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Visit Kazakhstan – whatever the season

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Whenever you’re planning to travel on vacation, Kazakhstan, the Heart of Eurasia, is an ideal destination for outdoor pursuits, cultural stays or city breaks. 

 
 

With the reported of the lack of snow closer to home, Kazakhstan offers guaranteed snow during the winter season (mid November – early April).  Within an hour of the former capital Almaty, Chimbulak currently boasts the best facilities in Kazakhstan. With four chair lifts and pisted slopes, it’s an ideal destination for skiers and boarders alike. Offering stunning views over Almaty and towards the Steppe, Chimbulak resort offers nearly a 1000 meter vertical drop from the Talgar Pass at 3,613m to the main lodge at 2,260m. Read the exciting reviews on reviews.

 
 

Kazakhstan, being the size of Western Europe, is home to a varied natural landscape; great sand deserts and wide grassy steppes, vast inland lakes and mighty mountain ranges, alpine meadows and lush lowland forests. From spring (May-June), ‘birders’ from across the globe visit to Kazakhstan to view the avian specialities, often unique to Kazakhstan. Visitor’s hopes are to view species such as the Dalmation Pelican, Himalayan Snowcock, Skye’s and Desert Warbler and the Rose Coloured Starling. A number of UK operators run dedicated escorted birding tours to Kazakhstan.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summer (Jun-Aug) sees the arrival of mountaineers, ramblers, climbers and enthusiasts heading to the mighty Tien Sien Mountains. The existence of this great range, alternatively known as the Celestial Mountains, has been known for many centuries. It runs for over 1,600km from Tashkent to Urumchi, beyond which it rises again as the Bogdo Ola Range.

The first person to attempt to reach the summit of Khan Tengri in the Tien Sien range was the Austrian explorer, Dr. Gottfried Merzbacher in 1902.   The height of Khan Tengri was originally determined at 7,193m, but later surveys reduced this to 6,995 metres which remains its accepted altitude. In form it is a striking white pyramid of near perfect shape. To the west a cornice ridge falls steeply for nearly 1,000m to a col while the east ridge plunges to around 5,900m; the finest route lies up the south-west buttress, the Marble Rib. Himalayan Kingdoms run expeditions to Khan Tengri in July and August.

In September 2005, the Nurtau Golf Club, Almaty played host to the European Challenge Tour for the Inaugural Kazakhstan Open. After three successful tournaments, the event has now firmly established itself as the richest event on the tour, attracting over 100 professionals worldwide. It’s one of the many reasons why visitors would want to make a visit to the former capital, Almaty. Regent Holidays arrange tailor-made tours and breaks to Almaty and other cities in Kazakhstan throughout the year.

Air Astana operates direct, non-stop flights from London Heathrow Terminal 4 to Almaty on Tuesdays and Saturdays in both directions and economy class fares start from £462 including taxes/fees/charges. To book visit www.airastana.com/uk or your Air Astana appointed operator.