Welcome to Kazakhstan

From the shimmering lakes and green valleys of Tian Shan to the museums and shopping of the cultural hub of Almaty, Kazakhstan is, as they say, “Very nice!”

Visit the beautiful Charyn Canyon, fascinating Tamgaly Petroglyphs and vast Karkaraly National Park. Explore the ancient city of Taraz and the huge Lake Balkhash. This is the changing face of Central Asia – come see for yourself.

Unique Facts

• There are approximately 120 different ethnic groups and nationalities in the nation of Kazakhstan.
• The longest continuous land border in the world runs between Russia and Kazakhstan. It’s approximately 4,668 miles long.
• Kazakhstan is home to the world’s highest mountain skating rink, Medeo. It’s believed that 170 world speed-skating records have been set here.
• Sputnik 1 (first artificial satellite) and Yuri Gagarin (first man) were sent into space from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
• At 1,052,089 square miles, Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country.

Language

Kazakhstan’s official languages are Kazakh and Russian.

When To Go

The best time to go to Kazakhstan depends on what you plan to do there. For winter sports enthusiasts, November to April will mean the most snow cover. Late April and May bring beautiful wildflowers to the steppes and mountainsides. The trekking season runs from mid-May through late September.

Airports

Almaty International Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid for three months beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

Required for those staying longer than 30 days or engaging in employment or missionary activities.

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Kazakhstan: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B, Yellow Fever and Rabies vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: types C and F. Standard voltage: 220V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Kazakhstani Tenge

Getting Around

Use caution when driving in Kazakhstan due to poor road conditions, signage and lighting. Potholes, many quite deep, are common. Avoid the mountain road between Almaty and Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Public transportation options include buses, which can be very crowded, and taxis, although take care not to use unmarked taxis.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license and an international driving permit are required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Nur-Sultan
Rakhymzhan Koshkarbayev
Avenue 3
Nur-Sultan 010010
Kazakhstan
Telephone: +(7) (7172) 70-21-00
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(7) (7172) 70-21-00 (or 011-7-717-270-21-00 from the U.S.)
Fax: +(7) (7172) 70-22-80
USAKZ@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

https://visitkazakhstan.kz/

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Ambulance: 103
Police: 102
Fire: 101

Safety and Security

The most common crimes are purse snatching, pickpocketing, assaults and robberies. Financial fraud, such as ATM skimming, is becoming more prevalent. Use standard safety precautions and do not carry large amounts of cash.