Almaty Vacations
KazakhstanAlmaty is the former capital of Kazakhstan, and is still its largest city. Being a financial and cultural center of Central Asia, Almaty boasts moderately-sized tourist and expatriate communities. On a clear day you can see the beautifully rugged, snow capped mountains, right at the city's doorstep to the south. …
Almaty hotels
Things to see and do in Almaty
Smile Addict | Trip by Skyscanner
Shymbulak Mountain Resort
michael j moss | Flickr
Zelyony Bazar
peretzp | Flickr
Charyn Canyon National Park
Much more European than I had expected. Definitely feels less adventuresome than the rest of Central Asia... but a good place to kick back and indulge in familiar things from home. Nice parks, Soviet-style monuments, cafes and mountain views.
After living in Almaty for three years, I can honestly say there is no place like it. The mix of Russian and Kazakh culture provides both a western and eastern experience, and the surrounding landscape is absolutely beautiful. Head up to Chimbuluk in the winter for skiing and snowboarding, check out Gorky park for some old-fashioned amusement rides, and sample some of Kazakhstan's unique dishes - plof and shashlik are a personal favorite.
Former capital of Soviet Kazakhstan, home of famed Modeo winter sports complex, crossroads of cultures (and religions) and my home for a year, Almaty may no longer be the heart of KAZ, but it remains the soul. The streets are wide and lined with trees, the Tien Shan mountains loom over the city and the climate mimics Utah with sun in the city and snow in the mountains year-round. There is plenty of history and culture here and easy plane, train and bus access to the famed Silk Road and Great Game cities of Central Asia to the south.
Prices are really cheap. The bus fare is only 250 won and only 12,000 won per steak. Very friendly people