Kazakhstan was on my list for a very long time. As you know, it’s a very popular destination among Indians, but somehow I never felt like visiting it directly. So instead, I decided to go to Uzbekistan first. Flights from Delhi were a little cheaper to Uzbekistan than to Kazakhstan, so the plan made more sense.
I first explored Uzbekistan for a few days and then crossed the border and travelled by bus to Almaty.
Yes, it’s definitely possible and quite easy to cross borders by land between these two countries. There are both trains and buses available from Tashkent to Almaty. The first time, I took a bus, and when I entered Kazakhstan for the second time, I actually hitchhiked all the way till Shymkent.
You can easily check train and bus schedules online and even book in advance. I booked my bus on the same morning and left in the evening. One important tip: please change your currency beforehand, as it makes things much easier.
Kazakhstan is a huge country with very diverse landscapes, but places are quite far from each other. Because of this, I only visited Shymkent and Almaty. Shymkent didn’t have much to offer in terms of attractions. It’s a beautiful city for sure, but still, you can skip it unless it’s just a halt while hitchhiking or doing a road trip.
On the other hand, Almaty is absolutely amazing. It’s very well developed and honestly feels like a Western country with beautiful architecture, great hotels, bars, boutique cafés, and endless places to explore. I stayed in Almaty for around 25 days, and I absolutely loved every moment of it.
To be honest, people are not very keen to randomly talk, probably because there are so many Indians studying there, so locals are quite used to us. But on the brighter side, you will meet travellers from all around the world. As a Couchsurfer, I met so many amazing people and created unforgettable memories with them. These travellers truly made my Almaty experience special.
I was lucky enough to be hosted by this amazing Indian Couchsurfer, Saket. I stayed at his place for almost 25 days across my two trips to Almaty. He was living with his friends who were studying medicine there. We went on many treks and explored several beautiful mountain spots together. Saket also cooked delicious Indian food for me it honestly felt like home.
Almaty has so much to offer. If you’re a mountain lover, this place is a paradise. Snow-covered mountains are just a 30-minute bus ride away from the city. There are so many peaks, Big Almaty Lake, the observatory, and much more. Within the city, you can explore parks, local markets, the chocolate factory outlet, the zoo, and museums.
Almaty is also very famous for its 1 or 2 day tours outside the city. There’s a popular tour that starts early in the morning from the city centre and covers Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Kolsai Lake, and Kaindy Lake, dropping you back at night. It’s tiring but absolutely worth it. If you prefer a relaxed pace, you can stay overnight and explore these places over two days.
I have so many beautiful memories from Almaty. Wherever you look, you can see snow-covered mountains it’s incredibly pretty. I can only imagine how magical the city must look in winter when everything is covered in snow. I also loved Central Park, located right in the middle of the city, where you get a stunning view of the lake with snow-covered mountains in the background.
But one memory stands out the most.
I went trekking to Big Almaty Lake and the observatory through a different route. Oh my god it was a difficult trek for me. My body was completely exhausted, but I kept pushing myself. I finally reached the observatory around 4–5 PM, and I swear, the place was covered in snow. There was this small road going downhill, and it was so unbelievably beautiful and completely empty.
I put on my music and started walking. I was laughing, I was crying, and I felt incredibly blessed to witness such beauty. I video-called my family and friends, showed them the view, and then walked alone all the way to Big Almaty Lake, which was also frozen and covered in snow.
I even got to witness the sunset the sun rays hitting the mountains, turning the white snow into shades of orange. It was truly to die for. Later, I met a few people who were also hiking down. We walked together, and some local guys gave me a lift and even took me to the best shawarma place I’ve ever been to.
Moments like these made my trip unforgettable.
I’m truly grateful for all the people I met in Almaty, especially Saket, Polina, Fari, and Ulysses, who made my journey so special.
If you’re planning to visit Almaty, it’s very simple. Indians get a 14-day free visa, and the country has everything to offer great vibes, stunning nature, and it’s perfect for solo travellers, friends, or even family trips.
This was my experience. I have so many more stories and memories to share, but this blog is already long enough. I’ll share more in future posts.
If you have any questions, feel free to comment or reach out to me on Instagram @thefoodienomad.
Thank you!