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Almaty has an approximate population of around 1,977,011 people and you can typically expect to pay around £1.18p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
The most important and popular tourist destination of Kazakhstan is the city of Almaty, the largest city of Kazakhstan. Situated on the banks of the river Zhanaozen, Almaty is the administrative capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is also the headquarters for the National Spiritual Bureau of Kazakhstan which was founded by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazimbayev. Besides being the Central Asian headquarters for the government, it is also home to numerous national and international spiritual and cultural organizations. Its beautiful beaches and serene atmosphere have made it a favorite holiday destination for Europeans as well as Asians.
Tourists can reach the city of Almaty in several ways including airplane flights, train and bus services. The most convenient mode of transport available for tourists visiting the city of Almaty is the Trans Siberian Railway line which connects M Kazakhskoy, the capital of Kazakhstan, with Shepte town and thereafter to the global city of Almaty. Another interesting option for travelling to the city of Almaty is flying into the village of Heptace, adjacent to the city. From there, a short drive over the mountains to the picturesque village of Nazariskoy gives a glimpse of the spectacular mountain scenery and villages of the Kazakhskoy Region. It is possible to reach Heptace from Sheptace by rail, taking a direct train from Kazakhskoy or by bus.
The city of Almaty can be reached from the Airport of Astana which has a central location and is a convenient gateway to all other districts in Kazakhstan. From the airport, there are several options for transport to the main parts of the city. Driving can also be done but it would be advisable to hire a car from a local service provider to avoid the risk of being caught by the police. By travelling through the various towns in the region one can get a general idea of how the roads in the area actually work. For those who are unable to reach the city on foot, it would still be possible to catch up with one of the various tours and travel packages to Almaty.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Kazakhstan are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
For up to date information around safety and security in Kazakhstan read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office latest information for Kazakhstan.
The best time to visit Kazakhstan is between July - August, when the weather is perfect throughout the country. This is the peak season, and the best timefor hikers to visit. April - June, and September - October are also a decent time to visit Kazakhstan. The steppes are particularly beautiful during this time.
There are numerous festivals in Kazakhstan. The Day of the First President is a new addition to the country's calendar, commemorating the day in which the country declared its independence from the Soviet Union. Nauruz is a celebration of spring, and is celebrated on the 21st and 22nd of March. During this time, people clean their houses and participate in battle rap competitions. Other festivals include the Zhezkik ethno music festival, held in Ulytau in August.
Throughout the year, Kazakhstan celebrates the Constitution Day, as well as the National Unity Day on the 1st of May. These days are filled with cultural performances that showcase the diversity of the country. Other festivals include Victory Day, which commemorates the Soviet victory in World War II. Other festivals include Astana Day, which is a big concert held in the capital. Almaty celebrates its famed produce at its Apple festival, held in the city's Old Square.
The festival itself is an event to behold. Kazakhs dress up in their traditional dress for all of their celebrations. The streets of the city are full of yurts, low dining tables, and dastarkhans laden with delicious Kazakh food. Local musicians play traditional instruments, including the dombra and the kobyz. The festivals also involve various cultural activities, including equestrian competitions, fairground tests, rifle and strength tests, and other events.
One of the most famous Kazakh festivals is Nauryz kozhe, a yoghurt-like dish. This dish is traditionally made with seven ingredients - apricots, figs, walnuts, and raisins - and it is made with seven different types of fruit. The seven fruits, nuts, and other ingredients are said to represent the seven virtues. The flavors of the Nauryz kozhe celebrate life in the country, and its history.
The international festival of nomad culture is held in Nur-Sultan in July. This nomad festival is organized by modern nomads and Kazakhstanis alike. It aims to celebrate nomad culture and to promote nomad tourism in the country. Most people enjoy these festivals. So, you should take time to enjoy them! If you are in the mood to celebrate, you should attend these festivals. These events are fun for the whole family and can be quite entertaining.
There are many festivals in Kazakhstan. You can watch them from space, and the music and performances can be breathtaking. You can see the sun rise over the city from above, as well as the moon rises over the mountains. During the festival, visitors can enjoy traditional foods and drinks from across the country. If you want to experience the local culture in a completely different way, you can also attend a traditional Kazakh wedding. The only requirements for attending a festival in Kazakhstan are the willingness to enjoy the festival and its surroundings.
The Constitution Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan falls on 30 August. This day marks the adoption of the country's fundamental law. The festival is a celebration of national unity. The festival includes many festivities including sports and fairs. As the name suggests, the Constitution Day is the most important national holiday in Kazakhstan. A celebration of this day has a long-standing tradition and is celebrated with much vigor. The locals celebrate this day with fireworks and other forms of entertainment.
You can travel to Kazakhstan without a visa, provided your stay does not exceed 30 days (the day you arrive counts as day 1, regardless of arrival time). If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, you'll need a visa. You should contact your nearest Embassy of Kazakhstan for further information.
See which forms you may need for entry into Kazakhstan.
The official currency of Kazakhstan is the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Kazakhstan you can grab amazing Kazakhstani Tenge deals via Wise.com (GBP to KZT).
Kazakhstan's desert life includes snakes, lizards and other reptiles; jerboas, gophers and other rodents; and larger animals such as gazelles. Deer, boars, jackals and other mammals live near lakes and rivers. The steppes are home to deer, antelope, badgers, wolves and foxes.
Kazakh food? The most popular Kazakh dish is 'besbarmak'. It is the main dish of the national cuisine and is translated as 'five fingers', and because the dish is eaten with hands. Classic recipe of Besbarmak is usually boiling a broth with several types of meat (horse meat, lamb, beef and camel meat) and rectangle-shaped pasta.
The official languages of Kazakhstan are Kazakh with 5,290,000 speakers around the country and Russian which is spoken by 6,230,000 people. Both Kazakh and Russian are used on equal grounds. You can learn some basic Kazakh before you travel to Kazakhstan and really impress the locals!
The currency in Kazakhstan is the Kazakhstani Tenge (Tipping is not customary in Kazakhstan, as a service charge is included in hotel and restaurant bills. However, as more tourists arrive tipping is becoming more common. There is also a fixed charge on taxi and railway transport, so many taxi drivers won't take tips unless travellers insist repeatedly.).
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What is the time difference?
The GMT time difference is 6 hours