with excellent skiing opportunities and hiking trails through river valleys to the secluded lakes of the Tian Shan Mountains, to endless semi-desert steppes and then on to the blue waters of the Caspian, Bradt s Kazakhstan is a perfect companion for all travellers, from nature lovers to cultural explorers, teenage backpackers to family groups.

Introduction

PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 

Chapter 1 Background Information 

Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People and culture, Language, Religion, Education

Chapter 2 Practical Information

When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Business, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively

PART TWO THE GUIDE

Chapter 3 Astana and Akmola Region

Astana, Around Astana, Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve, Kokshetau, Borovoye, Kokshetau National Park

Chapter 4 Almaty

History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, tour operators and tour guides, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Ile Alatau National Park

Chapter 5 The Southeast

West of Almaty, East of Almaty, The far southeast, Around Lake Kapchagai , Altyn Emel National Park, Zharkent, Taldykorgan, The Dzhungarsky Alatau Mountains, Taraz

Chapter 6 Central Kazakhstan

Karaganda, Temirtau, KARLAG, Karkaraly , Zhezkazgan , Ulytau , Lake Balkhash

Chapter 7 The East

Semey, Chingistau, Kurchatov, Oskemen, The Altai Mountains

Chapter 8 The North

Pavlodar, Around Pavlodar, Ekibastuz, Bayanaul, Petropavl, Kokshetau National Park, Kostanai, Along the Tobol

Chapter 9 The Northwest

Aktobe, Oral, Around Oral

Chapter 10 The West

Atyrau, Aktau, Fort Shevchenko, East of Fort Shevchenko, Southeast of Aktau

Chapter 11 The South

Aralsk, Baikonur, Korkut Ata Monument, Kyzylorda, Turkestan, Shymkent, Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve, Zhabagly, Turar Ryskulov

Appendix 1 language

Appendix 2 Glossary

Appendix 3 Further Information

Index