|
I'm planning on traveling to Kazakhstan for 2 weeks (fly in and out of Almaty) in a little under a month. I know I as a US citizen I don't need a visa for there or Kyrgyzstan. What I don't know is much about what there is to see there in 14 days. I am roughly planning on spending a couple days in Almaty, then taking a bus to Bishkek and doing most of my trip from there via a rental car. Obviously Kazakhstan is massive so I'm sure there is plenty to see there, but the immense distances between cities makes me think focusing on the more-compact Kyrgyzstan (and possibly less-expensive?) makes more sense. Uzbekistan sounds very worthwhile, but I imagine the visa at this point in time is a bit unrealistic... Ideas?
|
#
?
Jul 19, 2014 00:33
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 26, 2024 03:32 |
|
|
It's a shithole. Don't go.
|
|
#
?
Jul 19, 2014 02:52
|
|
|
I've heard Kyrgyzstan is amazing, but Kazakhstan not so much. Kazakhstan has a much higher cost of living because of the oil wealth, and it's generally not as traveler-friendly. People say Kyrgyzstan is cheap, friendly and beautiful, though. Just be careful if you travel alone to remote villages if you're white where there might still be anti-Russian sentiment. Make sure that you can read Cyrillic and know basic Russian phrases before going. edit: I just saw you plan on renting a car. You have a fair amount of experience driving in both the developing world and in mountainous territory I'd assume, right?
|
|
#
?
Jul 19, 2014 05:13
|
|
|
Read this: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/92/travel/anyone-been-kyrgyzstan-kazakstan-uzbekistan-1343694/index2.html It's a thread on a poker forum where a dude wanted to visit all three countries and everybody was like, it's dangerous and miserable don't go. He went anyways and had a great time and wrote a lengthy trip report with pictures that made me envious.
|
|
#
?
Jul 19, 2014 06:35
|
|
|
The driving thing I don't think will be a massive issue. Have enough experience in that sort of chaotic-but-logical developing world situation, though not as much in terms of mountain driving.Vogler posted:Read this: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/92/travel/anyone-been-kyrgyzstan-kazakstan-uzbekistan-1343694/index2.html This is very helpful. Looks like an awesome trip, and I'm only more convinced I should most of the 2 weeks in Kyrgyzstan. Just have to get one of those expat friends in Bishkek...
|
|
#
?
Jul 19, 2014 11:44
|
|
|
Hit up the Altai mountains, they're pretty and remote and I've always wanted to see them in person. August would be the perfect time.
|
|
#
?
Jul 21, 2014 03:04
|
|
|
Be careful with the water. Don't know if it's unsafe overall, but my buddy traveled there for 2 weeks - got dysentery on Day 1 from brushing his teeth and spent the next 13 days in a bed.
|
|
#
?
Sep 23, 2014 19:09
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 26, 2024 03:32 |
|
|
A little different, but similar- I got giardia in Tajikistan. Everyone was very friendly, and not trying to rip tourists off (perhaps just a lack of tourists?) We ate the same food (pilaf/osh) everyday. You'll have to barter for everything. When buying pirate cds of local pop music, check if the disc inside matches the case and/or actually plays. Unibrows are a symbol of beauty, so much that ladies paint them on with any dark pigment available. Gas stations outside the capital were a 15-year-old sitting under a tree, funneling diesel out of an oil cooking oil bottle. Coffee was Nescafe. Coca Cola was from Afghanistan which made us lol.
|
|
#
?
Sep 28, 2014 01:08
|
|
