Kazakhstan Travel Forum

Hi friends, I am planning to make a big trip through Central Asia next summer and would like to cover all 5 ex SU countries. Did anyone make a trip like this? I plan to travel by myself on budget. Maybe a stupid question but how much money should I plan for spending in 6 weeks? I have to make it a cheap trip. What are the best means of travelling? bus? Where should I start and where should I end? I am very grateful for all kinds of advices! Thanks a lot, Silvia

I have been to AZB, UZB and KAZ.

UZB is really cheap, 5 star hotel in Tashkent was 55$.
Small decent hotel in Bukhara was 25$. If you will go in Summer, then it will be very hot I recommend to take a flight or rent a car (this is what I did). Car rentals are only with drivers. Food is very cheap but note so much choices. If you like lamb (red meat) you will love it.

KAZ is also cheap but Almaty is very expensive. I went to Chymkent via air, price was moderate. Hotels in Almaty is very expensive compared to the comfort you get. Food is variety from Thai to Italian, anything is possible in Almaty.

AZB is between UZB and KAZ pricewise. However, hotels in Baku is also expensive. Food is expensive but booze is cheap. There is not much to see around Baku.

6 weeks = 42 days
100$ per day
4200$

There is some more info on my pages.

Good luck

Thank you so much for your reply, which really is very helpful for me! I will check out your site in more detail soon! Happy New Year! Silvia

hi Silvia! i'm Alex. i agree with Nuclei mostly but the price 100$ per day!! about hotel no any idea 'cos we rented an apartment in KZ. in Karaganda it's abt 200-300$ 2-bedroom flat with heating, electricity and hot water. in Astana n Almaty will be more, a bit. abt hotels u can check on internet. there are few but u can find some private guest house on budget.
second is knowledge of Russian language, without it it'd be very very difficult. start to learn!
third is food. yes, mostly lamb, beef, and pork although they are muslim countries.. one lunch at normal restaurant (to full the stomach) is abt max 600 tenge(120tenge = 1$). "ok lunch!" with nice chewing food and looking around is up to 1000 tenge. so many private restaurant mushroomed in the city!
weather is cold in the winter, -15 in Almaty, -30-40 sometimes in Karaganda and the new capital Astana. better to travel in summer from may to october.
regards!

hi again! i wrote 200-300$ rent an apartment per month!

Hi Alex, thanks for your detailed and helpful advices! the language is no problem, I speak Russian fluently. Have a good day, best regards, Silvia

Azerbajdzan is not Central Asian state. The fifth one is Tajikistan. Country lies over the mountains and my opinion is that you can leave out it. There are a lot to see in other four states.
Idea - sometimes, it is possible to travel by car (or mini bus) with other passengers. You only have to find out the points where they started. Mostly the collection point is near bus station, there are exceptions.
For example, from Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Bishkek, capital of Kirgizstan, (driver and four passengers, 250 km) each will pay 13 euro.
Wish you good luck regarding visas.

Hello People

I am also planning a whistle-stop tour in Sept 2009 through northern China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. I was hoping to get some tips - anything and everything would be great.

My plan was to just get a tast of the region, so i wanted to do it in 3/4 weeks, under €5k and by train as much as possible. I'm 28, male and have travelled in Europe, Thailand, Cuba, northern Africa and North America. Am I being realistic - is this achievable??

I wanted to learn about safety and travel issues mainly, but any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

well,..
do not know what i can advise to u...?
do u know Russian language? if not then better not to travel alone!
i lived in this region pretty long time n know all things happen there.
China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tadjikistan, Turkmenistan... the most suitable place for foreigners is Kazakhstan, more civilized n intelligent..
alone?? dunno..
mail me n will tell u story in a nutshell.
bv.alexander@yahoo.com.au