Kazakhstan.

travel

Commissioned by the Tourism Industry Committee of the Republic of

Kazakhstan, Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan
 Kazakhstan.travel

10 must-see landscapes
in Kazakhstan
We are more than sure that not every traveler, who have
traveled around Kazakhstan many times or even those
Kaindy Lake
who live here since they were born, knows everything about
beauty of the local nature and great variety of these parts.
It is enough to say that many people couldn’t have named
even a few attractions of this unbounded country without
mentioning “steppe” or “mountain” used in a very broad
sense. And there are lots of places! In order to thoroughly
explore and enjoy each of them you will need many years
and there is no need to even cross Kazakhstan’s border.
Here you will find attractions from all six continents of
the world: travelling to historical sites and ruins of ancient
civilizations, resort vacation with so much fun, driving
rally across the deserts and sand dunes, snow skiing and
snowboarding at internationally recognized high-altitude
resorts or mountain hiking in summer.
All these are accompanied by incredibly picturesque
landscapes that will make even the most pessimistic
tourist sauvore their charm. So, in this article we have Korgalzhyn Lakes
prepared ten unique sites in Kazakhstan that looks like
they stepped out from the paintings of great artists. Here
you can make beautiful photos; therefore, if you have any
type of camera it will be working hard throughout your
whole journey.

Bozzhyra

Rakhmanov’s Springs

Borovoe Sining Dune Kolsay Lake Charyn Canyon

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Top 5 affordable outdoor
activities in Kazakhstan
Do you know how happy and successful people from
different countries of the world advise to cope with stress?
The solution is to have an active lifestyle. When the wave of
doubts and anxieties surged over, you should get right into
the saddle! Either a horse saddle or a bicycle saddle! By
the way, many people do it intuitively, without any scientific
evidence. In Kazakhstan the number of people who lead an
active lifestyle is increasing year after year, which is very
encouraging. And here the top five of the most popular and
affordable types of active tourism in our country: hiking and
mountain hiking, horseback riding, cycle travel and mountain
biking.
Only mountains can be better
than mountains
The greatest variety of offers, both from travel agencies
and single guides, in the organization of mountain hikes
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today can be found in Almaty Region, of course. And it is
rightly so, here in half an hour you can reach the beginning
of the route from the metropolis, that is, the actual foothill
of the mountain. Therefore, both experienced climbers and
people, who just enjoy the mountain, come here from the CIS
countries.
Go farther and see more
The hiking routes are usually laid on wild, uninhabited
areas in different countries of the world. People tend to get
away from civilization, to merge with nature, as if to become
one with it. In our country we have quite a lot of such remote,
beautiful, and wild places. But professional guides or travel
agencies specializing in this area are not sufficient.
About horseback riding
It is logical to go to horseback ridingaftera hiking tour.
The thing is that the horseback tours are very popular in
the Protected Areas. Besides, here it will be appropriate
to mentionnew direction in Kazakhstan tourism, such as
agritourism or rural tourism.
Bicycle adventures
The bicycle is becoming increasingly popular in
Kazakhstan today as a transportation mean, including travel.
In any region of the country there are local communities,
clubs of cyclists.
Going to the mountains by bicycle
ТThe bicycle touring topic is huge and immense, in
particular the mountain biking is one of the directions.
Top 5 extreme travel
experiences in Kazakhstan
Extreme means a certain risk. Therefore, all of the
following types of extreme leisure require either hard
training or work in tandem with an experienced instructor.
There is no independence in the beginning!
Luckily, today the tourism industry, including the extreme
one, is developing by leaps and bounds in Kazakhstan,
the offers at the market are very diverse. These include
air trips on small triple planes where the active piloting is
provided at the client’s request including a combat turn,
a corkscrew, a slide. These include training in paragliding
and hang-gliding, parachuting, river rafting, and much
more.
We have identified for you the top five most popular and
affordable types of extreme recreation.
At a wind pace. Mountain skiing
and snowboarding
During winter time the mountain skiing and
snowboarding hit record numbers.
Today the mountain skiing services are of better quality
and much more diverse than some ten years ago. The
slopes both for the beginners and the professionals are
practically everywhere.
In the water column. Diving
It would seem that in Kazakhstan, the country of the
Great Steppe, there could not be a large number of divers.
You will be surprised but during a warm season it is the
most sought-after type of extreme activities.
Overwater adrenaline. Rafting
If you do not feel very comfortable under the water, then
you can experience adrenaline over the water! Of course,
we are talking about rafting! This is a fascinating slide
down a mountain river on canoe or special rafts. Rafting is
one of the most visited tours.
Out to the sky. Parachuting
Of course, a parachute jump from a height of 1,000
meters will long remain in your memory! I will immediately
answer a question that tormented me in my time: what if I
forget to press the button and the parachute will not open?
And you know what? There is nothing to worry about! The
instructor will explain to you that «in order to operate the
main parachute canopy the deployment bag is extracted
forcibly and the parachute canopy is deployed immediately
after a paratrooper is separated from the aircraft, within
three seconds. You just have to go to the sky!»
In Almaty region paratroopers are trained by highly
qualified specialists, instructors of the parachute training
air unit, the members of the Bayserke Wings team.
Under the paraglider wing
The colorful wings of paragliders on Ushkonyr in
Almaty region always attract an eye. The training flights,
competitions take place almost all year round here. And
during the Christmas Holidays, you can even see Ded
Moroz and Snegurochka in the sky!
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5 places for traveling by car
in Kazakhstan
In Kazakhstan, in order to go on a trip, you just need to
get in the car. We have all conditions to do this: the unique
nature and available infrastructure. And depending on how
much free time you have, you can spend from a few hours
to days in a journey. Travelers and experts from the field
of tourism shared some of the most interesting places in
Kazakhstan where you can go by car.
Waterfall near Zerenda village
Akmeshit Cave
Dzungarian Alatau Bestobe Canyon
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10 best trekking routes
in Almaty region
If you haven’t passed, at least, one trekking route, you can’t
consider yourself a true traveller.
Each of us since childhood has got a desire for new
discovery and for bright and unforgettable adventures. That’s
why each year we pack our bags and start a journey – no matter
whether it is fishing at the neighbouring lake or a distant trip/
flight. Many people consider themselves as quite experienced
travellers after travelling around Kazakhstan or visiting many
cities, countries. But… If you haven’t passed, at least, one
trekking route, you can’t consider yourself a true traveller. You
are just a tourist moving from home comfort to a hotel with all
facilities. True emotions, wild drive, unforeseen adventures,
unplanned events, bright impressions and memories for life
are hiding not in the hotels and spa points. These are much
closer to the earth. That earth that you have to walk on with
your legs in order to feel the power and speechless beauty of
the nature, to feel grandeur of uncontrollable force of nature.
Only in that way you will realize that we, people, are tiny and
insignificant in comparison with nature; how beautiful this
world is and it is desperately resisting human’s domination.
Trekking is an activity for soul.
Charyn Canyon
Butakovskoye Gorge
Talgar Peak Kolsai Lake
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Following nomad’s way:

horseback riding routes
Breathing in sweet forest air and admiring beauty of
mountains and sparkling lakes while sitting comfortably Zailiskiy Alatau Mountains
in your saddle – that is a perfect travel, isn’t it?
Amazing nature of Kazakhstan, the promised land of
ancient nomads, opens up from a new side when you
discover its beauties in the way the ancestors of modern
Kazakhs did – sitting on horseback. Stocky but strong
and enduring horses will take you along the mountain
paths through dense forests; they will ford turbulent rivers
without hesitation and gallop at full speed across hot
desert for a long time. You will definitely recall such travel
in your memory again and again; at least, until that time
when your legs will stop aching after long sitting in the
saddle. Of course, this is a joke and light discomfort after
horseback riding will mean that your muscles exposed
to some physical exercise – kind of exercise with steppe Zailiskiy Alatau Mountains
flavour.
Above all you should add an invaluable positive
experience of interaction with this proud animal: horses
are very smart and sensitive, that’s why you should learn
to control your emotions all along the way. Bear in mind,
that horses can quickly understand whether a rider is
afraid of the horse or not. If yes, then be prepared that
your faithful horse will behave naughty, won’t obey you
and will do its own thing, not yours. Therefore, horseback
riding tours, especially long-lasting ones, will excellently
harden you and build your character. Sooner or later, you
will understand how to make the horse understand who is
in charge here. Later you can use this experience in your
normal life, with some adjustments though. In general,
horseback riding does not have any disadvantages at all
– this is very interesting, fascinating, and even useful!
Djailau

Assy Kolsay Lakes Borovoe Kaindy Lake

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How to tame a hunting bird? Rivers of Kazakhstan

that are ideal for rafting
of Europe, Persia, India and China; while on the territory of
ancient Kazakhstan all patrimonial and tribal consolidations
were engaged with hunting, mainly people of average and
advanced age. Hunting birds had always been very valuable
– a berkut or a falcon was considered as sacred birds, and a
random person couldn’t deal with these birds.”
In the old times chicks were taken straightly from nests and
prepared to be hunting birds. People were observing a nest
from the moment of egg laying. Moreover, they were living
not far from it up to the moment when chicks started leaving
the nest. People had enough time to learn biological features
and predator habits in the natural habitat. Kusbegi (falconers)
knew that comprehensive development of a chick can only
happen under the parental wing; therefore, people took chicks
away when they became fledglings, just prior to leaving their
nests.

Taming a bird is a complicated
process.
You must admit that no one remains indifferent when
watching a berkutchi or a falconer having his pet on his arm
and sitting on horseback. Handsome men and slim women
in national dresses are looking quite attractive. When you see
how a master and his bird are working closely together, how a
huge berkut is taking quarry or a falcon is circling the steppe in
free flight and then returning on his master’s (kusbegi) arm –
all these are taking your breath away. But behind this beautiful
picture a great deal of work, sometimes many years of work,
is hidden, because taming a bird is a complicated process.
From history
“Hunting with animals (greyhounds, cheetahs, hunting
birds) has always been cultivated in the Eurasian steppes; this
is evidenced by archaeological digs and ancient manuscripts
telling about nomads’ household”, – this is what Assylkhan
Artykpayev, local historian, biologist, hunting expert, writes in
one of his publications devoted to hunting birds. – Gradually,
this type of hunting had been widely disseminated among
nobility of many states in Europe and Asia. In the Middle
Ages hunting with birds was a prerogative of monarchs’ yards
The most important part is
allowing bird some time to get
used to a man.
Adjustment to men has always been the first stage in
preparation of a hunting bird. During first hours after taking
chick out of its natural habitat, a hunter should be spending
almost all his time next to the bird. During that period the bird
was kept on “yrgak” (a swinging falconery block used at the
beginning of bird’s training), and from time to time hunter
was stroking bird’s chest preventing from falling asleep. After
some time tired bird started getting used to the hunter.
How hunting birds are tamed nowadays? It is strictly
prohibited to take chicks out of the nest: all birds species in
Kazakhstan related to hunting birds are recorded in the Red
Book.
In Kazakhstan you will be introduced to river rafting for
every taste!
What do you like more: extreme rafting down turbulent
mountain rivers, when “rapids” are on the path one cooler
than the other, or orderly course of calm waters “overboard”?
Whatever the answer, we will please you: in Kazakhstan you
may experience river rafting for every taste!
Rafting is usually referred to extreme types of leisure
activities, although even children are allowed to rafting down
the river (or certain parts of it) with calm water. We will tell
you about the most popular places for rafting in Kazakhstan.
Two regions, Almaty and East Kazakhstan, arrange rafting
tours professionally – you will be offered routes of different
categories of complexity, both of one-day and multi-day type.
According to the international classification for each river
reach there are six categories of barriers with different level
of difficulty:
the higher the number of the level, the more difficult the This is Charyn River, different from other mountain rivers
reach is. of Zhetysu by its “inconstancy” – calm and unhurried after a
moment it can turn into a raging stream, and then calm down
again.
Zhetysu Rivers For lovers of superextreme, organizations offer a special
In Almaty region, three rivers are especially popular for route along Koksu River. In different parts of the river different
rafting: Ili, Turgen, and Chilik. categorization of complexity: from three to five. Together with
Chilik is the river of the third category of complexity in the fascinating nature of Zhetysu (Dzungarian Alatau) rafting
rafting. That’s where people go for adrenaline! Rough water on the river will not leave anyone indifferent!
of this river will not let you fall into despondency from
monotonous steppe landscapes along the banks. The rafting Water thresholds of East
season is from mid-June to the beginning of October.
It is worth mentioning two more rivers in Almaty region
Kazakhstan
where rafting is being arranged. The most popular river for rafting in the East Kazakhstan
region is considered to be the taiga beauty Uba.

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The best fishing destinations Pearl of Altyn Emel

in Kazakhstan
more often fishermen put up photos of 15-20 kg predators on
various forums.

The Giants of the Caspian

The beluga of Acipenseridae family is recognized to be the
largest fish in Kazakhstan. It is found in the Caspian Sea, the
weight reaches 300 kg. But beluga is recorded in the Red Book
and, therefore, its catching is prohibited. .

In the river where trout is plashing…

In the mountains of the North and Central Tien Shan, in Zhetysu
(Dzhungarian) Alatau, the osman is being caught as well as the
trout in some rivers which was introduced in Kazakhstan.

It can be said without exaggeration that every third Kazakhstani

family has its own fisherman; it can be a father, a son or a
brother. In addition to traditional commercial fishing, sport-and-
recreational fishing is actively developing in our country: there
are federations, clubs, and just communities. The national fishing
sport team of Kazakhstan has twice become the world champion
in the team scoring; the team members are prize winners of many
international tournaments. Of course, all this is not a coincidence -
our anglers have many places where they can hone their skills. We
will tell you about the prime fishing spots, about rivers and lakes
where eminent fishermen come together for trophies not only
from Kazakhstan but also from all over the world.
Trophy Balkhash Lake Region
At all times the Ili river delta in the Southern Balkhash region was
considered the best place for fishing: herespecies composition of
the fish is huge and the trophies are impressive.
By the will of the pike, at the fisher’s
command
The pike,that is whatabsolutely absent in Balkhash and in the
entire Balkhash region! Just the way the pike looks is indicative
of its agility, aggressiveness, and rapacity. The Black Irtysh riveris
famous for its trophy pike. It is a river that runs into Zaysan lake in
the Eastern Kazakhstan region. In addition to pikes, large perches
and bream are of interest to anglers in this region.
The pike also inhabitsthe rivers of Central Kazakhstan: Ishim,
Tobol, Nura andin the south: in the Chuy spills and Syr Darya river.
Shalkar lake located 150 km awayfrom the city of Uralsk andis
famous for its pikes. They say that this fish sometimes reaches
40 kg, but in recent years there are no photofacts with such prey,
The inhabitants of taiga rivers
Fishing of gray fish in taiga rivers of the Western Altay, for
example, in the Chernaia Uba river and the Belaia Uba river is
difficult and unusual.
Ice Fishery in Korgalzhino
Astana residents are fishing on the banks of Esil river, go to the
lakes of the Burabai resort, but winter fishing on the lakes of the
Korgalzhynsky reserve is of particular interest to local anglers. As
soon as ice appears on the ponds, hundreds of anglers go to drill
holes.
Okunkol Festival on Alakol Lake
Alakol Lake, located in the semi-desert zone in the east of the
Balkhash-Alakol depression, is interesting to those who fish in
large amounts, the commercial fishermen. It is not very interesting
for the recreational anglers: it is almost impossible to catch a
trophy specimen from the shore, and it is not recommended to go
out into the open water by boat.
What is the most important in
fishing? True! The process itself!
…The small private ponds located near major cities are worth
mentioning separately. Basically, these are the suburbs of Almaty
and Astana of course. The owners of such ponds equipped them
with gazebos, and built small houses in some places; they stocked
the ponds with fish, mainly cyprinoid fish species, and now they
give an opportunity to enthusiastic anglers to satisfy their fishing
need for a certain charge.
A wonderful natural object, popular among
foreigners far outside of Kazakhstan, who love
uncommon sights
Although there is a lot of deserts in
Kazakhstan, we do not have any classical
lands where only lifeless sands are spread to
the horizon. However, the following areas with
picturesque dunes ridges with Aeolian ripples,
can be easily found in the Aral Kara Kum, Kyzyl
Kum, Moyynkum, Taukum, Saryesik-Atyrau, and
everywhere in our desert zone. There are lots
of dunes in Kazakhstan, but Barkhan is the only
one - a mountain of pure sand over one hundred
metres in height and several kilometers long
on the right bank of the Ili River. A wonderful
natural object commonly known to lovers of
curiosities far outside the Republic. This rare
monument has its own name.
Singing Dune!

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20 reasons to visit Borovoe
in autumn
The unique aura, which nature has nourished these
places with, infects every visitor with an irresistible desire
to come back here again.
If there are no people at the resort, then the season
automatically turns into “dead”. Doubtful thesis! After all,
the fact that forests and lakes do not speak out with happy
cries of cultural holidayers does not mean they are dying at
all. Quite the contrary, when people return to their beloved
civilization, nature plunges into its first-born pacification.
At this very moment a true moment comes to the most
selfless nature admirers and connoisseurs!
1. If you really want to see and feel the Borovoe as it
is then you should definitely come here in the «off
season» period, in autumn!
2. For sophisticated people, Borovoe is not limited
with the lake of the same name, but covers all of
Kokshetau area – a whole conglomeration of peaks,
water bodies, fancy granite rocks, twisted pines, and
cool mosses.
3. Local autumn is a relic echo of the past caught in
the boundless steppes of Kazakhstan by the tops of
14
rocky mountains.
4. Poetic nomads were deifying such amazing creatures
of nature and surrounded them with an aura of
holiness.
5. Every rock, especially such noticeable as Okzhetpes
(symbol of the place!), is a story frozen in a stone
about something wonderful that happened here in
the ancient times.
6. Borovoe, which gave the name to the whole of this
“Steppe Switzerland”, is a kind of the rod on which all
other local wonders are strung.
7. But here, around, there are at least fifty original lakes,
many of which – Shuchie, Big and Small Chebachie,
Zhukey, Katarkol – are no less picturesque and
charming.
8. Autumn in classical Kokshetau, where evergreen pine
trees dominate, may be not such diverse and regal as
in Altai or in Zailiskiy Alatau, but it also charms and
fascinates a viewer!
9. Here is the north of Kazakhstan, and therefore the
“golden season” is often very short-lived and can end
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overnight at the will of unexpectedly flown steppe
windmills.
10. Crazy whirlwinds knock down leaves, calm the whisper
of birches and immediately fill the atmosphere with
other sounds: whistle of pine trees, hissing of grasses
and the measured roar of the waves.
11. But when it is windless, then autumn time in the
mountains of Kokshe is characterized by phenomenal
silence.
12. At such a time you can hear squirrel paws are
scrubbing the bark somewhere in the wood and
fearful deer are rustling fallen needles.
13. Such as the air here, there is nowhere else in the
world, that’s why since ancient times weakened, tired
and consumptive people came here to be healed with
air.
14. In autumn, when philosophic scent of decay (of
withering steppes, fallen leaves, soaked moss and
mushrooms getting out to the light) invades to the
usual range of smells (of sun-soaked granite, lake
water, blooming grass and steamed pine needles), air
of Borovoe can treat not only the bodies but also the
souls!
15. Autumn chill is conducive to long walks – the park
nature of local forests favors to the free choice of
path.
16. And any climbing to any local mountain (even though
to Kokshe-Sinyukha with a height of 947 meters)
will surely be remembered for the rest of your life by
unreal depth of the open spaces that will open before
your very eyes for hundreds of kilometers!
17. The unique aura, which nature has nourished these
places with, infects every visitor with an irresistible
desire to come back here again.
18. I assure you, this is not necessary to wait for the
crowded and noisy summer – a meeting with Borovoe
is appropriate at any time of the year!
19. As for autumn, it happens here too rapidly – it often
happens that summer ends in September and in
September winter begins.
20. However, who said that winter in Kokshetau is worse
than autumn?
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Kazakh haute cuisine:
traditional dishes you must try
while in Kazakhstan
It is well known that many travellers find traditional
nomad’s food to be delightful. Famous American actor
Mark Dacascos, Brazil coach Joao Barbosa, the Two
Michelin starred Italian chef Norbert Niederkofler, and many
other celebrities enthusiastically admitted that they love
Kazakhstan not only for warm hospitality and wonderful
people, but also for remarkable national cuisine. In this
light, there is increased interest from local restaurateurs in
revealing a great potential of nomad’s food. Every national
dish appeared as a result of a certain life event; and
specific nature of cooking arose from the need to conserve
all useful properties of the food and to extend its storage
period to its maximum. Now it has become a key aspect in
transition of Kazakh cuisine up to the next higher level of
the “gastronomic podium”.
Where in Kazakhstan you can try
true Kazakh haute cuisine?
The idea of representing traditional cuisine from the
other side – such possibility has not been considered
before – initially emerged in constantly developing mega
cities of the country – Astana and Almaty. National dishes
16
are offered across the country, cooked deliciously and
served beautifully; but these traditional dishes are rarely
represented in a separate menu and are often mixed with
cuisine of other nationalities without even mentioning
about chef’s original menu developed on the basis of
solely traditional recipes. And now, owing to the efforts
of progressive restaurateurs, we can see a tendency of
Kazakh haute cuisine turning into a distinctive feature and
a calling card of the gastronomic field in Kazakhstan.
National delicacies for admirers
of the haute cuisine
Specific nature and simplicity of ingredients used in
traditional Kazakh dishes became a starting point for
distinguished Kazakhstani chefs and restaurateurs to
use their imagination. Using high cooking technologies
and wide knowledge (including molecular compatibility of
different food products), they have managed to develop
absolutely new concept of ancient dishes turning these into
a wonderful ensemble of taste and flavour. A true art, that
one must definitely try, is being created in the restaurants
with haute cuisine. For instance:
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in any upgrading because, when originally served, these
all perfectly fit into menu of fine dining restaurants:
jerked horse meat and mutton, rich “kazy” (a traditional
sausage made out of horse meat) with equal droplets
of incredibly delicate and sweet fat, boiled ox tongue,
and spiced meat.
• * A true steppe delicacy – horse meat “sheke” (cheeks,
tongue, lip and brain)
• “Mi-palau” it is a quite exotic dish that is on the menu
of one of the most fashionable restaurants in Astana.
It is mutton brains cooked in a particular way and
supplemented by black caviar.
• Meat dishes for those who would like to feel “a taste of
the steppe” and touch gastronomic culture of nomads
– the tenderest pieces of 7 months year old lamb “tokty”
under a sauce of fragrant steppe herbs and served
with “lavash” (a soft thin unleavened flatbread baked
in tandoor) and vegetables; fillet “beldeme” (i.e. saddle
of a lamb); “kuyrdak” (a traditional meat dish – liver,
kidney, heart and lungs fried together) made of three
types of meat and served with baked side dish; foal ribs
with light sense of fragrant hot smoking.
“Besbarmak” can be even taken out of this list as it is
absolutely beyond competition. Even in the fine dining
restaurants this dish is cooked and served in accordance
with old recipes.
So, and for dessert: unusual
sweets from the depth
of centuries in modern
interpretation
I would like to complete this article as sweet as dinner
in a luxury restaurant – going through desserts and, at the
same time, composing my own feedback on chef’s culinary
efforts. So, we know that Kazakhs didn’t have a big choice
of various sweet desserts but they knew exactly how to
• Have you ever tried camel meat? This meat won’t be on
prepare a wonderful treat for a tea made out of simple
a menu of common dining places. But in a fine dining
ingredients like milk, flour, wheat, and honey. Slightly
restaurant you can try an amazing culinary masterpiece:
modified, these thousand year old recipes were included
the tenderest camel terrine starter (something between
into the dessert menu of Kazakh haute cuisine: “balkaimak”
a pate and a baked pudding made of meat whipped to
(fresh cream cooked on low heat – but it shouldn’t turn
creamy state) with pieces of prune and sunflower seeds
into butter! – with the addition of honey and some flour)
accompanied by the spiciness of physalis and basil
as a part of the tenderest honey-creamy cake; fluffy
sauce. By the way, nomads had always appreciated
cheesecake “yezhegei” (cottage cheese cooked from milk,
camel meat so highly because of its sweetish tender
whig, butter and salt) served with crispy “zhent” (a sweet
taste.
made from cereals, nuts, honey, raisin, melted butter etc.);
•
Ceremonial Kazakh dish made out of liver and tail fat
turned into delicious meal that will pleasantly surprise
ice-cream made from “shubat” (fermented camel milk); hot
taste buds of foreign gourmets – liver “baur” galantine
sweet “yrymshik” (something between cheese and cottage
cheese) with wild berries, and many more. All of these are
with fresh lightly salted butter “sary mai”, cherry plum
an amazing quintessence of pure taste and fragrance,
and other additions in order to strengthen aesthetical
but without extravagance and excessive sweetness, that
effect.
leaves behind a feeling of full gastronomic satisfaction.
•
As many of you know, “kurt” it is solid and salty cheese
balls and when dissolving in the mouth you can feel their
Finally, to sum up our investigation, we can confidently
pleasant creamy taste. Now, imagine that delicious kurt
say that all Kazakh traditional dishes, even those with
some modifications in composition, texture, serving
made out of high-fat goat milk was whipped to a cream
manner necessary to correspond an haute cuisine level,
and served with vegetables and fruits! Indeed, it is a
saved their national flavour. The national flavour, in its turn,
steppe flavour in the haute cuisine.
makes these dishes recognizable and favourite not only in
• Worldwide famous Kazakh meat starters do not need
Kazakhstan but in many other parts of the world.
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Universal drinks of nomads:
they quench thirst and save from hunger
How to survive in the steppe:
Kazakh drinks for all occasions
These days it is often possible to hear the statement
among modern nutritionists that dairy and fermented milk
products are not healthy for the body and it is not necessary
for an adult to use them in general. But the wise ancestors
of the Kazakh people, the free steppe nomads, thought in
completely different way. The best way to quench thirst
in the hot sun beams was a sip of a fermented milk drink,
that is not only coped well with dry throat and dehydration,
but also satisfied hunger, saturating body with protein and
vitamins, that was especially appreciated in the conditions
of long hikes.
Why not water?
Until the Kazakhs settled, the main source of their food
was cattle, meat and dairy products made up to 80% of the
total diet. In order to somehow vary such a strict menu, they
sought to use in food absolutely everything that an animal
could give – meat, fat, internal organs, and, of course, milk.
18
A big plus, which caused a pretty wide range of beverages
and other products made from it (cheese, butter, curd), is
a different percentage of fat content. For example, mare’s
milk is dietetic, only 2%, you can make excellent light and
refreshing drinks from it, camel and cow’s milk is about
4-6%, and goat (4%) and sheep’s milk (7%) is considered to
be the best for your health and immunity. By the way, the
fattiest, tenderest and tastiest cheeses are still made from
sheep’s milk.
So what do nomads drink?
As we mentioned before, a large selection of milk implies
a comprehensive range of products made from it. Based
on their own observations and centuries of experience,
nomadic tribes have formed several most balanced
recipes of fermented milk products, which are still popular,
not only within our country, but also far beyond its borders.
Kumis
Kumis, a drink made from mare’s milk, is a symbol
of wealth and generosity, the most popular drink from
national Kazakh drinks, a source of vitamins and beneficial
microorganisms.
Shubat
It is a pretty characteristic drink that you need to tasteto
understand all fullness and richness of the taste. It is
made from camel’s milk by a pretty simple technology.
Qatiq
These days it is a delicious dairy drink that you can buy
at any Kazakhstan store, because it is very thick, tasty,
has light creamy flavor, and does not have a characteristic
smell. The real Kazakh qatiq is cooked in two stages: baked
milk is mixed with fermentation starter and put in a warm
place for 6-8 hours to start the fermentation process. The
next day, the resulting qatiq from the first fermentation
starter is added to the new milk portion and again put in a
warm place for maturation. And the next day you will get a
real rich flavor of traditional qatiq. It is especially popular
among the older generation, as it fights with many age-
related “sores”.
Ayran
This drink is very popular not only among the nomads
of Kazakhstan, but among all Turkic peoples. Its cooking
process is quite simple, but the health benefit is incredibly
big. It was even considered as the main food during long
hikes.
For more information visit kazakhstan.travel
Jent, sur et and shi baursak:
Kazakh desserts and healthy snack
We found out what kind of desserts do Kazakhs have
and what traditional dishes you can take with you for the
journey or to work as a tasty and healthy snack.
Desserts
Sweet іrіmshіk — sweet curd
It is simple, but tasty meal, curd with addition of various
sweet ingredients. In one region of Kazakhstan they add
honey, in the other they add sugar and jam. You need to keep
sweet curd in the refrigerator, because it is a perishable
product with a short-term storage. Curd contains enzymes,
probiotics, therefore it is a healthy and nutritious product
for the human body.
Balkaymak
Balkaymak is sour cream mixed with honey. To prepare
balkaimak raw sour cream is boiled over low heat until
fat appears. Add sugar, honey, flour, mix and leave it for
another 8-10 minutes. It is served with tea and baursaks.
Jent
Jent is made from talcan, coarse flour from roasted
barley or wheat, add milk, butter, sugar, honey or raisins.
Millet and curd are pounded in a mortar. The resulting
mass is mixed with sugar and raisins, add butter and cool
it to solidify. The finished jent is cut with a sharp, hot knife.
In the early days, only extremely rich people could afford
such dainty.
Snacks
Shi baursak
Shi baursaks differ from ordinary baursaks in size,
shape, taste and type of dough. Shi baursaks are cooked
from unleavened dough, they have crispy and sweet taste.
In the early days, nomads took such baursaks to battles.
They are cooked as straws, without moisture and do not
perish.
Shi baursaki is one of the popular gastronomic meals of
Semipalatinsk. You can find them in almost every store or
market in the bakery department.
Qurt
Qurt is a fermented milk product prepared from salted
dried curd based on sheep’s milk. There are several types
of qurt: salted dried, boiled and paste-like. It is better to
take with you a dry qurt, as it is kept longer.
Dried qurt can be added to the broth, soups, previously
tenderized it. Also qurt can be crumbled and add to sour
cream.
Sur et — jerked beef, dried fish
Jerking is one of the first ways to process meat, which
remains one of the most effective ways. Jerking allows you
to eat fish without further cooking, and to eat meat with
just little cooking.
Jerked meat is an excellent snack due to the fact that
it can be kept warm for a long time, while proteins and
micronutrients will help in extreme situations.
For more information visit kazakhstan.travel 19
 Kazakhstan.travel

Astana city
Palace of Independence
The city of Astana is the capital of the
Republic of Kazakhstan, located in the center of
the Eurasian continent. UNESCO international
organization awarded Astana the status of a “City
of Peace”. It is a thriving modern city with a high
level of comfort and service. Astana is amazing
with its extraordinary architecture.
Baiterek is 97 meters high monument with
an observation tower. The height of the tower
symbolizes the year Astana was proclaimed
the capital city. The observation deck opens a
breathtaking view of the new city.
Nur Alem (“Shining World”) – world’s largest Karaotkel Bridge
spherical building of 80 meter diameter and
100 meters in height. In 2017, the international
exhibition EXPO 2017 was held in Astana. A

Baiterek Khan Shatyr

Khan Shatyr

EXPO 2017 Ishim River The Pаlace of Peace and Harmony

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 Kazakhstan.travel

Hazret Sultan Mosque

Almaty city

The Pаlace of Peace and Harmony

complex of pavilions to host more than 100 country
participants was built in the city with Nur Alem being the
center piece of the exhibition. After the Expo-2017, Nur
Alem remains open as the world’s only Museum of Future
Energy.
The Pаlace of Peace and Harmony is an unusual
building, striking in its originality and grandeur. Designed
by Norman Foster, this masterpiece is a symbol of unity
and friendship of 130 ethnic groups living in Kazakhstan
The National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan
is the youngest and biggest museum in Central Asia. Medeu
The building attracts with its unusual exterior and rich
array of exhibits featuring history, cultural heritage and
achievements of Kazakhstan.

Concert hall

Almaty Akimat

Medeu - mountain ice rink. This picturesque landmark

rightly referred as the pearl of Almaty, is situated above the
city at the altitude of 1692 meters making it the world’s
highest ice rink. Medeu has mild climate, the optimal level
of solar radiation and low atmospheric pressure. High
mountain ice rink is a must-see attraction of Almaty.
Shymbulak ski resort is situated at an altitude of 2260 m.
immediately outside of the city. Variety of routes, including
soft slopes for beginners, long trails for advanced skiers,
FIS slopes for downhill skiing, half-pipe for snowboarders,
extreme bends for the pros, and a special track for mogul.
Kok-Tobe Mount - one of the most beautiful places in the
city located at the height of 1100 meters above sea level.
The TV tower on the background of snow-capped peaks
of Alatau, picturesquely located on the green hill Kok-
Tobe, has long been a “visiting card” of Almaty. A cable car
connects the city center and Kok-Tobe boasting wonderful
panorama of the mountains and the city, amusement parks Hotel Kazakhstan
Monument «Kazak Eli» and restaurants.

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 Kazakhstan.travel

Great Almaty Lake GENERAL INFORMATION

The mountain lake, created by an earthquake, located
in the valley of the Great Almatinka River at 2511 meters
above sea level, has become famous for its scenic
landscape both in winter and summer. Depending on the
time of year, the water turns various shades from yellow- Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia
green in summer to turquoise blue in autumn.
and the 9th largest in the world with a population of 18
million people. It’s a land-locked country and shares
borders with Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and
Turkmenistan. The capital of Kazakhstan is Astana.

Kazakhstan is home to over 130 ethnic groups.

The most numerous ethnicity is Kazakh (63%). Other
major ethnic groups include Russians (23%), Uzbeks,
Ukrainians, Germans, Koreans and others.

The state language is Kazakh, while Russian is a

language of interethnic communication.

The main religions are Islam and orthodox

Christianity.

Vast terrains and diverse landscape from sandy

desserts and canyons to snow-capped mountains
as well as 13 national parks provide unparalleled
experience for nature-lovers, birdwatchers, adventure
travel, skiers and backpackers. Kazakhstan is a home
of world’s famous space launch Baikonur where
human took off for the first space exploration journey.
Nomadic past, Silk Road heritage, Mongolian influence
made Kazakh land a pearl for culture-heritage tours of
Central Asia.

Citizens of over 60 countries enter Kazakhstan

without visa for up to 14 days.

Two major airports: Astana – the capital city,

and Almaty – the largest city, are well served by Air
Astana and other airlines with direct flights from major
International hubs: Frankfurt, London, Paris, Bangkok,
Seoul, Ho Chi Minh, Beijing, New Delhi, Istanbul, Kuala
Lumpur and Abu Dhabi.

The best season to visit – April to October.

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 Kazakhstan.travel

RUSSIA

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Petropavl

Irt
Burabay National Park

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ga Kostanay Kokshetau
Vol
Rudny Shchuchinsk Pavlodar
bol Stepnogorsk

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Ura
Oral To
Aksay Ishim Rakhmanov Springs Lake
ASTANA Ekibastuz
Oskemen M
Semey
Aktobe
Baiterek, Nur Alem, Temirtau
Arkalyk The Pаlace of Peace

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and Harmony,
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Kulsary ba Zaysan
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Atyrau
Shalkar r ys
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Lake Balkhash
Aral Balkhash
Aral Sea

Taldykorgan Sarkand
Boszhyra Tract Ili
Singing Dune
Medeu,
Baikonur Cosmodrome Kyzylorda Chu Shymbulak ski resort,
Aktau Kok-Tobe Mount,
Kapshagay Charyn Canyon
CAS

Great Almaty Lake

Sy
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PIAN

a Turkistan
Taraz
Kolsay Lakes National Park
BISHKEK Issyk-Kul
Kaindy Lake
Am

The mausoleum of Khoja Shymkent

AZERBAUAN

SEA

Ahmed Yasawi
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KYRGYZSTAN
ar
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BAKU TASHKENT CHINA

T U R K ME N I S TA N U Z B E K I S TA N

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 +7 7172 91 95 00
Astana, st. D. Kunaev, 10
info@qaztourism.kz

Commissioned by the Tourism Industry

Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
Culture and Sport of the Republic of Kazakhstan