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Kasachstan.
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Travelling to Kasachstan: what to know before you go

Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country, a vast land of steppe, deserts, canyons and the snow-capped Tian Shan mountains, with a green, mountain-backed city in Almaty and a futuristic capital in Astana. It suits hikers, road-trippers and travellers curious about Central Asian and nomadic culture, who are prepared for long distances.

Where to go

• Almaty. Kazakhstan's largest city sits at the foot of the Zailiysky Alatau mountains, with tree-lined avenues, the wooden Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park, the Green Bazaar and the Kok-Tobe hill.
• Big Almaty Lake. A turquoise mountain reservoir in the hills above Almaty, surrounded by peaks.
• Charyn Canyon. A red sandstone canyon east of Almaty, often compared to a smaller Grand Canyon.
• Kolsai and Kaindy lakes. A chain of mountain lakes surrounded by spruce forest near the Kyrgyz border.

Best time to visit

Late May to September is the best time for hiking in the mountains around Almaty, visiting the lakes and travelling the steppe, with July and August the warmest months. Spring and early autumn are good for the southern deserts and canyons, which get very hot in midsummer.

Staying online in Kasachstan

Mobile coverage is good in Almaty, Astana and other cities, along main roads and on many intercity rail routes, with 4G widely available. In the mountains, canyons, deserts and across much of the open steppe, signal becomes patchy or disappears. Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafés and shopping centres. Many everyday services, including taxis and maps, rely on local apps that need data. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.