Hello TF Forum,
Recently I have visited Almaty (Cultural Capital of Kazakhstan) and will share the travel experience and memories with you. While planning the trip we have around 4-5 destinations to chose (Thailand, Malaysia, Hongkong, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan). We have finalized Kazakhstan for our travel because to explore the different country and different culture.
Just a small brief about Kazakhstan:
Day 1: Delhi to Almaty (Air Astana) - Onward Journey we travelled by A320 Neo which was decent and the Air Hostess service was too bad, they were yelling at passengers which was tough to see.
Arrival at Almaty Airport and within 15 mins we cleared Immigration as there are lot of Immigration officers. Stay at Best Western Plus Hotel which was decent stay to mention. The location was very good and scenic with some children park around. Found one thing about Best Western Plus was it's available in India also (Didn't hear that name till then.) Went to Arbat street, Almaty which was considered as happening street in Almaty (Trust me Brigade Road Bangalore, Connaught place in Delhi was way better)
Day 2: Travelled to Medeu Cable Car , Shymbulak Ski Resort which is 3200m above sea level which was great experience and even the cable cars are very smooth and no Hussle. This place will be covered with entire snow in Winter months and temperatures will drop below -20°C. But it was around 15°C when we travelled and had good view of mountain range. My cousin brother travelled and its entirely covered with snow with -10°C in April 2024. This is the major tourist attraction and attracts huge crowds. Local people prefer summer season and travelers prefer winter during snowfall time.
April 2024 Image:
August 2024 Image:
They have Indian Flag (Not many countries they have) to click some good pics with good background. Later on at a view point they will record a drone video which they charge (7000 Tinge per person and 10000 Tinge for family). Indians are coming in good number over here as Visa Free country.
Later on we moved to Kok Tobe mountain region which will have some good city views and some activities (Zipline, Cable Car Again, Giant Wheel activities)
Day 3:
Travelled to Issyk lake which is a blue water lake and considered to be pure and originating from the mountain range.
Later on we moved to local shopping activities (Streetside shopping). Dry fruits and chocolates (1.5 Kilo approximately 5000 Tenge Equals to 1000 rupees) we have some good options and value for money. But to beware local shopping sellers are cheating with wrong weights and prices (Every bill has to be checked properly).
Day 4: Before leaving to Airport we went to Rifle shooting and it was fun. Departed to Almaty Airport (Very small Airport even though an International Airport - Reminded me of Tirupati Airport, Old Goa Dabolim Airport)
Food:
As we are part of package trip we have been assigned dedicated food menu both for Lunch and Dinner at multiple Indian Restaurants (Namo, Deli, Magic Masala to name a few) each day (Menu includes 2 Roti Varieties, 2 Rice Varieties, 2 Veg Sabzi, 1 Non Veg, Salads, Some drinks and Curd) Curd here is made of Mare Milk (Horse Milk) with some desserts and ice-cream. Apart from that we have visited one more on our own which is Eastern Gate Restaurant which was decent.
Some More Photos:
TechnoFino Enthusiasts: About Lounges, Hotel stays on Points
- Accor Brand, Marriott branded Hotels are there so we can redeem points over there.
- Almaty Lounge can be accessed by DreamFolks, Priority Pass, Dragon Pass, Lounge Key.
- Air Astana has Nomad Club as loyalty club, but I don't have any option to transfer.
- I have used my Citi Prestige card (Now Axis Olympus card) wherever it's possible to get positive returns.
Verdict:
Kazakhstan can be chosen by the travelers who love to explore the nature and culture of countries. For travelers traveling with family there is no much to enjoy and kids recreation. As I love to explore countries and not been travelling for the past 2 years due to some personal reasons chose this country as I had 5 options to chose. Overall a decent good experience but not the great one. My rating would be 3.5/5.
** Note**: I will add any missed experiences later. I had to upload HD images for a better view so scrolling with be little tough, please bear with it. All images except one (took it from my brother) are shot on iPhone 15Pro.
Recently I have visited Almaty (Cultural Capital of Kazakhstan) and will share the travel experience and memories with you. While planning the trip we have around 4-5 destinations to chose (Thailand, Malaysia, Hongkong, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan). We have finalized Kazakhstan for our travel because to explore the different country and different culture.
Just a small brief about Kazakhstan:
- 9th Largest country in the world as per land area.
- Part of USSR till 1991.
- Culture: Majority of them are Kazakh, Russian ethnicity and they have pride in their culture. (Elderly people are looking at us as why we are coming to their county).
- Currency: Tenge (1 Rupee = 5.6-5.7 Tenge).
- Shares border with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and others.
- Most of them use Digital payments (Apple Pay, Gpay, SamsungPay, and KazakPay).
- Astana (Capital City), Almaty (Cultural Capital).
- Just 2M population with one of the least population density country.
- Water scarcity country, natural minerals and gas rich country.
- Vegetarians will find tough in getting proper food even though there are some Indian restaurants (Price of Veg is twice Non Veg).
- Doing Medical course is cheap here and there are around 5000+ Indian students studying over here.
- High end luxury cars are available at decent prices unlike India. ( I do remember seeing 30+ brands of cars).
- Not everyone knows English well but they are polite to see on Google Translate and reply back, everyone uses high end mobile phones so translating is not a problem.
- Please don't take any international roaming network pack from Jio or Airtel as they are waste of money, Just get into the network bay at the arrival and get 25GB internet and 250mins local calling SIM card without Passport also and with nominal amount of around 500 Rupees.
- INR and USD can be converted anywhere without any Hussle. (They give decent conversion rate but USD being best)
This trip is part of my business trip along with some personal itinerary attached to it. We have planned this trip for 3N-4D Almaty trip only which will be ideal to cover the entire places around. Kazakhstan has a Visa Free entry for Indian Passport Holders.Day 1: Delhi to Almaty (Air Astana) - Onward Journey we travelled by A320 Neo which was decent and the Air Hostess service was too bad, they were yelling at passengers which was tough to see.
Arrival at Almaty Airport and within 15 mins we cleared Immigration as there are lot of Immigration officers. Stay at Best Western Plus Hotel which was decent stay to mention. The location was very good and scenic with some children park around. Found one thing about Best Western Plus was it's available in India also (Didn't hear that name till then.) Went to Arbat street, Almaty which was considered as happening street in Almaty (Trust me Brigade Road Bangalore, Connaught place in Delhi was way better)
Day 2: Travelled to Medeu Cable Car , Shymbulak Ski Resort which is 3200m above sea level which was great experience and even the cable cars are very smooth and no Hussle. This place will be covered with entire snow in Winter months and temperatures will drop below -20°C. But it was around 15°C when we travelled and had good view of mountain range. My cousin brother travelled and its entirely covered with snow with -10°C in April 2024. This is the major tourist attraction and attracts huge crowds. Local people prefer summer season and travelers prefer winter during snowfall time.
April 2024 Image:
August 2024 Image:
They have Indian Flag (Not many countries they have) to click some good pics with good background. Later on at a view point they will record a drone video which they charge (7000 Tinge per person and 10000 Tinge for family). Indians are coming in good number over here as Visa Free country.
Later on we moved to Kok Tobe mountain region which will have some good city views and some activities (Zipline, Cable Car Again, Giant Wheel activities)
Day 3:
Travelled to Issyk lake which is a blue water lake and considered to be pure and originating from the mountain range.
Later on we moved to local shopping activities (Streetside shopping). Dry fruits and chocolates (1.5 Kilo approximately 5000 Tenge Equals to 1000 rupees) we have some good options and value for money. But to beware local shopping sellers are cheating with wrong weights and prices (Every bill has to be checked properly).
Day 4: Before leaving to Airport we went to Rifle shooting and it was fun. Departed to Almaty Airport (Very small Airport even though an International Airport - Reminded me of Tirupati Airport, Old Goa Dabolim Airport)
Food:
As we are part of package trip we have been assigned dedicated food menu both for Lunch and Dinner at multiple Indian Restaurants (Namo, Deli, Magic Masala to name a few) each day (Menu includes 2 Roti Varieties, 2 Rice Varieties, 2 Veg Sabzi, 1 Non Veg, Salads, Some drinks and Curd) Curd here is made of Mare Milk (Horse Milk) with some desserts and ice-cream. Apart from that we have visited one more on our own which is Eastern Gate Restaurant which was decent.
Some More Photos:
TechnoFino Enthusiasts: About Lounges, Hotel stays on Points
- Accor Brand, Marriott branded Hotels are there so we can redeem points over there.
- Almaty Lounge can be accessed by DreamFolks, Priority Pass, Dragon Pass, Lounge Key.
- Air Astana has Nomad Club as loyalty club, but I don't have any option to transfer.
- I have used my Citi Prestige card (Now Axis Olympus card) wherever it's possible to get positive returns.
Verdict:
Kazakhstan can be chosen by the travelers who love to explore the nature and culture of countries. For travelers traveling with family there is no much to enjoy and kids recreation. As I love to explore countries and not been travelling for the past 2 years due to some personal reasons chose this country as I had 5 options to chose. Overall a decent good experience but not the great one. My rating would be 3.5/5.
** Note**: I will add any missed experiences later. I had to upload HD images for a better view so scrolling with be little tough, please bear with it. All images except one (took it from my brother) are shot on iPhone 15Pro.
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