Kazakhstan

The largest of the Central Asian countries by far, Kazakhstan is a land of big skies and vast open spaces. Dominated by the seemingly unending northern steppe, the country is also blessed with beautiful lakes and a rugged spine of snowcapped mountains along its borders with China and Kyrgyzstan. With such raw and remote landscapes, untouched and unspoiled by crowds, this is a destination superbly suited to outdoor adventuring.

After exploring the leafy boulevards, cafe culture and chic shopping of Almaty, the elegant former capital, you'll want to get straight out into Kazakhstan's wild landscapes.

Head to the stunning ranges of the Tian Shan "Celestial Mountains" for a unique mountain biking adventure that will take you through the incredible landscapes of Kazakhstan and neighbouring Kyrgyzstan. With huge skies overhead and snowcapped peaks in the distance, the only traffic you'll encounter in this rugged wilderness will be the occasional horseman or nomadic Kazakh moving their herds to higher pastures.

Cycle along glacier-fed rivers, through pine forests and open rolling grasslands carpeted in wildflowers, enjoying rocky jeep track ascents to high mountain passes, adrenalin-pumping downhill sprints to the grassy valleys below, and two days of unforgettable heli-biking in Kyrgyzstan's lush Karkara Valley.

Or for the experienced mountaineer, tackle a challenging expedition to climb the spectacular ice pyramid of Khan Tengri (7,010 m / 22,999 ft), Kazakhstan's highest point and the second highest peak in the Tian Shan mountains.

Join us as we explore the outstanding landscapes of Central Asia!

Magical camp spot on the mountain biking trip, Kazakhstan

Find your Kazakhstan adventure

Kazakhstan highlights

 

Why travel with us

Authentic experiences

There is no better way to explore a new destination than under your own steam, and as the ninth largest country in the world, Kazakhstan is ideal for just that. Whether you are mountain biking or trekking through the arid, treeless steppes of the centre or the snow capped peaks and glaciers of the Tian Shan mountain range, our adventures take you off the beaten path and provide authentic insight to this beautiful land.

Experienced local guides

Our guides in the field are what make your Kazakhstan adventure special. The guides are highly experienced, have a passion for leading remote expeditions and are eager to share their country with you.

Leaders in responsible travel

We operate all of our itineraries on the principle of minimal impact travel and adhere to the strict guidelines of 'leaving no trace' behind. In Kazakhstan, our fully supported camping ensures that no damage to the natural landscapes occurs as a result of your visit.

Responsible travel

 

Leave No Trace

We operate our itineraries following the principles of Leave No Trace, ensuring that we take out all waste that we bring in and more where possible.

Child safe tourism

Children working and living in tourist areas are especially vulnerable to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. We protect vulnerable children by adhering to our Child Protection Code of Conduct.

Animal welfare focus

We advocate for cruelty free animal encounters, encouraging travellers to follow the guidelines in our comprehensive Animal Welfare Code of Conduct as we seek to inform stakeholders about animal welfare matters.

Accommodation

Hotels

In cities or large towns you will be accommodated in 3 to 4 star properties that are centrally located, atmospheric and reliable.

Inns

We use quality guesthouses that have been picked for their charm. They are not luxury inns however we ensure they offer you a truly authentic experience.

Camping

Enjoy our fully supported camping in quality two person tents erected in scenic wilderness.

Leaders in the field

Kalmykov Aleksandr

Kalmykov is a highly experienced guide and guide/interpreter. He is very well travelled across Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, with further forays to the USA, Italy and Germany. Kalmykov is a tremendously focused guide - responsible, punctual - and a very active individual whose interests include running, playing football, swimming and gym/general fitness.

Laura Kirk

Originally from the United Kingdom, Laura brings a wealth of travel experience to the World Expeditions team having explored over 60 countries to date. Her adventures have included setting up community projects in Myanmar, studying Mandarin in China, trekking in Nepal, spending time in a remote Bedouin camp in Jordan and chasing the Big 5 through Tanzania. With a particular passion for all things Asia, Laura loves to share the best of this region with others.

Dr Ross Anderson

Dr Anderson lives with his wife in a small town near the Lakes District in the north of England. He is a family doctor and spends much of his spare time travelling as an expedition doctor. He has more than 10 years of altitude and travel medicine experience. Previous treks and expeditions have focused on the Himalayas, with others in the Scandinavian Arctic and mountainous areas of Africa. He also enjoys trail running, cycling and open-water swimming.

Custom made itineraries

A custom made itinerary is the ultimate way to see the world how YOU want. They are created especially for you, giving you complete freedom to choose what you want to see, where you want to go and when you want to do it. If you love our current itineraries but want to customise it privately as a couple, a group of friends, family, club, business or school, you have the freedom to add or remove as many elements as you like to suit the interests of your group. Alternatively, you can start with a blank canvas and create a new and exciting itinerary from scratch! Our well-travelled consultants can give you firsthand suggestions and eliminate any uncertainty with trip planning to ensure you maximise the quality of your experience and get truly off the beaten track. Simply email, phone or visit us to start planning your dream adventure.

Trip reviews

Country information

Currency

Kazakhstani Tenge

International Dialing Code

+7

Electricity
Type C plug

Electricity in Kazakhstan is 220 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Visas

Visa and other entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Kazakhstan for up-to-date information.

UK, AU, NZ, CA and US passport holders do not need to have a visa when visiting Kazakhstan for up to 30 days(with the arrival day counting as day one). The traveller must:

Hold a biometric passport valid at least six months on entry with two blank visa pages

Hold proof of sufficient funds

Hold proof of onward/return airline tickets

Hold documents showing proof of purpose of trip

Hold all documents required for the next destination

All other nationalities, please check with your consulate or embassy for current visa requirement information. Allow up to 6 weeks prior to trip departure.

For stays over 30 days, get the appropriate visa for the purpose of your visit. Check the validity dates for your visa and any restrictions before travelling.

Safety

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.