TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(KZT)
Tenge |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 7, City Code Uralsk (8)3112+6D, Atyrau (8)3122+6D, Aktobe
(8)3132+6D, Kostanay (8)3142+6D |
Activities
Trekking
and mountaineering are particularly good in the Zailiysky Alatau
and the Küngey, notably around Medeu, Shymbulaq and Kokshoky.
There are more opportunities in eastern Kazakstan in the Zhungarsky
Alatau range east of Taldy-Qorghan and in the Altay mountains
in the country's north-east. The safest way to go trekking is
through a reliable agency and with a guide, though you're advised
to bring your own equipment since gear is hard to come by. The
best trekking season is between June and September, though be
prepared for bad weather at any time.
Shymbulaq
is Central Asia's best known downhill ski area and is only a day
trip from Almaty. January and February are the peak months of
the ski season. A few local travel agents offer ski-mountaineering
trips in the central Tian Shan in July and August, and in the
Alatau range between Almaty and Lake Issyk-Kul from February through
April. Nearly every sports-related agency offers heli-skiing to
remote high peaks in old Aeroflot helicopters.
Rafting
and canoeing trips on remote rivers can be arranged by several
travel agencies. There is easy rafting and canoeing on the Ili
River between Lake Qapshaghay and Lake Balqash, north of Almaty,
from mid-April to mid-October
Events
Kazakstan
isn't really known for its splashy mardi gras. Public holidays
include two for New Year's Day (1 January and either 31 December
or 2 January), Kazakstan Constitution Day (28 January), International
Women's Day (8 March), Labour Day (1 May), Victory Day (a commemoration
of the end of WWII for Russia on 9 May 1945), Republic Day (25
October) and Independence Day (16 December).
The
spring festival of Nauryz ('New Days') is by far the biggest holiday.
It's an Islamic adaptation of pre-Islamic vernal equinox or renewal
celebrations and can include traditional games, music and drama
festivals, street art and colourful fairs. Medeu, outside Almaty,
hosts the Voice of Asia rock festival in August, when bands from
all over the CIS and Asia dribble on the drum riser.
Important
Muslim holy days, scheduled according to the lunar calendar, include
Ramadan, the month of sunrise-to-sunset fasting; Eid-ul-Fitr,
the celebrations marking the end of Ramadan; and Eid-ul-Azha,
the feast of sacrifice, when those who can afford to, slaughter
an animal and share it with relatives and the poor.
