Devang Sethi, 29 years old, hometown — Punjab, India, blogger, www.thepunjabiwanderer.com service blogger
@the_punjabi_wanderer
I have been to Kazakhstan twice. Once in October 2017 and then in July and August this year. I was in Astana, Almaty, Shymkent and Turkestan.
In Almaty, I was on the Big Almaty lake, Charyn canyon, Altyn-Emel, Kolsay and Kaindy lakes.
One day I was interested in hunting with eagles in Mongolia. But after studying the topic, I found out that it is a Kazakh tradition. I wondered if it is possible to find something like this in Kazakhstan, I wanted to try. It was easier for me to come to Kazakhstan, and I decided. One trip was not enough for this country, and so I came again this year for a whole month.
One trip was not enough for this country, and so I came again this year for a whole month
On my last trip, I became friends with the real berkutchi. This time I spent two whole days with him, resting in the wild, and learned how he trains birds.
My favourite place in Kazakhstan is a traditional Kazakh house in the village. Sweets, tea, food, people-how I loved it all! Speaking of landscapes, I fell in love with Charyn canyon.
It is worth noting that the only thing I did not like in Kazakhstan is the lack of public transport to get to the national parks. In southern Kazakhstan, there is a type of transport called "minibus". I did not find this on the way to national parks near Almaty.
All the time I was travelling, I spent time in guesthouses or used Couchsurfing. Unfortunately, Charyn had only one hotel, and it was very expensive — I had to return to Almaty on the same day.
I would definitely like to return to Kazakhstan, and I can easily imagine ten more trips.
Mauricio Arlegui, 27 years old, hometown — Sydney, Australia, Golden Age of Research and Development company specialist
@mauriarlegui
I came to Kazakhstan in August 2018. While travelling in Kazakhstan, I managed to visit Astana, Almaty and Charyn canyon. These places were part of the organized tourist group Kalpak Travel is a travel company that specializes in Central Asia. I wanted to see the cities of these countries, the architecture of the cities. Most of all I liked Astana and Charyn canyon.
I didn't know anything about Charyn canyon before. I was impressed by the opportunity to see the amazing nature of this place. And Astana was surprised by the architecture, it was unexpected for me.
I want to return to Kazakhstan because I was amazed by what I saw.
Miyu Ushiro, 25 years old, hometown — Saitama, Japan, freelancer
@miyu0716
I came to Kazakhstan in May and June this year. The whole trip was to visit the Ustyurt plateau and lake Tuzbar amazing treasures of nature. In addition, I managed to visit Almaty, Altyn-Emel National Park, Charyn canyon, Kaindy lake, Shymkent, Aktau. I liked the lake Tuzbar.
I was going to visit Turkmenistan and instead found a Japanese tour to visit Mangyshlak that intrigued me.
I liked everything — nature, people, food, cleanliness. I was sad because it was hard to find a cheap tour. It happened because there was no band for the tour and I even refused to go to Aksu-Dzhabagly. Also, I did not visit Bozdhira, because the staff of the travel company told me that it is dangerous to go there with one car.
I liked everything — nature, people, food, cleanliness
Arriving in Almaty, I went on a tour to the Big Almaty Lake, Medeu, Kok-Tobe and Falcon farm, and the next day I went on a three-day tour to Altyn-Emel and Kaindy.
After that, we went to Kyrgyzstan to Karakol by car, and I visited Bishkek. From there I got to Shymkent by bus. Having taken off to Aktau, I travelled around the region and by train went to Uzbekistan to Nukus.
All this time I lived in hostels. I happened to live in a hotel and a guest house during my tour to Altyn-Emel.
I will be happy to return to Kazakhstan and continue my journey. Next time I want to go to Aktau, Aksu-Dzhabagly, Bozdhira and other places that I missed.
