Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world, where endless steppes meet snow-capped peaks, canyons and turquoise mountain lakes. It is a destination for those who crave space and contrast: in a single trip you can see futuristic Astana with its bold architecture, lively and welcoming Almaty at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau, and the untamed wilderness of the national parks.
Nature here is astonishingly varied. Charyn Canyon is often called the little brother of the Grand Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy lakes with their submerged spruce forest draw photographers, while the high-altitude Medeu rink and Shymbulak resort put the mountains right on the city's doorstep. In spring and summer the steppe blooms with tulips, whose homeland, incidentally, is believed to be Kazakhstan itself.
When to go and what to see
The best time to visit is from May to September, when the mountain trails and lakes are open and the steppe is at its most scenic. Culture lovers should stop in Turkestan to admire the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, a UNESCO site, and taste beshbarmak, kumis and fragrant pilaf in the company of warm-hearted hosts.
Suzane Travel takes care of every detail: we design routes through cities and nature parks, arrange comfortable transfers, book hotels and provide Russian- and English-speaking guides. All that is left for you is to enjoy the journey, from steppe horizons to the peaks of the Tien Shan.