Kazakhstan’s untouched natural landscapes, cultural wonders, unique culinary offering, and fascinating architecture remain somewhat enigmatic to Brits, despite it being the largest country in Central Asia.
With ‘out of comfort zone travel’ something 40% of UK travellers will be seeking next year (according to Booking.com), Kazakhstan is a ‘must visit’ country for adventure-seeking Brits in 2023. It offers all that’s to be desired – unique cultural experiences which shock, surprise, and delight, making it a bucket list contender.
Air Astana, the Republic of Kazakhstan’s principal airline, which offers up to five weekly flights from London’s Heathrow to Kazakhstan’s Almaty, the country’s largest city, is here to tell you why…
Unbeatable Natural Beauty
From hiking, cycling, rafting, and horseback riding in the summer, to snowboarding, skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling in the winter, Kazakhstan is a year-round playground for adventurers. Its diverse natural landscapes not only offer picturesque views but attract a variety of rare and endangered animal species including the Corsac fox, snow leopard and Eurasian lynx.
There is so much to explore and discover. The lush Zailiskiy Alatau mountains, Kolsay glacier lakes, Akmeshit caves and Charyn canyon are just a few of the countries must-visit natural hot spots, aside from the expanse of dense forests, vast sand dunes and 13 national parks.
Unique National Cuisine
The foundation of Kazakhstan’s national cuisine stems from the nomadic lifestyle that many of the natives adopted, with the need for filling hearty dishes, commonly centred around a variety of meats.
Travellers can expect the unexpected, with popular dishes on the menu often featuring camel meat, mutton brains, black caviar and even liver and tail fat, all seasoned with sauces and fresh herbs making them tender and flavoursome.
For those less keen on tastebud adventures, creamy cheese balls known as ‘kurt’ are commonly served alongside fresh vegetables and fruit, while honey-cream cake ‘balkaimak’ and fluffy cheesecake ‘yezhegei’ are a couple of sweet treat favourites to be enjoyed.
City Architecture
Aside from the scenic views and unspoilt landscape, a longstanding pull to Kazakhstan has been its architectural designs and unique buildings. The city of Almaty is home to a world-famous religious attraction, The Ascension Cathedral, famed for being constructed entirely from wood without the use of practically any nails.
Located in the city of Aktau, the Beket Ata Underground Mosque can be found carved into the rock, with the internal walls being decorated with Arabic and Persian inscriptions.
2023 opens up a world of possibilities, and travel to Kazakhstan should be one of them.
Flights with Air Astana operate up to five weekly flights from London Heathrow to Kazakhstan’s Almaty, from as little as £499 return, including airport taxes/government fees/charges, providing affordable travel for the culturally curious looking for their next adventure. For more information or to book, visit www.airastana.com or one of Air Astana appointed agents.
For more information on Air Astana, visit airastana.com/uk/en-us/
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Notes to editors:
*According to Booking.com: https://news.booking.com/seven-predictions-for-the-creative-reimagination-of-travel-in-2023/
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Arabella Halfhide | Chloe Hernandez | James Brooke
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About Air Astana
Air Astana is the principal airline and flag carrier of the Republic of Kazakhstan, based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Established in 2002, the airline operates scheduled domestic and international services from its main hub, Almaty International Airport, and from its secondary hubs in Astana, Atyrau and Aktau. Currently, Air Astana services up to five flights per week out of London Heathrow to Kazakhstan’s Almaty.
Today the Air Astana Group operates a fleet of 40 aircraft split between Air Astana, its full service airline, and Fly Arystan, its low cost airline established in 2019.
Passengers are served by more than 5,500 highly qualified staff, the majority of whom are from Kazakhstan, supplemented by experienced foreign personnel. Since autumn 2005 the Air Astana team has been headed by Peter Foster, an airline executive with more than 40 years of management experience.
