Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography and climate, Natural history and conservation, History, Government and politics, Economy, People and culture, Language, Religion, Education Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit, Highlights, Suggested itineraries, Tour operators, Red tape, Embassies, Getting there and away, Health, Safety, What to take, Money, Budgeting, Getting around, Accommodation, Eating and drinking, Public holidays and festivals, Shopping, Arts and entertainment, Photography, Media and communications, Business, Cultural etiquette, Travelling positively PART TWO THE GUIDE Chapter 3 Astana and Akmola Region Astana, Around Astana, Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve, Kokshetau, Borovoye, Kokshetau National Park Chapter 4 Almaty History, Getting there and away, Getting around, Tourist information, tour operators and tour guides, Where to stay, Where to eat and drink, Entertainment and nightlife, Shopping, Other practicalities, What to see and do, Ile Alatau National Park Chapter 5 The Southeast West of Almaty, East of Almaty, The far southeast, Around Lake Kapchagai , Altyn Emel National Park, Zharkent, Taldykorgan, The Dzhungarsky Alatau Mountains, Taraz Chapter 6 Central Kazakhstan Karaganda, Temirtau, KARLAG, Karkaraly , Zhezkazgan , Ulytau , Lake Balkhash Chapter 7 The East Semey, Chingistau, Kurchatov, Oskemen, The Altai Mountains Chapter 8 The North Pavlodar, Around Pavlodar, Ekibastuz, Bayanaul, Petropavl, Kokshetau National Park, Kostanai, Along the Tobol Chapter 9 The Northwest Aktobe, Oral, Around Oral Chapter 10 The West Atyrau, Aktau, Fort Shevchenko, East of Fort Shevchenko, Southeast of Aktau Chapter 11 The South Aralsk, Baikonur, Korkut Ata Monument, Kyzylorda, Turkestan, Shymkent, Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve, Zhabagly, Turar Ryskulov Appendix 1 language Appendix 2 Glossary Appendix 3 Further Information Index.