Thanks to Victor Galkin for all the hard work putting together the information for this page!
You can contact Victor and friends at the:
Horizons Unlimited Almaty, Kazakhstan Community here.
More information:
Shortcut menu:
Kazakhstan overview
Some to-go facts
Documents
Exchange rate and payments
Gasoline
Communications
Food
Security
Weather
Speed control and police
Roads
Driving at night
Maps
Basic language
Bike rental and owning a bike
With this you have official dealerships in Almaty:
Repair shops
Motorcycle clubs
What to see (Almaty)
What to see (near Almaty)
Other places to see in Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan overview
Kazakhstan is a gem of Central Asia, being a landlocked cultural and historical place with astonishing nature and landscapes: from forests and steppes to out-of-space rocky valleys.
It borders with many countries: Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and also Azerbaijan (by Kaspi Sea). Being part of the Great Silk Way it is often chosen by travelers going on around the world trip or other big trips.
It's the 9th largest country in the world with 2,72 million sq kms, but the density is low; 7 people/sq km with only 20 million people.
Astana is the capital while the largest city is Almaty
Official languages are Kazakh (mostly spoken in the West, South and Central Kazakhstan and in Astana) and Russian (spoken in the North and East and Almaty). There's a trend towards love and knowledge of Kazakh language
A lot of information can be obtained on Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakhstan
Some to-go facts
Being officially secular, Kazakhstan is a Muslim country. Not everywhere women are treated with respect.
LGBT will not be tolerated in most cases if expressed publicly.
Kazakh laws are very strict to people who try to incite national, cultural or religion hatred.
You can usually stay up to 30 days without visa (you can check up-to-date information on visas here: https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/article/details/6764?lang=en)
Kazakhstani people are often open-hearted and welcoming towards guests, trying to help even without the knowledge of the language.
English-speaking people are more often to be met in Astana or Almaty
There's no UBER or other international taxi apps. Use Yandex.Taxi if you need a cab
Food and some of the expenses are quite cheap https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Almaty
Documents
You have to take your passport with you just in case (especially if going to Kayindi and Kolsai lakes)
You have to have IDP (International Driver's Permit) unless your country has signed Vienna convention https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Traffic
Your vehicle registration (preferably to have translation to RUS or KAZ with you)
Insurance (could be procured on border crossing)
Exchange rate and payments
Official money of Kazakhstan is Kazakh Tenge (Russian word “деньги” is a derivative from this word). It is the only money which are accepted officially. Usually you can find ATMs in every mid or large sized cities.
Exchange rates can be found here: https://mig.kz/en/additional#main – it's one of the biggest exchange networks.
Most currencies that are easier to exchange: US Dollar, EU Euro, Russian ruble, Chinese Yuan
On the road it is better to have cash on you.
There are no international banks in Kazakhstan, only local ones. Withdrawal limits may apply (it is better to check with your bank). US Dollars are rarely available for withdrawal.
Kaspi is the biggest bank of Kazakhstan with their QR-code payments or money transfers via application being accepted almost everywhere>
Gasoline
GazPromNeft Station
Usually, gasoline is very cheap in Kazakhstan (in 2021 1 Liter of gasoline cost like 1 Liter of water). Current price for 1 L of 95 is around 0,50 USD
The quality though is rarely good. It is advised to use 95 or 95 Premium on widely recognized gas stations like (in the order of quality): GazPromNeft, Compass, Qazaq Oil, RoyalPetrol, Gazenergy, Helios, Sinoil
Compass Gas Station
Other gas stations may have very poor quality of gasoline
Gas stations with infrastructure are rare. Expect little availability of the quality shops and WCs.
Advise: Check your route for milage and gas stations along the route as they may be absent. For some routes it is better to carry jerry cans
Communications
While 5G is being introduced in big cities, all cell broadband coverage is limited between cities. For extreme tours CB radios are advised (26.970 to 27.860 MHz, up to 10 W are legal)
Roaming is working but it is advised to obtain a local card for Internet and calls (tariffs are to be checked on the operators' websites)
Kcell or Beeline may be the best choice in terms of coverage. Other options include: Tele2, Activ and Altel.
Kcell Logo
Beeline cell logo
There are no emergency landline phones along the roads
Most venues will have free WiFi – ask the staff for password
Food
Kazakhstan has a great nomadic cuisine, mostly based on mutton and horse. Yes, we eat horses (special breeds). Their meat is delicious and lighter than beef. In Western regions you can find fish dishes (near Kaspi sea) and camel meat as well.
In terms of food sensitive people, the cuisine is often fatty.
I recommend trying sorpa (soup), kazy (meat sausage), zhaya (salted and smoked horse meat), palaw (rice, veggies and meat), qurt (fermented cheese), bawyrsaq (local donut), lagman (like ramen). Tashkent tea (mix of black and green tea with mint and honey) and tary (tea with milk and roasted millet) have great taste too.
Palaw
Besbarmaq is one of the most famous traditional dishes but it's better to try homemade one, when invited as a guest:
Beshbarmaq
More about Kazakh cuisine can be found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazakh_cuisine
Security
Kazakhstan is generally a very secure country. In 5 years I had zero run-ins with any criminal activities.
Of course, it is advised not to leave your belongings unattended, do not leave anything that can be grabbed on your motorcycle, do not leave motorcycles in unsecured locations and without security (chains, locks, alarm etc), do not leave stuff in car where it can be seen. While locals usually do not know any cases when something like that was stolen, it is just a common sense.
Try to avoid walking in secluded and deserted area at night if it is not a city center
Big cities like Astana and Almaty have cameras almost everywhere
Emergency phones
112 General emergency line
101 Fire department
102 Police
103 Ambulance
104 Gas department
Better keep an essential medkit and fire extinguisher with you (most of the drivers don't have them)
Weather
Kazakhstan has severe continental climate.
Winter starts in Nov-Dec till Feb-Mar
Upper half of Kazakhstan usually have cold winters (up to -35 to -45 C) with lots of snow and moderately warm summer (up to +25 to 30 C)
South of Kazakhstan has mild winter (-5…-10 C) and very warm summer (+30…+45 C). If you're going through the South, July will be the hottest and most uncomfortable month. May-Jun and Aug-Sep are more comfortable
At the beginning of spring there can be a lot of floods so some intercity roads can be closed, especially in the North and Center. Avalanches could happen near mountains so some of the mountain roads are closed too.
Speed control and police
Police officers can be good cops or bad cops as everywhere.
Some of them might stop you to get to know you and your route because they are curious and open-hearted. They may give you some advice and take a photo with you.
Some may try to get a bribe from you for speeding or trying to persuade you that you have been drinking (personal experience). You have to know your rights and stand your ground if you are innocent. Be aware that giving bribe is punishable by law for both parties.
Kazakhstan Police
There are police cars with speed cameras and cameras on roads. In the cities cameras control speed, intersections (red light, incorrect crossing), lanes. If you have a fine, it is 50% cheaper if you pay it in the first 7 days.
Speed and Traffic cameras
Some of the fines are:
Red light: 39,320 KZT or approximately 75 USD
Speeding (10-20 kmph over the limit): 19,660 KZT or 38 USD
Ignoring signs or road lines: 11,796 KZT or 24 USD
Wrong parking: 19,660 KZT or 38 USD
Not paying for parking: 11,796 KZT or 24 USD
In case you need any legal help, try getting in touch with local attorney / helpline or a local motorcycle club for help
Roads
The roads are not like in Europe:
Almaty - Konaev Highway, a good road
Be aware of limitations, signs and speed limits
Google maps will show you road works – some of the roads may be under construction
When overtaking – be extremely careful
Keep an eye for potholes, cattle and pedestrians
Rgional road in Kazakhstan
Some drivers may be driving very aggressive, especially in the South. Use defensive riding or driving
In the cities be aware that drivers usually ignore bikes. Lane splitting isn't legal, but drivers usually give way in traffic jams or at the intersection
Driving at night
Most of the intercity roads are not lighted and some of the drivers use illegally installed xenon or LED lights that can blind you. So unless you're a seasoned rider/driver I will suggest avoid riding at night and/or keeping low speed.
Horses crossing the road at night are dangerous!
Apart from potholes there are a lot of accidents when speeding drivers hit cattle or horse on the highway, so be aware.
Maps
Google Maps is a usual navigator (it is better to download area for offline use)
2GIS Maps is useful in Kazakhstan
Locals usually use 2GIS – it's a more detailed navigator app
As a seasoned rider I would recommend having a paper/printed map with your route on it
Basic language
Kazakh Language books
Qosh keldiniz – welcome
Salemetsyz be – Hello (salem – hi )
Qalynyz qalay – how are you
Jaqsy – good
Menin atym ... - my name is ...
Men (you country + myn) – I'm from ...
Qayirly tan/kun/kesh - Good morning/day/evening
Sau bolynyz – goodbye / bless you
As bolsyn – bon appetite
Zholynyz bolsyn – have a good journey
English soleysyz be? – Do you speak English?
Bul kansha turady – How much is this
Keshyrynyz – Sorry
Rahmet – Thank you
Darethana – toilet
Darihana – pharmacy
Komektesynyz – Help
... kayda – Where is ...
Bike rental and owning a bike
Bike rentals are available at:
Freerider Almaty
https://www.instagram.com/motofreerider.kz/?hl=en
Prices start from 80 USD/day for Kawasaki KLE300 (limit of 300 kms a day) + deposit in USD (cash only)
SilkOffRoad Almaty
You can buy a motorcycle in Kazakhstan as well, but you will need IIN (local taxpayer number) and residence permit
With this you have official dealerships in Almaty:
KTM
BMW
Sub dealer:
Harley-Davidson
Used bikes:
Batyr motors
Japan bikes
Repair shops
There are not many repair shops in Almaty and Kazakhstan specialized in motorcycles.
In Almaty I recommend:
Artrue moto (our club's shop)- can vouch for quality
Freerider Average quality and high prices
HD Motors (Harley only) Original HD parts
Motorcycle clubs
Brotherhood of Steel
HOG Kazakhstan
Bandidos MC
Road Brothers MCC
Temir Tulpar MCC
AutoMoto Federation, Shymkent
Freedom Brothers MCC
Vespa Club Kazakhstan
Steel MCC
Motogirls_09
Huligans MC
Qarshyga Almaty Bikers
No Angels Moto
What to see (Almaty)
World record for the highest skating rink
Good for skiing and snowboarding, walking in summer, nice view on the city. Highest accessible point is 3200 m
A peak in Almaty. Nice view on the city, Kazakh restaurant Abay, small zoo, pavilions with souvenirs, The Beatles monument. Almaty television tower is nearby
A place where you can shop with veggies, fruits, meat, spices. There's also a small café with the Dutch owner
Tien-Shan Astronomical Observatory
Space Station Research Institute
Big Almaty Peak (mountain)
Butakovsky Gorge with nice natural landscapes 
Kim Asar Gorge, also nice 
Gorelnik
thermal source spa
Three bastions (mountain)
Arasan Wellness & Spa
Beautifully designed Spa center from Soviet era, separate pavilions for men and women, private spa rooms available
Museum of traditional musical instruments
Hot springs in Alma Arasan gorge
Big Almaty Lake. 
Nice view, accessible only on foot, bicycle or electric vehicles. It's a guarded water reservoir, nothing interesting
What to see (near Almaty)
Planes graveyard with old An-2 planes
71 kms
Issyk Lake
Nice nature, 80 kms
Nomad village
This set was build for a movie, 103 kms
Tamgaly Tas
ancient petroglyphs on the rocks from different eras, 110 kms
Turgen gorge
also very beautiful, 90 kms
Asy Turgen plateau and observatory
111 kms
Soviet Radiocenter Volna
old military construction, 118 kms
Tamgaly
another place with ancient petroglyphs, 168 kms
Bartogay Reservoir
very beautiful and quiet, 193 kms
Charyn Canyon
junior brother of The Great Canyon, 213 kms
Buddha stone
It's part of the ancient Silk Way. Currently being studied by archeologists, 295 kms
Altyn Emel National Park
Space style mountains, The singing dune and lots of sightseeing, 273 kms
Kaindy lake
Great place for photos of relict trees in the lake. Recommended to take Bukhanka ride from Saty, 290 kms
Kolsay lake
Beautiful mountain lake. You can also hike to Kolsay-2 and Kolsay-3 lakes up in the mountains (1-2 days). You can take a night in traditional yurt. 300 kms
Aqyrtas
ruins of an ancient city, 494 kms
Other places to see in Kazakhstan
The ancient necropolis of Shopan Ata
Ruins of the ancient city Sauran
Turkistan
an ancient city. Now it has a great tourist infrastructure and sometimes is called “a historical Disneyland”
Otyrar kalasy
an ancient fortress
Arystanban mausoleum
12th century burial site of Arystan Bab, a Muslim teacher
Akmeshit cave
as seen often on Instagram and TikTok
Balkhash lake
has incredible colors and is famous for being half salty, half fresh
Dzhungarian Alatau
is set of mountains on the border of Kazakhstan and China and is both incredibly beautiful and sometimes called a place of energy
Alakol lake
popular among tourists, beautiful and some may call it healing
Katon Karagay Natural Park
a place of incredible beauty and energy
Thanks to Victor Galkin for all the hard work putting together the information for this page!
