- This photo feature is for those who wish
to enjoy snow at a location that is not too far from India and reasonable.
During the last couple of months two
friends visited Kazakhstan
in the month of April and as part of Rotary Groups. One had a group size of
around 80 and the other was an all women group of 45. All inclusive cost of
trip was app Rs 1 lakh.
When I saw
the snow pictures loved them. So here is a short piece consisting of their
pictures, insights and other matter searched from the net.
The main
cities in Kazakhstan are Almaty (capital until 1997 and now financial capital)
and the capital is Astana. The very popular Shymbulak Mountains are in Almaty.
So also Charyan
Canyon is about 3 hours drive from Almaty city.
How
to reach
Flying time
from Delhi to Almaty is about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Flying time
from Delhi to Astana is about seven hours.
Pictures
of Shymbulak mountains, Almaty
Visit the Shymbulak Ski
Resort i.e. situated in Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain ranges. It was once upon a
time a training base for Soviet skiers.
To reach the resort one
has to take a cable car ride. Enroute wow view of mountains as you see below.
The ski resort has 3 levels meaning you change the cable car thrice. It reminded
me of my visit to Auli Skiing Resort near Joshimat, Uttarakhand. The resort has
cafes, restaurants, plush hotels, perfect slopes. Check if the slopes are good
for skiing.
Saw lots of Indians
playing with snow there. The best time to go is winters when there is snow. If
there is snow and skiing that you love please check if the Skiing Resort is
open before booking for the trip. It is very cold so go prepared.
View from flight.
View of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain range.
View enroute.
Higher up, amidst fog.
Cable car behind which is chair car. Had sat on similar chair car in Auli.
Slopes.
Views enroute.
Also close to Almaty is Charyan Canyon. Friend said, “It is about 3 hours drive from Almaty city and a small version of Grand Canyon near Las Vegas. Our bus went there, but some of us did not go. Those who went came frustrated because of long and tiring drive. They take you to Kolsai Lake i.e. nothing great
Charyan Canyon.
Evening dance at Almaty Hotel.
My friend said
that took a deposit of USD 50 when one checks into the hotel (for what you may
consume from room fridge etc). Many ladies did not get the money back, it was
held back on the flimsiest of grounds. Cannot say if it was a one-off or a
regular experience.
Indian
Food
Am told that
Almaty has a few Indian restaurants. However, since vegetables do not grow
there the menu is limited to Paneer, Dal (lentils) and Chana dishes. One gets
good fruits in the hotel.
Is
Kazakhstan Muslim
It is a
Muslim majority country. But, being part of the Soviet Union till recently, the
Muslims are different from what we see in the Indian subcontinent or the Middle
East.
Impact of Modi visit
“On 13 July 2015, Narendra Modi became the first Indian prime minister to have visited all five Central Asian states—Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan—during a single trip.” Mint My Uncle friend who recently visited told me that Modi is well known in Kazakhstan. Locals credit the surge in tourist arrivals from India to Modi’s trip.
For those
who want an alternate to visiting Kashmir, Himachal and Uttarakhand to enjoy
snow, this seems like a worthwhile option.
Also read
1. Kanatal
is a great place to enjoy snow
2. What
to see in Astana
3. Chadar
Trek Ladakh was memorable
4. AULI Skiing
5. Snow
at Badrinath