Packing list for Kazakhstan, travel insurance for Kazakhstan, and taking your belongings

What to take to Kazakhstan: brief

To pack and check

• Documents: a passport valid for three to six months after entry. A visa depending on your nationality.
• Money: Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). Withdrawing cash is easy in cities like Almaty and Astana, but it is quite a different story in the countryside.
• Clothing: layers are essential! At a minimum, a base layer, fleece, and a good jacket. Kazakhstan is vast and experiences temperatures ranging from -30°C in winter to over 35°C in summer. Temperatures can also vary significantly throughout the day and by location. Furthermore, a hat and gloves are useful, and a shawl/cloth is handy for visits to religious sites.
• Personal care: sunscreen and lip balm with a high SPF. The sun on the steppe and in the mountains is stronger than many travelers expect.
• Shoes: sturdy hiking boots if you are going to the mountains, along with good socks. Flip-flops or house shoes are also handy for use in houses, cabins, and hostels.
• Medicines and travel first-aid kit: hiking first aid kit, ORS, painkillers, plasters, and personal medication.
• Outdoor items and handy gadgets: reusable water bottle and sunglasses.
• Technology and equipment: the same plugs as in the Netherlands and Belgium (type C and F). A power bank for days in the mountains.
• Transport: an international driving license is useful if you want to rent a car for road trips through the steppe or mountain areas.

To consider

• An extra fleece or down jacket, even in summer for high-altitude areas.
• A buff, which comes in handy against the sun, the cold, or simply as a nice headband.
• Binoculars for wildlife.
• Offline maps for hiking trips.
• A thermos flask for train travel. Almost every long-distance train has a samovar with hot water.
• An empty stomach for the local delicacies beshbarmak, lagman, and fermented mare's milk.

What knowledge comes in handy when you go to Kazakhstan?

• Kazakhstan is the ninth largest country in the world. It is therefore useful to have an overview of the distances within the country. Traveling to another place can easily mean a very long drive.
• Knowledge of local rules is important. For instance, certain political symbols and statements are prohibited, and there are areas where you are not allowed to take photos. Generally, this is not a problem for tourists, but it is useful to know who, what, and where.
• Hospitality plays an important role, so it can be nice to bring along small tokens of appreciation.
• Also handy: English is becoming increasingly common in the major cities, but a few words of Russian or Kazakh, and possibly a small dictionary, can be very helpful.
• Knowledge of the seasons and the corresponding temperatures during the time you are going helps you pack well-prepared.

Are there mosquitoes in Kazakhstan?

• Yes, and especially around lakes, rivers, and swamp areas, they can be quite prevalent in the summer.
• Generally, they do not pose a health problem for tourists.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Kazakhstan?

• In some dry, southern regions, sandflies occur that can carry Leishmaniasis, but for most locals and travelers, they do not pose a problem.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET in Kazakhstan, or other mosquito repellents?

• Yes. Mosquito repellents are readily available in cities.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Kazakhstan, or bring it to Kazakhstan?

• Cannabis is illegal in Kazakhstan. Use, possession, and importation can lead to severe penalties.
• So, bringing it along is also illegal.