2025 The 5 Stans: Kazakhstan, Almaty

We arrived in Kazakhstan, our 5th Stan. It was only an hour or so trip to the border, but again a slow crossing. This crossing has not long opened but what a process it was. It was -2C degrees, and yet we were only able to walk through 5 at a time. Not an another traveller in sight. One passport check, next to the office to be stamped out of Kyrgyzstan. Then passport checked on the Kazakh side. Next to be processed into the country. Where we we were behind the couple with visa issues in the past and seemed to have to have a long check. Then suitcases opened and manually checked. On the ground. One last check and we were in. After putting our life in our hands walking on ice covered ground. It had not been cleared on the Kazakh side.

The icy road as we left our hotel in Karakol

Beautiful, but freezing

Now in Kazakhstan

New scenery

New guide. New driver. The scenery continued to be magnificent. Either snow covered or stunning red rock formations. We stopped to look at the Charyn River. Then further on and into the Charyn National Park. Here a walk through Charyn Gorge (or Canyon) was gorgeous in the late afternoon light. It was lovely to stretch our legs there.

Charyn River.

At a rest stop

Entrance to Charyn National Park

Starting the walk into Charyn Gorge

Back up all those steps

View from the look out

We arrived in Almaty at 6pm. Passed a lot of huge grand ‘Wedding Palaces. where receptions are held. Then to our hotel. Tomorrow we tour Almaty. Nearly time to head home. What a trip!