Introduction PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION Chapter 1 Background Information Geography and climate , Natural history and conservation , History , Government and politics , Economy , People , Language , Religion and beliefs , Education , Culture Chapter 2 Practical Information When to visit , Highlights , Suggested itineraries , Tour operators , Red tape , Embassies , Getting there and away , Health , Safety , Women travellers , LGBTQIA+travellers , Travelling with a disability , Travelling with children , What to take , Money and budgeting , Getting around , Accommodation , Eating and drinking , Public holidays and festivals , Shopping , Arts and entertainment , Opening times , Media and communications , 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 southeast , Konaev and Lake Kapchagai , Altyn Emel National Park , Zharkent , Taldykorgan , The Dzhungarsky Alatau Mountains Chapter 6 Central Kazakhstan Karaganda , Temirtau , KARLAG , Karkaraly , Zhezkazgan , Lake Balkhash , Ulytau 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 , Korkyt Ata Monument , Kyzylorda , Turkestan , Shymkent , Aksu Zhabagly Nature Reserve , Zhabagly , Turar Ryskulov , East towards Bishkek and Almaty Appendix Language Appendix Glossary Appendix Further Information Index Index of Advertisers PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION 1 Background Information 2 Practical Information PART TWO THE GUIDE 3 Astana and Akmola Region 4 Almaty 5 The Southeast 6 Central Kazakhstan 7 The East 8 The North 9 The Northwest 10 The West 11 The South Appendices Language, Glossary, Further Information Index.