Kazakhstan Tours

• Kazakhstan is the world’s 9th largest country in size, larger than all of Western Europe, and the distance from east to west is equal to London to Istanbul
• Kazakhstan translates to ‘Land of Wanderers’
• The Baikonur Cosmodrome is the world’s first and largest space launch facility
• There is incredible biodiversity here, including over 6,000 varieties of plants, 500 types of birds and 170 kinds of animals
• Apples originated here, and wild varieties can still be found in Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve, in fact the city of Almaty is named from the Kazakh word for ‘apple’
• 99 out of the total 110 elements from Mendeleev’s periodic table, have been found in Kazakhstan
• Kazakh women won the right to vote on August 26, 1920, the same month as women in American
• Snow leopards can be found in the mountains of eastern Kazakhstan. Notoriously shy creatures, the snow leopard is considered the national symbol of Kazakhstan, being admired by Kazakhs for their intelligence, courage and independence

Australian passport holders travelling to Kazakhstan do not need a visa at this time for stays of up to 15 days.

We require that your passport is valid for travel for at least six months from the date you are planning to return to Australia. Your passport must be valid to travel internationally and must be machine-readable. You also need to carry a valid return ticket on you.

Whether travelling on an Australian passport or the passport of another country, all travellers require visas for a number of countries, and it is your responsibility to secure what may be required before departing Australia. You can consult with your travel agent, but it is also recommended that you check the foreign embassy website for your respective destination as it can also provide you with useful information.

The Australian Embassy in Russia is responsible for Kazakhstan:

Podkolokolny Pereulok 10a/2
Moscow 109028
Ph. +7 495 956 6070
Fax. +7 495 956 6170

Australian Consulate-General in Kazakhstan:

Esentai Tower
77/7 Al-Farabi Avenue
Almaty 050060
Ph. +7 776 108 3090
Fax. +7 727 258 5961

The official currency of Kazakhstan is the Kazakhstani Tenge. Notes come in denominations of ₸20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1.

The recommended currency to take to Kazakhstan is the US Dollar, as their local currencies are not available outside of the region. Ensure you request smaller clean notes as many places will not exchange large denominations or notes that are torn and dirty. Once there, you can exchange your US Dollar for the Tenge. Ensure you change a small amount into small denominations.

Advise your bank of your travel plans so that they can make a note of it, otherwise they may cancel your credit card as a safety measure due to the overseas transactions. Also make a note of the 24-hour emergency contact number of the bank or building society which issued your credit card in the unlikely event that your card is lost or stolen.

Whenever possible use ATMs when the banks are open (Mon – Fri) so that if a machine ‘eats’ your card you can then deal with it straight away. It is always advisable to carry a supply of cash in addition to your credit card.

If you don’t have US Dollars with you on arrival, we advise you to exchange some money into the local currency at the airport even if the exchange rate is not the best, this way you’ll have money to get a drink, snack or give a tip during those first few hours of arrival. Your guide will be able to advise you on the best places to exchange money.

Small change is also useful for paying for toilets while on tour which is customary in many places outside of Australia.

• The price of a cappuccino in Nur-Sultan is approximately USD2
• The price of an inexpensive lunch is approximately USD7.50
• The price of dinner in a moderate restaurant is approximately USD14
• The price of a beer in a local pub is approximately USD1.50

The national cuisine of is Kazakhstan is typically based on the nomadic cultural legacy and revolves around meat. Expect to find a unique range of meats on offer here. Beshbarmak is the national dish, which translates to ‘five fingers’ as the nomads ate with their hands. Made from boiled horse meat or mutton, this common meal is traditionally eaten while sitting on the floor around a low-lying table, known as a dastarkhan. Sorpa is a customary hot broth normally consumed after eating beshbarmak. Sorpa is often served with a tasty ball of cheese, called Kurt, made from dehydrated sour cream, left to dry out. For a delicious treat, try the Baursaks, another national dish of Kazakhstan, often described as an Asian doughnut. Shaped into round or triangular forms, the dough is fried in oil and often cooked for special occasions where it is believed the aroma from the cooking oil will float up to their deceased loved ones to enjoy. Most meals are usually started by milk drinks. Kumis is a popular, slightly alcoholic drink made from fermented horse, or even donkey, milk which can supposedly cure anything from a cold to tuberculosis.

Important: When dining at buffets (i.e. breakfast) please refrain from taking food away with you to ‘save’ for later! If you feel that you’ll need snacks between meals, pack some dried fruit, nuts, muesli bars etc.

If you have specific food allergies and/or preferences, we highly recommend you take every precaution before your tour, including carrying a small card with your food allergy listed in each language of every country you are travelling to show to table staff when ordering. Whilst we take all dietary requirements seriously, due to the serious nature of potential allergic reactions, it is your responsibility to be as prepared as possible.

Kazakhstan has a distinct continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Though quite a dry climate, winters throughout Kazakhstan can be extremely cold, with average temperatures of around -20°C. The hottest month is typically July, while January is usually the coldest. Given its large size you will note a great fluctuation in temperatures throughout the various subregions. Southern regions for example, tend to experience less weather extremes than the north. You can expect temperatures in Almaty to average -4°C in winter and 24°C in summer. Nur-Sultan, the capital city of Kazakhstan is actually one of the coldest cities in the world with recorded levels reaching an extreme -50°C.

Want to get out and explore on your own?

Taxis offer a faster service than most buses or minibuses found throughout Kazakhstan. You will come across a number of unofficial taxis so try to avoid these. Local buses, trolleys and trams are available in most big cities, they do tend to be overcrowded and rarely stick to the schedule. Car-sharing is growing in popularity with options including Uber, BeepCar or BlaBlaCar, particularly for intercity travel.

When catching taxis, have small change on you and choose one with a meter, if it doesn’t have one then negotiate the price before getting in. Also, ask your guide or hotel staff the names of reputable taxi companies.

So, you’d love to bring home a special souvenir from Kazakhstan…

Your family and friends will be delighted when you bring home so of Kazakhstan’s famous chocolate, manufactured in one of the oldest and largest factories, Rakhat, dating back over 70 years. You can find these chocolate and other sweet treats at most supermarkets around the country. Sweet-tooths may also want to taste the honey produced from the camel thorn bush in the southern town of Shymkent. It is even said to have valuable health benefits. Representing famous Kazakh folklore characters, the national toy brand Bal-bala create small dolls that dance, speak and even sing in Kazakh. You’ll also find an array of hand-made local gifts made from natural stones, wood, felt, horns, bones and porcelain. Pick up a traditional chapan, the long embroidered coats worn by Kazakh men over their clothes. Top off your nomadic ensemble with a customary headdress known as a kalpak, designed with conical shape and typically made of white felt an embroidered patterns.

A great way to support the local community is to try to buy your souvenirs in smaller shops rather than larger ones. Please note that there are bans and customs restrictions on the export of art objects and antiques, especially if the item is more than 50 years old or of cultural value. If you have any concerns, please ask for a receipt or check with your tour guide.

• Typically Kazakh men will use both hands to shake the hands of all other men in the room, however for religious reasons, some will refrain from shaking the hand of a woman so don’t feel insulted if you extended hand is not taken
• Bread is considered sacred and is offered as a sign of respect
• Expect your tea to be half-filled – filling it to the top is an indication your host wants you to leave
• People are often referred to by their title and surname, so wait until asked before using their first name
• Hospitality is extremely important to Kazakhs, believing it is their sacred duty to be welcoming and should ‘meet a guest as the God's messenger’

For an indulgent experience, visit Almaty in October for their annual ‘Toikazan’ or ‘Festive Cauldron’ celebrations. Known as the festival of friendship and unity, locals flock to present their incredible array of traditional dishes, highlighting their diversity comprising over 130 nationalities that call Kazakhstan home. In addition to the delicious cuisine, you’ll be entertained by local performances, witness various equestrian games, or join in on the construction of a yurt, along with plenty of traditional souvenir shopping on offer.

Other national public holidays to be aware of include:

• New Year's Day and the day after
• Orthodox Christmas Day (January 7th)
• International Women’s Day (March 8th)
• Nauryz (March 21st-23rd)
• Unity Day (May 1st)
• Defender of the Fatherland Day (May 7th)
• Victory Day (May 9th)
• Day of the Capital (July 6th)
• Kurban Ait
• Constitution Day (August 30th)
• Day of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (December 1st)
• Independence Day (December 16th)
• Independence Day Holiday (December 17th)

A Kazakhstan holiday is affordable for travellers! At Bunnik Tours, we offer a small group tour that visits Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, starting from $15,995 per person. On a 28-day Kazakhstan tour package, you can tour the stunning city of Almaty, visit Kok-Tobe Hill, tour the Ethnographic Recreation Centre and so much more! Airfares and tipping are included on our Kazakhstan small group tours.

Kazakhstan is known for its intriguing cultural,  natural attractions and impressive modern architecture. Below we have compiled a list of things that Kazakhstan is most famous for.

Oil reserves 
Kazakhstan is a major producer of a multitude of fossil fuels, including coal, crude oil and natural gas. 

Borat
Kazakhstan grew in recognition because of the fictional character Borat, played by Sacha Baron Cohen. The film series grew in popularity and so did the tourism business for Kazakhstan. 

Apples
Kazakhstan is known for their apple production, located on the northern slopes of Tian Sian mountains. Here, you can see huge apple orchids that grow juicy modern-day apples.  The name "Almaty" comes from the Kazakh word for "apple"!

Natural landscapes
Kazakhstan is home to a range of stunning natural landscapes. This includes the famous Altai Mountains, perfect for adventure seekers, the beautiful grassland known as Kazakh Steppe, the enormous Lake Balkhash, Kaindy Lake, Charyn Canyon and more! 

You can either choose to plan a trip individually or book a pre-planned group tour. Our tour of Kazakhstan will give you the best value for money, with included benefits such as transport, airfares, accommodation, local guides and many meals. The best part is you don't have to plan anything - simply book a Kazakhstan tour and you will be on your way! 

It depends on whether you’re going on a Kazakhstan-only tour or if you’re looking to visit neighbouring countries on a Central Asia tour. We recommend spending at least 3 days in Kazakhstan to discover all that it has to offer. At Bunnik Tours, we offer a 28-day 5-Stans tour that spends 3 days in Kazakhstan. Here, you will stay in the country’s urban hub, Almaty.

At Bunnik Tours, we are committed to safe travel for everyone. Visit our Book & Travel with Confidence page to find out about our latest policies.

At Bunnik Tours, we believe in responsible travel and sustainable tourism. For more information, visit our Sustainable Tourism hub.