Destination: Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan tours for seniors

Sitting at the crossroads of the world, Kazakhstan has long been a focal point for trade and communication in Central Asia. The history of cross-cultural exchange in the country has left Kazakhstan with a rich cultural landscape, with nomadic and pastoral cultural practices coexisting alongside the more cosmopolitan influences of Persia and Islamic Central Asia. The largest country in Central Asia, Kazakhstan offers diverse natural landscapes, ranging from empty deserts to the pristine green valleys and craggy peaks of the Tian Shan mountains – and of course, the vast grasslands of the steppe. Journey to Kazakhstan with Odyssey Traveller, and uncover one of Asia’s most fascinating hidden gems.

Kazakhstan Tours

Tours for Mature Aged and Senior World Travellers.

Pre-guaranteed
Silk Road specialist small group history tours for mature travellers

31 days

May, Aug

Travel on the Silk Road of Central Asia | Small Group Tour for Seniors

Visiting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan

The Silk Road is an ancient trade route linking China and Imperial Rome through Central Asia. Few areas in the world remain as unexplored or offer such richness in terms of ancient and modern history, culture, and scenic diversity as Central Asia. Our Small group Silk road tours itinerary explores the Road through remote deserts and mountainous environments as we visit key sites between Almaty and through to Samarkand over 31 days.

From A$20,995 AUD

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Mizdakhan Cemetery, Nukus, Uzbekistan

27 days

May, Aug

The Stans Small Group Tour: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan

Visiting Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan

This Odyssey is designed for the adventurous traveller, a couple or solo traveller on a small group tour who is prepared for a range of accommodation styles, for walking excursions and some long travel days in 3 Central Asian countries. The program combines experiences with great scenery, ancient and modern histories, family visits and lifestyles that differ dramatically.

From A$16,750 AUD

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Exploring Kazakhstan

22 days

Jun, Sep

Exploring Kazakhstan | Small Group Tour

Visiting Kazakhstan

Visit the largest landlocked country in the world, Kazakhstan. Once part of the Mongol and Russian Empires, Kazakhstan is where man first tamed wild horses on the vast Kazakh Steppe, the dry grassland that dominates its landscape and connects it with Europe and the rest of Asia. A escorted small group tour for mature and senior travellers, couples and solo travellers.

From A$11,995 AUD

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Articles about Kazakhstan

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Questions about Kazakhstan for senior travellers.

Explore and learn about on a Seniors small group tour of Kazakhstan and its pastoral, cultural and historic settlement.Witness a rocket launch at Baikonur .

12 Jul 19 · 2 mins read
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Silk Road

Xi'an, the Beginning of the Silk Road: Definitive Guide for Travellers

Xi’an, the Beginning of the Silk Road   The bustling city of Xi’an (“Western Peace”) in China’s Shaanxi Province is one of China’s oldest cities and perhaps also its most culturally significant: as the ancient…

29 Mar 19 · 8 mins read
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Soviet Art in Kazakhstan

Soviet Art in Kazakhstan: The Definitive Guide for Travellers

Soviet Art in Kazakhstan When the Kazakh khanate splintered into three hordes in the early 17th century, they became vulnerable to raids from Mongol tribes, primarily the Dzungars (dson, “left”; gar, “hand”) who formed the left wing…

20 Feb 19 · 8 mins read
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Kazakh Steppe, Kazakhstan

Kazakh Steppe, Kazakhstan

The Kazakh Steppe, Kazakhstan Stretching across vast swathes of Central Asia, the Kazakh Steppe covers much of the northern region of Kazakhstan, an area roughly of 800,000 square kilometers. The great steppe is comprised of…

10 Mar 20 · 2 mins read
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Touring Kazakhstan

The need to know

Getting around

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Taxis are widely available in cities, and will perform intercity trips. Minibuses are also an option, with minibuses covering short to medium distance intercity routes. Trains are inexpensive, though it may be an idea to bring food with you for a long trip, as food options can be scarce on train journeys.

Accommodation

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses.

Tour guides

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Geography, Environment, & Weather

Kazakhstan is a mostly landlocked country, covering 2,724,800 square kilometers. A third of the country is comprised of the immense Kazakh steppe, the world’s largest steppe region. The Zailiyskiy Alatau and Tian Shan mountain ranges spring up in the south of the country, while the western edge of the country is bordered by the Caspian Sea.

Kazakhstan features a continental climate, with hot summers and freezing winters. Depending on the season you intend to travel, check the weather reports and dress accordingly.

World heritage sites

Kazakhstan has 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can view the official list of the sites here (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/kz). While every site is worth a look, here are a few highlights:

Tamgaly Petroglyphs, some 5,000 rock carvings which date back several centruies and depict the lifestyles and practices of the pastoral peoples of the area
The Silk Road Network of Chang’an Tianshan Corridor, the historic former trade network linking China to Central Asia
The Western Tian Shan, the towering mountains located in Kazakhstan’s south.

Festivals & Events

Along with other Central Asian nations, Kazakhstan celebrates Nauryz, the Persian ‘New Year’, in late March with festivals, dancing and singing. Victory Day, to commemorate the USSR’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II, is held on May 9 and is marked by military parades in every major city. As a Muslim majority country, Ramadan is observed in Kazakhstan, the end of which is celebrated with the holiday of Eid al-Fitr.

Reading list

Once in Kazakhstan: The Snow Leopard Emerges, by Keith Rosten
In Seach of Kazakhstan, by Christopher Robbins
An Illustrated History of Kazakhstan: Asia’s Heartland in Context, by Jeremy Tredinnick
Vanished Khans and Empty Steppes, by Robert Wight

Eating & Drinking

Meat has always been highly prized and valued in Kazakh culture. Beshbarmak, meaning ‘five fingers’, is the national dish of Kazakhstan, featuring boiled meat mixed with noodles and spiced with onion sauce. Shashlik is another popular dish, consisting of meat cubes and vegetables skewered and cooked over an open fire or a bed of coals. Dumplings and bread products are also prominent feature of the national diet, and include baursak (balls of fried dough) and shelpek (a traditional flatbread). Beverages are generally consumed with meals in Kazakhstan, with kumys (fermented mare’s milk) often enjoyed at the end of a meal. Tea is also widely consumed in Kazakhstan, with chai and black tea amongst the most popular types of tea in the country.

Health & Safety

Generally speaking, Kazakhstan is safe to travel around, though always exercise common sense while travelling.

Electrical Supply

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adapter. Kazakhstan operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. Kazakhstan uses both the Type C and Type F plug, so be sure you have an adapter handy as needed.

Tour Reviews

The local guide, Drukpa, was exceptional value. When I was ill for a couple of days his care for me, assisted by Len, was way beyond my expectation.

Participant March 2017

Bhutan | Small Group Cultural Tour

Your chat-operator was informative and helpful. We have covered quite a few countries and seasons to travel. Full marks for that!

Philip Lee

Discovering Myanmar | Small Group Tour for Seniors

I wish to sincerely thank Len for his amazing care, good cheer and flexibility ! Len has that great combination of simultaneous organisation and flexibility, which is so very necessary on a small trip such as this. In his stride, he was able to re-design the program at short notice due to weather conditions (working closely with Drakpa) and the end result was better than the original plan in my opinion!!! It was clear from day one, that Len cared and payed attention to each and every one of us at every step of the way – going out of his way to assist those who needed it. The trust and camaraderie we developed with Len made the trip that much more special! I miss our laughs.

Participant March 2017

Bhutan | Small Group Cultural Tour

We did this tour in 2011. Wonderful, extraordinary experience. Loved every minute.

Rex and Maree

Journey through Mongolia and Russia small group tour

The trip to the Tang valley and the Ogyencholing museum were a highlight. Beautiful scenery, wonderful people and one of the best museums I've seen. That night and all next day it snowed - what a buzz. Made everything look magical and improved the scenery for the next few days

Participant March 2017

Bhutan | Small Group Cultural Tour

The tour was fantastic and well organised and well managed. · I have travelled expensively but have not with a travel organisation that comes anywhere near Odyssey's attention to detail and the comfort of its travellers. · The tour was fantastic and well organised and well managed. The transport provided was always very good and where the seats were a little narrow, the bus was big enough for us to 'spread out' for more comfort. · Our accommodation was excellent as was our local guide.I would highly recommend a trip to this beautiful country with many treasures to explore and learn about. Discover Myanmar Nov ‘15

info@odysseytravel.com.au

Discovering Myanmar | Small Group Tour for Seniors

Loved: National Institute of traditional medicine hike to Wanyditse Goemba Punakha festival – definitely a highlight Hanging the prayer flags at the pass! The outdoor picnics! Archery competition! Dumtse Lhakhang – went to heaven!!! Dzong Drak Kha (mini tigers nest) amazing views and climb Sanga Choekor Shedra (Bhuddist College) Drakpa and his team (Nima and Karma) were just amazing. Drakpa was very knowledgeable, friendly, caring and cheerful. He went out of his way to provide us with information and experiences to help our understanding of the culture and religion, he was funny and entertaining and very professional under pressure.Nima was a very competent driver, and I have never felt in safer hands in the difficult driving conditions we were in.

Participant March 2017

Bhutan | Small Group Cultural Tour

Articles about Kazakhstan published by Odyssey Traveller:

Questions about Kazakhstan.

Soviet art in Kazakhstan.

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.

External articles to assist you on your visit to Kazakhstan:

10 Reasons to Visit Kazakhstan.

Goat-carcass polo and sheep-bone marbles: Central Asia’s traditional sports.

From Yurts to Felt Crafting: Exploring Kazakhstan’s Fascinating Nomad Culture.

Responsible travel tips for Kazakhstan

  • Learn at least the local greetings to break the ice. Although some locals speak English, the more you know of the native language, the greater your experience of the country will be.
  • Carry a business card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
  • Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
  • Before departing, make sure you exchange some tenge in a range of denominations on arrival. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.
  • When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.

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