A few days back, India overtook Italy as the sixth wors- hit nation by the coronavirus pandemic, recording over 2.69 lakh positive cases. 

With social distancing and lockdown rules in place, services provided by several healthtech platforms have allowed people to avail online consultations, treatments, diagnostic tests, and have medicines delivered at their doorstep.HealthtechAlso ReadHealthtech startup Niramai launches home screening service for breast health

Moreover, the government of India has been leveraging the potential of digital healthcare, introducing the Aarogya Setu app for Indians to self-assess themselves for the deadly virus, and determine if they are in a risk zone.

In fact, an estimated 4,800 healthtech startups are leveraging cutting-edge technologies to help fight the pandemic in India.

Even during such bleak times, a few of these startups have managed to grab investors' eyes to raise funding, in order to operate smoothly. YourStory lists a few. 

HealthPlix

Bengaluru-based healthtech startup HealthPlix recently raised $6 million in a round led by JSW Ventures. Existing investors Chiratae Ventures and Kalaari Capital also participated in the round. 

Founded in 2016 by Raghuraj Sunder Raju, Prasad Basavaraj, and Sandeep Gudibanda, HealthPlix provides clinical software for doctors.It has developed an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software, and provides Clinical Decision Support (CDS) to doctors and helps them generate e-prescriptions under 30 seconds.Healthplix

The Co-Founders of Healthplix: Prasad Basavraj, Sandeep Gudibanda, and Raghuraj Sunder Raju.

Since its inception, the healthtech startup has raised a total of $10 million in funding.

IVF Access

IVF Access, a Bengaluru-based healthcare startup focused on providing In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatments in India, raised $5 million in Series A funding in June.

The funds raised will be deployed to set up IVF clinics across India that provide assisted reproductive treatments, with its operations enabled by a proprietary IT platform, the startup said in a statement.

Naresh Rao, Co-founder and CEO, IVF Access, said, 

“When it comes to IVF, access is everything. IVF Access will increase the reach of such fertility treatments through a chain of clinics in India, where couples trying to conceive will have access to both technology and medical expertise.”IVF Access Founders

IVF Access Founders (L-R): Pravin Kumar Sethuraman, Harinath Chakravarthy, Naresh Rao, and Nikhil Rajmohan

The investment was made by Vertex Ventures Southeast Asia and India, and will see its Managing Partner Ben Mathias joining the board of the startup.

Phable

In May, healthtech startup Phable raised $1 million in its ongoing pre-Series A round from Inflection Point Ventures and other investors.

The startup intends to use the funds to quickly expand in the country, and scale its technology.Phable

Phable founder Sumit Sinha

Co-founded by Sumit Sinha and Mukesh Bansal in 2018, Phable operates by creating an ecosystem of patients, doctors, hospitals, health devices, insurance, and patient-care service providers.

Remedo

Remedo, a Delhi-based healthtech startup in the telemedicine vertical, raised an undisclosed amount in its pre-Series A round in May from River Rock Ventures. 

Inflection Point Ventures also participated in the round with other investors, including AngelList, Mohit Satyanand, Mitesh Daga (TPG Capital), and Aditya Vij (Kedara capital).

The startup, which runs a telemedicine platform connecting over a lakh patients with doctors on its platform, said it will be using the funds to expand to other specialities like cardiovascular, neuro, and respirators.

Remedo, co-founded by Dr Ruchir Mehra, Harsh Bansal, and Richeek Arya in 2017, connects doctors with patients, offering customised care plans, including consultation, follow-up visit reminders, tests, medicine reminders, and detailed answers to patient FAQs.

MediBuddy DocsApp

This month, Bengaluru-based online doctor consultation startup DocsApp announced a merger with MediBuddy, a digital consumer health business for enterprises. 

Combining their respective strengths, the joint entity, named ‘MediBuddy DocsApp,’ will continue to focus on enabling healthcare services like online specialist doctor consultations, lab tests, preventive health checks, delivery of medicines, etc., to customers across India. Satish Kannan, CEO of the merged entity

Satish Kannan, CEO of the merged entity

Also ReadDocsApp and MediBuddy announce merger, joint entity raises $20M in Series B funding

The joint entity raised $20 million (Rs 150 crore) in Series B round of funding led by Bessemer Venture Partners, Fusian Capital, Mitsui Sumitomo, and Beyond Next Ventures. Existing investors, including Milliways Ventures and Rebright Partners, also participated in this round. 

The joint entity said it would utilise the funding in further strengthening its doctor base, patient reach, product, and technology to move a step closer to its mission of providing high-quality healthcare to a billion people. 

Doceree

New Jersey-based Doceree, Inc. in May raised $1 million in seed funding from a group of angel investors from India and the US. The healthtech startup secured the funds despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis that is wreaking havoc on stocks worldwide.

The startup plans to utilise the funds towards customer acquisition, recruiting talent, scaling up operations in India and the US, and ramping up technology to further digitalise the physician engagement experience.DocereeAlso Read[Funding alert] Physician engagement startup Doceree raises a seed funding of $1M

The seed funding round was led by Kumar Gaurav, Founder and CEO of Beyond Codes. A few other investors from the advertising and the pharmaceutical industry also participated. The startup has also inducted serial investor Rahul Gupta to its management board.

Esperer Onco Nutrition

In April, healthtech startup Esperer Onco Nutrition (EON) raised funds from strategic investment and venture builder firm Zenfold Ventures. EON brings in a comprehensive nutritional portfolio to oncology.

With the freshly raised funds, EON plans to expand to the US and European markets, and build a world-class talent pool. The startup has already expanded its team of experts in scientific and R&D departments, and plans to add key people in finance, marketing, and supply chain teams.

EON is focused on addressing specific health conditions with special emphasis on onco nutrition, and intends to provide a 360-degree solution to the global cancer portfolio.

Zealthy

Bengaluru-based women's healthcare startup Zealthy in March raised an undisclosed seed funding led by KYT Ventures, First Cheque, AngelList, and few prominent angel investors. 

The startup plans to use the funding to further develop its product and tech, and add more Indian languages onto its platform. It is also looking to expand its base further in Tier II and III cities in India.

Anu Gupta, Co-founder of KYT Ventures, said, “Being a doctor and a woman, I could see how Zealthy’s women centricity, Tier II and III focus, and vernacular strategy have the potential to lead the next phase of digital health in India.” Zealthy

The Zealthy Team

Started in 2019 by Rishi Malhotra and Akhil Gupta, Zealthy is a women-only platform that aims to understand, share, and learn health issues specific to women in their local languages. It connects users to reliable healthcare providers for specialties like maternity, infertility, cosmetic interventions, etc., at affordable prices.

(Edited by Suman Singh)

Want to make your startup journey smooth? YS Education brings a comprehensive Funding and Startup Course. Learn from India's top investors and entrepreneurs. Click here to know more.

Original Source: yourstory.com

Kazakhstan travel blog

Despite being the 9th largest country in the world, Kazakhstan is a country that not many people are aware of and, until now, it has only attracted the attention of the most intrepid travelers.

For some reason, after hermetic Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan is the most off-beat country in Central Asia.

When I was thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that, whereas people visit Kyrgyzstan for trekking, go to Tajikistan to drive the Pamir Highway and travel to Uzbekistan for its stunning architecture, it seems that, since Kazakhstan has a little bit of everything, travelers don’t really know why you should go there.

However, the way I see it is that, if you allow enough time to visit it, you will see that, given its dimensions, Kazakhstan is a country full of contrasts and a different world from the rest of Central Asia (and the Earth), which range from the strangest things in the world, such as the Aral Sea, the Russian town of Baikonur, the extravagant capital of Astana (today called Nur-Sultan), and even a desolated town where the USSR used to test nuclear weapons, to striking mountains and epic train journeys through the endless Kazakh steppe.

Kazakhstan is one of those destinations which you really don’t expect because, in addition, this oil-rich country is also the most developed of all the Stans, home to a cosmopolitan city named Almaty, which is, by far, the most European city in the whole of Asia.

I strongly believe that this should be at the very top of everyone’s bucket list and that’s why, after spending one full month backpacking in Kazakhstan, I decided to share with you 3 different Kazakhstan itineraries, which are adaptable to any kind of traveler and duration of trip.

This guide contains places to visit so, for all the practical information, don’t forget to read my 35 Tips for traveling to Kazakhstan

 

Kazakhstan itinerary

 

In this Kazakhstan travel guide you will find:

Quick travel tips
Travel Insurance
Books
Kazakhstan itinerary

1-week itinerary

Almaty
Kolsai & Kandy lakes
Charyn Canyon

2-week itinerary

Shymkent
Zhabagly
Aksau
Turkestan

4-week itinerary

Nur Sultan
Baikonur
Aral Sea
Atyrau

More resources

 

Quick tips before planning your Kazakhstan itinerary

When to go – Despite being such a big country, the climatic conditions across the country don’t change as dramatically as in other countries, like Iran or Pakistan, for example. This means that, across the whole country, winters will always be very cold and summers very hot. However, as a general rule, north Kazakhstan will always be colder than the south.

I visited it during the month of November and, whereas the south was pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 20ºC, the north was much colder. I think that, unless you really want to explore the north or do some serious trekking, backpacking in Kazakhstan can be done all year round.

Language – Kazakh, a Turkic language, is the official language in the country. Nevertheless, Russian is the second language for pretty much everyone in the country and, in places like Almaty, is the predominant language in the city. I strongly recommend learning some Russian or, at least, the Cyrillic alphabet before your departure as, outside of Almaty, nobody speaks English.

Moving around by train – The old Soviet train is the best way of backpacking in Kazakhstan. You can go to practically anywhere in the country and it is an experience by itself.

For more information, including how to buy tickets, types of trains, routes, etc., read: How to travel by train in Kazakhstan.

Trekking – The eastern part of Kazakhstan is a prime trekking destination.

I recommend you read my guide to trekking in Central Asia

How does the typical Kazakh woman look like – Backpacking in Kazakhstan

 

Travel Insurance for Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a very safe country, with crime rates much lower than European countries.

However, regardless of where you go, you must be properly covered with the right travel insurance. World Nomads is the one I always recommend. Why?

It is the only company that provides unlimited medical coverage
It covers a wide range of adventure activities, including trekking up to 6,000m with the most basic package
It is one of the very few companies that allows you to buy when you already started traveling

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE QUOTE FROM WORLD NOMADS

If you want to know more options, read how to find the best backpacking insurance

Camels in Central AsiaThere are many camels like this one in Kazakhstan, in the most random places – Kazakhstan itinerary

 

Recommended books for backpacking in Kazakhstan

Here are the 3 most popular options but, if you want to get deeper into the region, here’s my list of the best books on Central Asia

Kazakhstan Book Guide by Bradt (2018) – This is the most complete and up-to-date guide about Kazakhstan. I love Bradt because, unlike other guides, they always give such detailed local insights, as well as many tips for the independent traveler.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON

 

Central Asia Book Guide by Lonely Planet (2018) – If you are planning to go backpacking across all Central Asia, it might be a good idea to just buy the regional book.

 CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON

 

Once in Kazakhstan – If you are looking for good literature and get some political context, this is the one I would recommend, as it tells the story of all the struggles of Kazakhstan when it became an independent country

CLICK HERE TO CHECK PRICES ON AMAZON

 

Backpacking in Kazakhstan – Ultimate travel itinerary

Below you will find all my recommended itineraries for Kazakhstan.

If you are also interested in Kyrgyzstan, read: Backpacking in Kyrgyzstan: Ultimate itinerary

Kazakhstan: 1-week itinerary

Most travelers I met were visiting Kazakhstan for just 1 week, as part of the same Kyrgyzstan trip, so it makes sense for me to start your Kazakhstan travel itinerary in Almaty and the surrounding area.

Map of the places to visit in Kazakhstan

 

Day 1, 2, 3 – Almaty – The European capital of Asia

Welcome to Almaty, the most cosmopolitan city in Central Asia.

Almaty was the last stop of my 5-month journey through Central Asia.

From backpacking in Kyrgyzstan to traveling the Pamir Highway and the Wakhan Valley, trekking the Fann Mountains in Tajikistan, traveling all across Uzbekistan and going across the Kazakh steppe, from west to east, after eating tonnes and tonnes of plov, shashlik, lagman, when I was about to shoot myself, Almaty was like a dream come true.

With an endless offer of Western-style cafés, gourmet markets and loads, loads of pubs, cool bars, and a nice craft-beer scene, I stayed in Almaty for around 8 days and it is one of those cities where you could live for a very long time.

In fact, I was thinking about moving here but, due to circumstances, I ended up moving to Georgia.

There aren’t many sites as such to visit in Almaty, but it is a city to be enjoyed through the amazing social life and Soviet-era buildings.

However, you can’t skip visiting the Zenkov Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox church built in 1904 and one of Almaty’s main landmarks; the Green Market, one of the very few accessible places to experience the traditional Almaty and, of course, Panfilov Park, a very beautiful park where a group of 28 Soviet soldiers died fighting against the Nazis.

There is actually a really nice monument in their memory. Almaty is, definitely, the highlight of your Kazakhstan travel itinerary.

Read: A guide to the Pamir Highway

things to do in AlmatyPanfilov Park, the memorial of the soldiers that were killed by the Nazis – Kazakhstan one week itinerary

 

Where to stay in Almaty

Almaty has a very wide range of both hotels and hostels but here are my recommendations.

Backpacker Hostel – Europeans Backpackers Hostel – I stayed here during my whole stay in Almaty. This is the ultimate hostel for budget travelers, including cyclists and people traveling by van. The hostel is, basically, a house, in a very quiet street but, at the same time, very close to the city center. The Wi-Fi is superb and the living-room is filled with extremely comfortable couches.

Click here to see the latest prices

 

Budget Hotel – Silk Way – This budget hotel is run by some very hospitable women. The location is unbeatable and, given the facilities of the rooms, it looks more like a mid-range hotel but it is actually very cheap. The best option for budget travelers that prefer the comfort of a hotel, rather than a backpacker hostel.

Click here to see the latest prices

 

Mid-range Hotel – D’Rami – With a very simple, but very new, furnishings, this is another well-located hotel, very comfortable and perfect for older couples and families.

Click here to see the latest prices

 

Luxury – Rixos Almaty – Built in one of the most beautiful buildings in the city, Rixos is the preferred choice for luxury travelers.

Click here to see the latest prices

visit almatyTraditional market – Always so much meat in Central Asia…

 

Day 4, 5, 6 – The Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy

If you want to visit all the lakes properly, you will need 3 days, at least. Note that, if you go by public transportation, you may need one additional day, but it will all depend on how you manage your time.

The Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kandy are part of the “Golden Triangle”, a trio of major natural attractions in southeast Kazakhstan, which also include Charyn Canyon and the Altyn-Emel National Park.

They are a system of three lakes, nestled in the hills of the northern Tien Shan Mountains. The lakes are so clear that on a sunny day, the surrounding forests, hills, and mountains are mirrored in the water!

The first lake lies at an altitude of 1,000 meters and it’s the only lake that is accessible by car. The other two lakes (2500 and 2700 meters) can only be reached on foot.

It’s an 8-kilometer walk from the first lake to the second one, around 3 hours of hiking.

The third lake is an additional 5-kilometer hike.

You can visit the first two lakes in one day but it takes, at least, two days to hike all the way to the third lake and back.

Lake Kandy is located in the same region as the Kolsai Lakes and is a true artwork of Mother Nature and one of the top things to do in Kazakhstan!

This lake was formed in 1911 after an earthquake triggered a landslide that broke the natural dam surrounding a spruce tree forest.

The water submerged the forest and formed a magical looking lake that is now nicknamed ‘The Sunken Forest’.

Read: Packing list for trekking in Central Asia

What to do in KazakhstanKolsai Lake – What to do in Kazakhstan – Photo from Journal of Nomads

 

How to get to Kolsai Lakes from Almaty

The cheapest way to go independently is by taking a local shared taxi to Kegen, which departs from Sayahat Station and costs 3,000TEN (9USD). Tell the driver to drop you off at the intersection with Saty.

From there, it’s another two hours’ drive to Saty, so you can hitchhike or take another shared taxi for 2,000TEN (6USD). Once in Saty, ask your driver to drop you off at the entrance of the park (which will cost you another 1,000TEN), try to hitchhike there.

How to get to Kandy Lake from Kolsai Lakes

Lake Kandy is only 36 km from the first Kolsai lake, so the route to get there is pretty much the same. Instead of going all the way to Saty, you have to turn left at the intersection, about 1km before the village.

From there, the road towards the lake is very rough, so you’ll need to catch a ride with a 4×4 to get there.

If you’re lucky, you’ll meet a friendly driver who will bring you there for free. If the driver asks for money, it shouldn’t be more than 1,000TEN (3USD).

Where to stay in Kolsai and Kandy Lake

There are several accommodation options, including camping sites and homestays. For more information, read this article: A guide to Kolsai and Lake Kaindy

backpacking kazakhstanLake Kandy (The Sunken forest) – Backpacking Kazakhstan – Photo from Journal of Nomads

 

Day 7 – A day trip to Charyn Canyon

If you are planning to go there by public transport, try to wake up before sunrise because it is quite a long journey! Otherwise, you should stay there overnight or go on a tour!

Often nicknamed the Kazakh Grand Canyon, when you stand on top of the cliffs and overlook the valley, you would indeed think that, for a second, somehow, you ended up in Arizona instead of in the southeast of Kazakhstan!

This canyon is part of the Charyn National Park, which stretches 154km along the Charyn River, one of the deepest rivers of the Northern Tien Shan mountains.

Charyn’s red sandstone cliffs are sculpted into the most wonderful shapes and shades that vary from deep orange to light brown.

The most famous part of the canyon is “The Valley of Castles”, named after the fantastical shapes that the cliffs resemble.

It’s possible to visit the most beautiful parts of Charyn Canyon in one day.

However, if you can spare a couple of days, it’s a fantastic experience to camp in the canyon and visit the whole area on foot or by driving around.

Read: Iran 1-month itinerary

Things to do in KazakhstanCharyn Canyon – Things to do in Kazakhstan – Photo from Journal of nomads

 

How to get to Charyn Canyon from Almaty

It takes about 4 hours to get from Almaty to Charyn Canyon. You can get there on a tour but you can also go independently, although it’s a bit of a hassle if you don’t have your own transportation.

The easiest way to get there by yourself is by taking a shared taxi from the Sayahat bus station to Kegen, the nearest village to the canyon for 3000TEN (9USD).

Ask the driver to drop you off at the intersection with Charyn Canyon. From there, it’s another 10 km of walking or you could always try to hitchhike.

For more information, including accommodation options and other tips, read: A guide to Charyn Canyon

For more inspiration, check this amazing video from my friends Cynthia and Nico from Journal of Nomads:

 

Backpacking in Kazakhstan – Two-week itinerary

This is my suggested two-week travel itinerary for Kazakhstan. Please note that, if you want, you could replace Turkestan and Aksau with Astana (Nur-Sultan), which I have added on the longer itinerary.

I didn’t give it a priority because I am not a big fan of soulless cities (perhaps, because I lived in Dubai for 3 years?), so I think that the other two places are far more interesting.

Kazakhstan 2-week itinerary map

 

Day 8, 9 – Shymkent – Traditional Kazakhstan

If you are backpacking in Kazakhstan for more than a week, after visiting Almaty and its striking surroundings, you should get on a train going west, to the city of Shymkent.

Being the most developed country in Central Asia, it is sometimes hard to experience the real traditional life in Kazakhstan.

This is not the case of Shymkent though, one of the oldest cities in Kazakhstan, used as a caravanserai and a trading center during the Silk Road times, in the 12th century.

In Shymkent, you will find the largest bazaar in Kazakhstan and one of the most important in Central Asia, consisting of loads of narrow alleys where it is extremely easy to get lost.

In my opinion, Shymkent is a place worth spending 1 or 2 days in, as there is not much to do besides the bazaar.

However, it is a great base from where to go to some very rewarding mountains, and home to the best homestays in the country.

Read: Uzbekistan – 3-week itinerary

Kazakhstan 2 week itineraryLocal market Shymkent – Backpack Kazakhstan

 

Where to stay in Shymkent

Budget Guest House – House Hostel – A very accommodating house and a lovely woman are what all travelers say about this house. It is a bit far from the city center but there is a bus just next to the guest house passing every 5 minutes and, besides, it is located right next to Aini, the bus station that marshrutkas to Aksau depart from.

Click here to see the latest prices

 

More mid-range option – Altair Hotel – This place is the most popular hotel among mid-range options, frequented by travelers from all over the world. People like the super spacious rooms, the breakfast, and the very kind staff.

Click here to see the latest prices

ShymkentShymkent city center

 

Day 10, 11 – Zhabagly and Aksu Nature Reserve

From glaciers to snow-capped mountains, alpine forests, canyons, and steppe, the Aksu Nature Reserve is an amazingly geographically diverse area, besides being the oldest Nature Reserve in Central Asia, established in 1929.

The lovely tiny village of Zhabagly is the gate to the national park and a place where you will see a sort of evolved Central Asian nomadic life, in the way that they are still farmers who live from their livestock but, unlike the nomads you meet when you travel in Kyrgyzstan, they have a more developed infrastructure, more expensive cars and, basically, they are no nomadic anymore but they live in this village all year long, some of them living in really nice houses.

Visiting Aksau Nature Reserve

The biggest downside of Aksau is that you cannot visit it on your own but you must always go with a ranger. For this, when you arrive in Zhabagly, you should go to the headquarters office, where you can arrange your ranger and transportation for the next day.

When I went there, I said that I wanted to go there on my own and, unexpectedly, they took it in a very bad way and told me to leave. I told them to please calm down, that I was just asking if it was possible but no way, you need to go with a ranger.

Unfortunately, I don’t really remember the prices, but I can recall that it was very affordable, around 20USD, including transportation and the ranger. However, I decided not to go, as I was there on my own and didn’t feel like spending the whole day with a non-speaking English dude looking after me.

Instead, I decided to stay in Zhabagly, which was beautiful enough to spend 1 or 2 days in, doing a few short hikes and taking photos of all the Kazakh farmers and their livestock. There were loads of horse farms and that is because this village is famous for its horse meat.

Read: How to travel by train in Kazakhstan

kazakhstan one week itineraryHorse farm in Zhabagly 

 

How to get to Zhabagly and Aksau Reserve from Shymkent

Marshrutkas leave for Zhabagly from Aina bazaar, located here: 42.327384, 69.630521. It is a 2-hour ride and the first one is supposed to leave around 9-10am.

However, since I went there on a Monday, the only day of the week that the bazaar is closed, I remember that I waited for almost 3 hours for the marshrutka to be filled.

Where to stay in Zhabagly

There are quite a few homestays in Zhabagly, so you should be fine if you just show up there. The one I stayed at was recommended by the lovely woman from House Hostel and it was great. I paid around 15USD, with three meals included and a very comfortable, private room.

Kazakhstan travel itineraryFriendly cows – Kazakhstan travel itinerary

 

Day 12, 13 – Turkestan – The most impressive architecture in Kazakhstan

Located 170km from Shymkent, it is very easy to get to Turkestan on a train.

The spiritual capital of Kazakhstan, Turkestan is home to the most important pilgrimage site and monument in the country, the Mausoleum of Khodja Ahmed Yassaui, a UNESCO listed Heritage Site.

With turquoise domes and blue tiles, this building has the same style as many other buildings in Iran and, especially, in Uzbekistan.

The Mausoleum is definitely stunning but, to be very honest, since I was coming from Uzbekistan and had already been traveling in Iran, I was not that impressed but please, just take my statements with a grain of salt.

Entering the Mausoleum costs 500TEN (1.50USD).

The complex is very close to the main central square, which is connected to many pedestrian alleys where the local life is going on.

When I was there, they were celebrating a traditional, local festival, where everybody was playing music and dancing in their traditional dress.

Where to stay in Turkestan

There are not many accommodation options in Turkestan:

Budget Guest House – Otyrar Gostinitsa – After wandering for a while, this was the only decent budget place I found. I didn’t like it, basically because the staff weren’t nice and the rooms not very very clean. However, it was cheap and just a 10-minute walk from the main square. Location: 43.299915, 68.259925

A nicer place – Hotel Khanaka – I came here one day for breakfast and to steal some Wi-Fi and it looked like a very nice place, besides being one of the only options which you can actually find online. This is the best option for mid-range travelers.

Click here to see the latest prices

Turkestan KazakhstanThe shrine

 

Backpacking in Kazakhstan – 4-week itinerary

If you are backpacking in Kazakhstan for 4 weeks, it makes sense to modify the order of the itinerary.

Kazakhstan 4-week itinerary map

 

Day 1 to 7 – Almaty, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai and Kandy Lakes.

(explained before)

 

Day 8, 9, 10 – Astana (Nur-Sultan) – The weird capital

In 2019, Astana was renamed after its former President Nur-Sultan

Tip – On the fast train, it is a 12-hour ride, so take the night train! The slow train takes 24 hours so, if you are on an ultra-budget, 3 days for Astana (Nur-Sultan) won’t be realistic.

Astana (Nur-Sultan) is Kazakhstan’s city of the future. 

The city’s name means capital city in Kazakh and the capital of Kazakhstan was moved from Almaty to Astana (Nur-Sultan) in 1997 and has served as such since. With just over a million residents, Astana (Nur-Sultan) is a Central Asian hub for modern architecture enthusiasts.

World-famous architects have designed several of the city’s buildings, giving it a futuristic and almost otherworldly feel.

The city is slowing coming into its own and has world-class restaurants, specialty coffee shops, and an array of sightseeing opportunities for visitors.

By the way, this is the second coldest capital city in the world, so plan accordingly for your visit!

In Astana (Nur-Sultan), you will find plenty of sights scattered around the city that will pique your interest.

Be sure to check out Baiterek, the city’s symbol and where you can even take a ride to the top and get a nice glimpse of the city.

Khan Shatyr is a mall and entertainment center that will, inevitably, be one of the most unique places you’ll ever step foot in.  The Palace of Peace and Reconciliation is also a can’t-miss place in Astana (Nur-Sultan), as it is in the shape of a pyramid and lights up colorfully at night.  

visit astanaPalace of Peace and Reconciliation at sunset – Photo from Megan Starr

 

How to get to Astana (Nur-Sultan)

By train, you can get to Astana (Nur-Sultan) from pretty much everywhere in the country, Almaty and Shymkent being the easiest places. The fast train from Almaty takes around 12-13 hours and the slower one takes up to 24 hours.

Check out routes and timetables at Ticket.KZ. A ticket from Almaty to Astana (Nur-Sultan) will likely cost you anything from 15USD for a platzkart sleeper on the slow train to 60USD for a VIP place on the fast train. 

For more information, read: Should you travel to Astana (Nur-Sultan)?

Where to stay in Astana (Nur-Sultan)

Budget Hostel – Hostelland – I can assure you that, for this price, you will never ever be in such a nice hostel, with such clean rooms and modern facilities. The staff are super friendly and you will always find a very international atmosphere.

Click here to see the latest prices

 

Mid-range hotel – Brown Hotel – For families, couples and any mid-range traveler, this is an extremely well-located hotel, right in the new city of Astana (Nur-Sultan), that serves some of the best food you will ever taste in Kazakhstan.

Click here to see the latest prices

 

Luxury – Rixos Hotel – For luxury travelers, in Kazakhstan, I like recommending Rixos because they are always placed in the most beautiful building of the city, besides having an unbeatable location.

Click here to see the latest prices

things to do in astanaPhoto from Megan Starr

 

Day 11 to 17 – Shymkent, Zhabagly, Aksu Reserve and Turkestan

(explained before but note that you can easily go from Astana (Nur-Sultan) to Shymkent on a direct night train)

 

Day 18, 19 – Baikonur, a Russian town, home to the Cosmodrome

Baikonur is history and that is why, here, you find the Baikonur Cosmodrome, which is the Russian equivalent of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This is nothing else than the place where both the dog Laika and Yuri Gagarin (the first human in space) were launched.

Unfortunately, you can only visit the Cosmodrome on an organized tour, with prices starting at 700USD, and the permit takes a few months to process.

Moreover, visiting Baikonur town is technically not allowed.

By the way, Baikonur is administered by Russia, meaning that they use the Russian ruble and pretty much everybody is ethnically Russian.

Baikonur travelAn illegal nuclear space weapon. Pretty cool stuff

 

How to get to Baikonur from Turkestan

From Turkestan, you should take a train to Tyuratam, a small village which is a few kilometers away from Baikonur.

Tyuratam is 530km from Turkestan and the journey takes 10 hours. If you don’t manage to take a night train, there are a few budget hotels where it is legal to stay in Tyuratam so, you can go to Baikonur on the next day.

A statue of a famous Russian astronaut. Probably the first one to ever go to space?

 

Day 20, 21, 22 – Aralsk, the port without a sea

Aralsk is only a 4-hour train journey from Baikonur.

In 1960s, when Kazakhstan was part of the USSR, the Russians decided to divert the two major rivers that fed the Aral Sea to irrigate an arid land to produce cotton and become one of the top world’s cotton exporters.

As a consequence, over the decades, the Aral Sea shrank almost completely, becoming an actual desert.

It is very unfortunate to think that the worst environmental disaster that ever happened on Earth is, sadly, a tourist attraction in Kazakhstan and, actually, the one Kazakhstan is famous for.

Nevertheless, I also think that, if you are sensitive enough, there is nothing wrong with coming here with the intention of learning and showing your respect.

The most important city by the Aral Sea, on both Kazakh and Uzbek sides, used to be Aralsk, a big center for the fishing industry, composed of tens of factories and a real industrial zone that used to even have a train stop.

Today, Aralsk is a hopeless town that has a port without sea and a huge abandoned industrial zone.

And also visited it on the Uzbek side and wrote a full guide: A guide to Moynaq and the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan

aral sea kazakhstanAlrask and the port without a sea

 

Where to stay in Aralsk

The famous creepy Aral Hotel, which used to be the only option in town, is now closed.

Instead, there is a one called Altair Hotel right next to the train station, hosting all kinds of people, from backpackers and any kind of independent traveler to Kazakh businessmen that bring prostitutes to their room, at least in our experience.

It is a very weird place but rooms are clean and they even have a budget dorm. They serve an OK dinner and Wi-Fi works perfectly.

For more information, including things to do and how to go to the ship graveyard, an article is on its way.

aralskAbandoned factories

 

Day 23, 24, 25 – Atyrau, the European / Asian border

Atyrau is a 20-hour train journey from Aralsk, so it is your own decision to assess whether the long journey is worthwhile or not.

The city of Atyrau is another strange place in Kazakhstan. On the one hand, it is very rarely visited and most travelers you will meet there are people overlanding to Russia.

On the other hand, it is a very wealthy city, like nowhere else in the country and it is the main town the Ural goes through, which is the official border between Asia and Europe.

If you go over any of the many bridges in the city, you can switch continents in a matter of seconds.

Other than that, Atyrau is home to some of the largest oil reserves in the country, so now you understand why the town is so developed.

It has a wide offer of Western-style cafés and international pubs filled with expats working in the oil industry and banks, loads of banks.

For me, Atyrau was sort of a cultural shock as this was my first actual destination after crossing from Uzbekistan and spending 4 months traveling is really remote destinations in Central Asia.

To be very honest, I was not expecting such a modern city.

AtyrauAtyrau and the bridge that separates Asia from Europe

 

Where to stay in Atyrau

Being an oil-rich town, Atyrau has very few budget options but plenty of nice hotels.

Budget Hostel – Joy Hostel – It is a very OK place if you are on a budget but don’t expect much of it.

Click here to see the latest prices

 

Mid-range hotel – Mini Hotel Venezia – A very cute hotel that brags about serving some of the nicest Italian food in town. It is one of the top mid-range options in Atyrau.

Click here to see the latest prices

 

Luxury – Sultan Palace Hotel – One of the most famous hotels in town, located in a very nice building, this is a good option for travelers looking for real comfort.

Click here to see the latest prices

Atyrau KazakhstanAtyrau Downtown

 

The rest of the days – It depends. What is your plan?

You want to go back to Almaty – Great, it is a 3-day journey, so you are pretty covered.

You are traveling to Uzbekistan – For this, you should take a train from Atyrau to the border town named Beyneu, which is a 12-hour train journey. For more information, read: Kazakhstan – Uzbekistan border crossing at Beyneu

You are traveling to Azerbaijan – Fantastic. Take a train to Aktau (around 16 hours) and wait for the ferry. Don’t forget to check my 2-week Azerbaijan itinerary.

You are traveling to Russia – WOW, I am so jealous. Well, it’s very easy. There are daily direct trains with Volgograd as the final stop.

Atyrau train station

 

More resources for visiting Kazakhstan

Travel insurance for Kazakhstan – As I told you before, remember to get travel insurance. I recommend you read how to get the right travel insurance for backpackers

For inspirational books, this list contains 28 on Central Asia, including some which exclusively focus on Kazakhstan.

For trekking, remember to check my packing list for hiking in Central Asia

More articles about Central Asia – I have plenty of guides to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Traveling by train – Check prices and timetables at Ticket.KZ and, for practical information, read my Train Guide to Kazakhstan.

This is everything you needed to know for planning your itinerary for backpacking in Kazakhstan. If you have any other suggestions o question, kindly post them in the comment section. Thanks!

 

backpacking in Kazakhstan

Original Source: againstthecompass.com