"David crafted a once-in-a-lifetime safari for us. Every detail, from the lodges to the guides, was flawless."
Emma & James Wilson
From Australia · Travelled to Kenya
September 2024
Best Time to Travel: Spring (May–June) & Autumn (September–October)
Tailor-made Kazakhstan Tours 2026, 2027 & 2028
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world, spanning a territory larger than Western Europe. It is a nation where the futuristic, titanium-clad architecture of Astana rises from the central steppe and the 154-kilometre-long Charyn Canyon cuts through the southeastern desert. Kazakhstan has a combination of Soviet-era space history at the Baikonur Cosmodrome and elite alpine infrastructure in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains.
Kazakhstan
Why Travel to Kazakhstan?
Streets of Almaty
The former capital is 800 metres beneath the 4,979-metre Talgar Peak. Soviet-era mosaics and the all-wood Zenkov Cathedral line boulevards leading to the Green Bazaar, where vendors sell kazy (horse sausage) and mountain honey. The city’s apple heritage is preserved in the surrounding hills—the genetic birthplace of the Malus sieversii—while a cable car connects the centre to the Medeu high-altitude ice rink.
Landscapes of the South
East of Almaty, Charyn Canyon features the 2-kilometre Valley of Castles, a red sandstone gorge carved by the Charyn River. Further into the Tien Shan foothills, the Kolsai Lakes form a turquoise trio at varying altitudes, while nearby Lake Kaindy is famous for its sunken forest of Schrenk’s Spruce, with silver trunks rising from the water. These alpine ecosystems provide a critical habitat for the Tien Shan brown bear and the snow leopard.
Silk Road Across the Steppe
In Turkistan, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi features one of the largest brick domes in Central Asia, decorated with lapis lazuli and turquoise tiles. This 14th-century Timurid masterpiece remains a primary Sufi pilgrimage site. Nearby in Taraz and Shymkent, excavations of 2,000-year-old citadels and caravanserais mark the northern Silk Road branch that once funnelled Chinese silk and Persian spices toward Europe across the vast Kazakh steppe.
Kazakhstan at a Glance
- Capital
Astana (formerly Nur-Sultan)
- Population
20.9 million
- People
Kazakh, Russian, Uzbek, Ukrainian, Uyghur, German, Tatar
- Religions
Islam, Christianity, Baháʼí, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Paganism, Tengrism
- Languages
Kazakh, Russian
- Currency
Tenge (KZT)
- Phone Code
+7
- Time Zone
UTC+5
- Power Plug
Types C, E & F
- Peak Season
June–September
- Dishes
Beshbarmak (boiled meat and noodles), plov (rice pilaf), kazy (horse sausage), lagman (hand-pulled noodles with meat and vegetables), baursak (fried dough)
- Neighbours
Russia to the north, China to the east, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to the south, Turkmenistan to the southwest, Caspian Sea to the west.
- E-sim
Get a Kazakhstan e-sim from Airalo or Holafly, or locally from Kcell, Beeline, or Tele2 outlets in Almaty or Astana.
- Visa
Kazakhstan tourist visa information is available on the Electronic Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Contact us for visa assistance.
Kazakhstan Tour Packages
Prefer something entirely bespoke? Design a private Kazakhstan journey.
What makes us different from the rest
Compare how Forward Travel stacks up against traditional travel agents and large tour operators.
| Feature | Forward Travel | Travel Agents | Tour Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personalised itineraries built around your interests | |||
| Direct access to a dedicated travel expert (David) | |||
| Handpicked local guides in every destination | |||
| Flexible dates, pace, and on-trip adjustments | |||
| Transparent, ethical pricing with no hidden margins | |||
| 24/7 in-destination support | |||
| Exclusive small-group experiences (max 15) | |||
| Responsible travel & community give-back |
Kazakhstan Travel Guide
Stories from the road
Traveller Testimonials
Real journeys, real words — hear from explorers who've travelled the world with Forward Travel.
"Our Patagonia trek exceeded every expectation. Forward Travel's local connections opened doors we never imagined."
Marcus Chen
From Singapore · Travelled to Argentina
March 2024
"The cultural immersion in Japan was extraordinary. We felt like welcomed guests, not tourists."
Priya Sharma
From United Kingdom · Travelled to Japan
April 2024
"From the Galápagos to Machu Picchu, every moment was thoughtfully curated. Truly bespoke luxury travel."
Sophie Laurent
From France · Travelled to Peru & Ecuador
November 2023
"Our family Antarctic expedition was the trip of a lifetime. David's expertise made all the difference."
The Patel Family
From Canada · Travelled to Antarctica
January 2024
"Morocco came alive through Forward Travel's guides. Every souk, riad, and dune was magical."
Olivia Bennett
From United States · Travelled to Morocco
October 2024
"The Bhutan itinerary was spiritual and breathtaking. We returned transformed and grateful."
Hiroshi Tanaka
From Japan · Travelled to Bhutan
May 2024
"An Iceland adventure beyond compare — glaciers, waterfalls, and northern lights, all seamlessly arranged."
Lukas Müller
From Germany · Travelled to Iceland
February 2024
"David crafted a once-in-a-lifetime safari for us. Every detail, from the lodges to the guides, was flawless."
Emma & James Wilson
From Australia · Travelled to Kenya
September 2024
"Our Patagonia trek exceeded every expectation. Forward Travel's local connections opened doors we never imagined."
Marcus Chen
From Singapore · Travelled to Argentina
March 2024
"The cultural immersion in Japan was extraordinary. We felt like welcomed guests, not tourists."
Priya Sharma
From United Kingdom · Travelled to Japan
April 2024
"From the Galápagos to Machu Picchu, every moment was thoughtfully curated. Truly bespoke luxury travel."
Sophie Laurent
From France · Travelled to Peru & Ecuador
November 2023
"Our family Antarctic expedition was the trip of a lifetime. David's expertise made all the difference."
The Patel Family
From Canada · Travelled to Antarctica
January 2024
"Morocco came alive through Forward Travel's guides. Every souk, riad, and dune was magical."
Olivia Bennett
From United States · Travelled to Morocco
October 2024
"The Bhutan itinerary was spiritual and breathtaking. We returned transformed and grateful."
Hiroshi Tanaka
From Japan · Travelled to Bhutan
May 2024
"An Iceland adventure beyond compare — glaciers, waterfalls, and northern lights, all seamlessly arranged."
Lukas Müller
From Germany · Travelled to Iceland
February 2024
Tailor-made journeys
Want to See Kazakhstan on Your Own Terms?
Let's bring your dreams to reality. Whether you know exactly what you want or need inspiration, we'll design a journey as unique as you are.