My Favourite Photos of Kazakhstan to Inspire Your Next Adventure

ByAlex Tiffany Posted on Updated on

I get excited whenever I think of Kazakhstan. It’s the definition of a hidden gem – a vast country that isn’t on most people’s travel radar.

Stretching from the Caspian Sea to the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains, the largest landlocked country on Earth is an epic land of endless steppes, historic cities, and untamed nature.

Ancient trading posts, mausoleums, and petroglyphs are fascinating remnants of Kazakhstan’s rich Silk Road history.

The country is home to a unique blend of cultures and some of the most hospitable people I’ve ever met.

Almaty, the former capital, is green and cosmopolitan, with leafy streets, chic cafés, and a backdrop of towering snow-capped mountains.

Out on the steppes, horses roam freely, and nomadic traditions are still very much alive.

Charyn Canyon is often described as the Grand Canyon of Central Asia. Carved by wind and water over millennia, its red rock formations are striking and otherworldly.

Kazakhstan is a country that surprises you at every turn, with possibilities for adventure that feel almost infinite.

If you’re looking for an exciting emerging travel destination that’s still well off the beaten path, Kazakhstan is a fantastic choice.

Need help planning your next trip? Hire me as your Personal Travel Planner!

A view of a cable car line stretching up the wooded mountainside with snow-capped peaks in the background, taken in Medeu, Kazakhstan.

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A rugged mountain landscape with snow-capped peaks and rocky slopes, under a bright blue sky. Patches of snow dot the ground in the foreground.
A person paragliding over a hilly landscape, with mountain ridges faintly visible in the background, creating a serene and open feeling.
A wooden signpost with multiple directional arrows pointing to different locations around the world, set against a rugged mountain backdrop, at an altitude of 3,200 meters.
Multiple gondola lifts travel up a dry, rolling mountain valley with scattered trees, buildings, and steep slopes, under clear skies.
A cozy, rustic pub setting featuring wooden furniture, hanging branches as decor, and a Heineken beer and local brew placed on a wooden table.
A paraglider in the distance soars above a mountain valley, surrounded by hazy hills and a clear blue sky.
The Shymbulak ski resort area at the base of a mountain, featuring cable cars, signage, and a few people enjoying the sunny day, with the temperature showing +12°C.
A juicy, seared steak served with sauce on a large plate, accompanied by a cold Heineken beer and a can of local beer in a wooden, rustic pub environment.
A bronze statue of a seated figure playing a traditional instrument next to a small waterfall, part of a monument inscribed with the name "Жамбыл."
A bronze statue of a man in traditional attire, sitting thoughtfully with one hand on his chin, is illuminated against a city backdrop. The statue is placed on a decorated pedestal, with a brightly lit tall building in the background.
A street scene with a row of bicycles lined up at a docking station on a tree-lined sidewalk. In the background, parked cars and pedestrians are visible.
A stained-glass archway with geometric patterns of yellow, blue, and green over a set of double glass doors, inside the Arasan baths in Almaty.
A statue of a man's head and shoulders carved into a rough stone block, standing outdoors in a small park surrounded by trees and a residential street.
Alex Tiffany and a new Kazakh friend sit at a cafeteria table with a spread of traditional food, smiling at the camera. The cafeteria has colorful chairs and windows that look out to the city.
A large, brutalist-style concrete building with sharp, angular features. A few people are walking near the building, and a fountain sits in front.
A city sidewalk lined with flowers and trees, next to a road with a bus driving by. The sky is clear and blue, with pedestrians walking along the path.
The illuminated sign of the Shakespeare Pub in Almaty glowing in the evening, with a few patrons visible inside through the large windows.
A warmly lit booth in a bar or pub, featuring a tufted black leather bench and a small wooden table. A portrait of a historical figure, possibly William Shakespeare, in a ruffled collar hangs on the deep red wall.
A cozy bar scene with people sitting on high stools at the bar. The bar is decorated with wooden details and neon signs, including one for Guinness, with various bottles of liquor on shelves behind the bar.

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Essential Travel Resources


🛏️ Book cheap hotels
I always use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.

🚗 Find cheap rental cars
Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.

🌍 Book the best tours
Viator and GetYourGuide have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.

✈️ Find cheap flights
I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights.

📱 eSIMs
Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!

🚑 Do I need travel insurance?
YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.

• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.

• World Nomads – for adventurous travellers, covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as skydiving, heli-skiing, rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here).

💻 Do I need a VPN?
YES! Always use a VPN when using public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.
Alex Tiffany

Alex is a former lawyer and an expert in off-the-beaten-path travel. Originally from the UK, Alex has explored over 70 countries independently, from hitchhiking in East Africa and Central Asia to road-tripping across Europe and the USA. He loves hiking, camping, and discovering lesser-known destinations.

Alex's writing and photography have been featured in many leading travel publications. He's passionate about sharing his travel expertise with others and encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones and travel more adventurously.

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