Caravanserai

Talking about Central Asia with Rachael

Caravanserai

On May 13, we spoke to Rachael about her recent solo travels to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Here is a recording from the talk.

Questions and answers

(Here is a summary of our discussions)

Are there direct flights from Singapore/Vietnam to Almaty?
Answer: There are no direct flights from Singapore and Vietnam to Almaty(Kz). You can fly from Kuala Lumpur (KL) via AirAsia, which started flights late last year. Other routes include flying via China, Turkey​​​​ or India (not advisable as one needs a transit visa).

What is the cost of traveling around Central Asia?
Answer: The living costs in Central Asia are similar to Thailand or Vietnam. A return ticket from Malaysia to Almaty costs around 400to500 USD. Local expenses such as food, accommodation, and transportation are affordable​​.

How about the people?
Kazakhstan is more modern in terms of people's outlook, fashion, architecture and technology. Kyrgyzstan is more traditional. Kazakstan is also more diverse with multiple ethnicities - Kazakhs, Russians, Koreans and Germans (latter two were resettled from border areas of the Soviet Union to Kz during the World War years).

Is couch surfing safe?
Answer: Couchsurfing.com is a website where you can look for local who will host you for free. You may want to cook something or run some errands for the host in return. Couch surfing can be safe if you follow certain precautions. Look for hosts with good references and prefer staying with female hosts if you are a woman. Always inform someone back home about your location and stay in touch with them​​​​.

Do people in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan speak English?
Answer: English is not widely spoken in these countries. In cities, some people might speak English, but in rural areas, Kazakh/Kyrgyz and Russian are more common. Using Google Translate and learning basic Russian phrases can be helpful​​​​.

Should I buy a local SIM card upon arrival?
Answer: Yes, it is advisable to buy a local SIM card for internet access and booking taxis. In Kazakhstan, you can buy a SIM card at the airport for around 10USD.InKyrgyzstan,aSIMcardcostsabout4 USD​​​​.

How is the weather in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan?
Answer: The weather can be quite cold, especially during winter, with temperatures dropping to sub-zero levels. It's advisable to visit during summer if you plan to do outdoor activities like hiking​​​​.

Is it easy to use international cards at ATMs?
Answer: Yes, you can use international Visa and MasterCard at ATMs in both Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. However, the withdrawal fee might be high, so it's better to exchange currency beforehand​​​​.

How do you deal with the language barrier when hitchhiking?
Answer: Using Google Translate and learning basic phrases can help. For hitchhiking, use universal gestures like thumbs up and write the destination name on a piece of paper​​​​. Carry a marker pen and A4 size paper. Most people Rachel hitchhiked with were nice. Rachael also suggested having a photo of a “boyfriend/husband” on the phone in case some guys get too interested in you.

What are the best alternatives to couch surfing?
Answer: Free stay alternatives to couch surfing include using platforms like BeWelcome, Host a Sister. Fort those who are not comfortable with staying in someone’s house, hostels or dormitories are the default options.

How is the food situation?
Answer: Kazakh and Kyrgyz cuisine includes a lot of meat such as horse, cow, and sheep. As a vegetarian, options might be limited, but Korean food is also available in Kazakhstan and quite good. A unique drink to try in Kyrgyzstan is salty milk​​​​.

Places visited by Rachael

Wikivoyage links to the discussed countries (kind of open source version of Lonely Planet)

A big thank you to Rachael for joining us and sharing. Thanks to all the participants too. If there is any specific information you need, please email caravan@posteo.net.