What to do with kids in tow?
Apart from the engrossing experiences at the Medeu Rink, the Chimbulak Resort, the Gorky Park and the Koktyube mountainside entertainment zone, there are a few more activities around the city exclusive to children.
Kazakhstan
Almaty
Almaty today is the largest city in Kazakhstan, with a current population of 1.3 million people. The city was initially called Alma-ata, from 1921 to 1993. It enjoyed the status of capital of the Kazakh ASSR (Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic) from 1929 onwards, and later the capital of Kazakhstan after the fall of Soviet Russia. The capital was shifted to the Kazakh city of Astana in 1998 to ease in administrative matters, but Almaty retains its position as the country’s financial and cultural center.
Search Almaty
A CLOSER LOOK
Top places to visit
Academy of Sciences
Address: Shevchenko Street, Almaty The Academy of Sciences is a prominent educational institution in the country, and operates a few museums in the city. Two museums you would want to check out are the Museum of Archaeology and the Geological Museum.
Museum of Books
Address: 94 Kabanbai Batyr Street, Almaty Phone: 62 22 13 A quaint little place for professors and researchers. Small building containing interesting manuscripts, scrolls, prints, ancient drawings and other written material, that give an insight into the cultural and historical development of the city.
Central State Museum
Address: Central State Museum, 44 Furmanov, Almaty Phone: +7 (3272) 642 200, +7 (3272) 642 390 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.unesco.kz/heritagenet/kz/hn-english/csmrk/engl/index_en.htm Timings: Wednesdays to Mondays 10 am to 6 pm Tickets: children 30 KZT, adults 60 KZT
Arasan Baths
Address: intersection of Kunaev and Ayteke Bi Streets, opposite Panfilov Park, Almaty Phone: + 7 (727) 272 4018 Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays 8 am to 10 pm Tickets: 480 KZT for every two-hour session
Central Gorky Park
Address: Eastern end of Gogol Street, Almaty
Zhibek Zholy Walking Area
Address: runs parallel to Gogol Street. Or down Ablai Khan Road, all the way to Kunaev
Kok-tobe/Koktyube Recreational Area
Address: Kök-Töbe (Green Hill) on the mountainside, southeastern suburb of Almaty A large recreational space on the foothills of the Zailysky Alatau Mountains, Kok Tobe has the perfect vantage points for observing the city at a distance, especially during the night time. Looking at the panoramic cityscape below you with all its glittering lights, with the winter winds howling in your ears while you sip on a cup of steaming coffee, is one experience you will never want to forget! Kok Tobe also contains a number of small-scale amusement parks, crafts shops, and restaurants (do try the shashlik!), making it a family-friendly place rather than a hangout spot for couples and honeymooners only. The area is connected to the city by means of an aerial tramway that runs from the Palace of the Republic in Dostyk Avenue (near Hotel Kazakhstan), all the way up to the actual “Green Hill” – a ten minute ride by cable car that takes you over rooftops and gardens of the old Almaty city, costing around 100 KZT one-way. You can walk back downhill if you prefer – a long, but enchanting walk. The cable car runs from 11 am to 7 pm all days except Tuesdays.
Alpine Park on the Road to Chimbulak
Address: along the same road as Medeu Ice Rink, Dam, and Chimbulak. Large, sprawling park, which contains quite a number of apple trees in addition to its towering alpine cones. Pleasant stop, especially if you catch a light drizzle.
Chimbulak/Shymbulak Ski Resort
Address: past the Medeu Ice Skating Rink and Medeu Dam, up the same trail Reception: +7 (3272) 58 19 99 Fax: +7 (3272) 58 20 30 Timings: open November to April/May
Muslim travel planner
Full guidePlan a Muslim-friendly trip in Almaty
THE LOCAL TABLE
Halal restaurants in Almaty
Naoro Bar, Restaurant & Private Room (European/Japanese)
Address: 17 Abaya Street, Almaty Phone: +7 727 291 1145 Timings: 12 pm to 12 am
Mamma Mia (Pizzeria)
Address: Gogolya 72, Almaty Phone: +7(727) 2733873 A totally mouthwatering selection of pizzas with irresistible toppings that will leave you craving for even more. The pasta and salad specials on the daily menu are also worth a try. The ambience is casual and cheerful, and service is quick and efficient.
Euphoria (Eastern European)
Address: St.Satpaeva,Hyatt hotel, Almaty Phone: +7 727 226 1808 Certainly not the cheapest eatery around town – they charge you for entrance, for sitting, for batting an eyelid – ok, maybe not batting an eyelid, but everything here costs, and costs a lot! Ask before you order even a simple cocktail. Sometimes, you may be lucky enough to catch an international celebrity dining in here. Note – make reservations, as seats are always limited.
Yesik Restaurant (Local)
Address: located inside Hotel Alma-Ata, Panfilov Street, Almaty Phone: +7(727) 272 2035
Line Brew (Grilled/Pub
Address: 187а Furmanov Street, corner of Abay Avenue, Almaty Phone: + 7(727) 250 7985 Timings: 12 pm to 12 am
Temujin/Timujin Asian Restaurant (Chinese/Japanese/Mongolian)
Address: Dostyk Avenue 63, corner of Shevchenko Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (727) 2538000
Borodino Restaurant (Russian/European):
Address: Shevchenko Street 80, corner of Zheltoksan Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (727) 272 5201 Timings: open 24 hours
Zimny Sad Assorti Restaurant (International)
Address: 106 Dosryk Avenue, above Arman Cinema, Almaty Phone: + 7(727) 264 5645 Website: www.assorti.kz Timings: 12 pm to 12 am
Borgo Antiko Restaurant (European/Italian)
Address: 11/6, Iskenderov Street, Almaty Phone: + 7(727) 293 5151 Timings: 11 am till the time last customer leaves!
Entrecote Restaurant (European)
Addresses: 92 Bogembay Batyr Street, corner of Furmanov Street, Almaty
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Where to stay in Almaty
Astana International Hotel
Address: 113 Baitursynov Street, Almaty Phone: +7 727 250 70 50 Located near the Presidential Palace in the Republic Square, this prestigious 3 star hotel prides itself in its service to guests, most of which are business travelers and delegates. Located in proximity to the business district of the city, the hotel provides ideal opportunities for exploring and interacting with the local market and clientele. A hair salon, gift shop/newsstand, snooker and a ten-pin bowling alley, and 24 hour foreign currency exchange facilities are present at the hotel. Pets are also accepted here. This humble place can be compared to the Intercontinental and the Hyatt Regency, as it provides excellent value for being just a bit overpriced.
Dostyk Hotel
Address: 36 Kurmangazy Street (Kunaev), Medeu, Almaty Phone: +7 3172 258 2270 +7 705 261 4333 +7 777 910 8547 Fax: +7 727 2724765 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.dostyk.kz
Holiday Inn
Address: 2d Timiryazev Street, Almaty Phone: + 7 727 244 0255 Fax: + 7 727 244 0277 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/ALAKZ/welcome?start=1
Hyatt Regency
Address: Akademik Satpaev Avenue 29/6, Almaty Phone: +7 727 250 1234 Fax: +7 727 250 8888
Intercontinental Almaty
Address: 181 Zheltoksan Street, Almaty Phone: +7 727 2505000 Fax: + 7 727 2582100 Website: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/almaty
Hotel Tien-Shan (Tyan-Shan)
Address: 151, Kunaeva Street, Almaty Phone: +7 3172 244 9600 Fax: + 7 727 244 6271 Email: [email protected] Website: http://ts-hotels.kz/en
Hotel Kazakhstan
Address: 52/54 Dostyk Ave, Almaty Phone: +7 727 2919416 One of the very first hotels of the modern city, founded by the Russian government, but privatized in 2005. This impressively designed 26-story building contains 500 recently renovated guest rooms, all with welcoming décor and most modern amenities. The location of the hotel at the centre of the very happening Dostyk Street makes it an ideal venue for business travelers, with access to most of the city’s commercial districts. A beauty salon and 24 hour taxi service is available. Wireless internet is available in the lobby and the restaurant/bar on an hourly rate. This hotel is the primary choice for the budget business traveler.
Premier Alatau Hotel
Address: 105 Dostyk Avenue, Almaty Phone: + 7 727 258 11 11 Fax: + 7 727 258 15 55 Email: [email protected] Website: http://alatau-hotel.kz/ Situated nearer to the airport than most other Almaty hotels (just 7 km), ensuring quick transfer via the hotel’s own cabs. The hotel is beautifully designed, with a general curved façade, meaning each adjacent guest room window on the upper floors has a view of the surrounding cityscape at a different angle, making the stay in each room unique. Some of the rooms also give beautiful views over the Medeu ski resort that lies nearby. The hotel’s away-from-city-centre location is ideal for the visitors who wantto experience the city at a distance, without all the hustle and bustle to interfere with their business or personal routine. Premier Alatau is known primarily for its excellent service – being a 3 star hotel, the service is highly professional, yet pleasantly hospitable. The staff also acts as informal guides, and any passing bellboy or waiter would be more than happy to provide you with general tips about touring the city. The lobby is equipped with high-speed wireless internet. It also contains a beauty salon, a travel agency, and a passport registration counter.
Hotel Otrar
Address: 73 Gogolya Street (Kunaev), Almaty Phone: +7 3172 250 6806 +7 727 506 830
Grand Hotel Eurasia
Address: 19а Zholdasbekov Street, Almaty Phone: +7 3172 264 8113 +7 3172 262 2693
History and today in Almaty
Fast Facts
Location:: Kazakhstan, Central Asia; Dialing code:: 00-7-727 *followed by desired number*; Emergency numbers:: Fire Brigade 01 Police 02 Ambulance 03 Gas Service 04
Annual Temperatures
a- January; High: -2 C° (32 F°) Low -9.6 C° (15 F°) b- February; High: 1.4 C° (35 F°) Low -8.4 ° (17 F°) c- March
Exchange Rates
The currency used is the Kazakhstan Tenge (KZT).
Almaty Residents
A major portion of the population is Sunni Muslim. You will find people who are friendly to talk to, willing to help you out even if you are weak on the local language. English is usually not commonly understood, but the residents help you along if you use bodily sign language and creative sounds when expressing your opinion or asking for something. For example, in a street green grocery market, you may draw a fruit or vegetable shape in the air, or point to a similar looking object, or take a drawing along. The locals usually respond with a good sense of humor, and try to help as best as they can.
Public Holidays
New Year Holidays - 1-2 January International Women’s Day - 8 March Nauryz Meiramy (Spring Festival Celebration) - 22 March Day of Unity of the Peoples of Kazakhstan - 1 May Victory Day - 9 May Constitution Day - 30 August Republic Day - 25 October Independence Day Celebrations- 16-17 December
Visa Information
All foreign residents require a business or tourist visa to enter into Kazakhstan. To gain a visa before arrival, apply to the Kazakhstan foreign mission/embassy/consulate in your region.
When To Go
Most probably, you will first hear the name Almaty if you have an international event to attend there, or if you randomly stumble upon it on a travel website. Almaty is not a very popular vacation destination, but its tourism industry is just beginning to blossom, and it has every reason to become one of the top leisure travel destinations in the next few years.
Almaty Today
Almaty today is the largest city in Kazakhstan, with a current population of 1.3 million people. The city was initially called Alma-ata, from 1921 to 1993. It enjoyed the status of capital of the Kazakh ASSR (Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic) from 1929 onwards, and later the capital of Kazakhstan after the fall of Soviet Russia. The capital was shifted to the Kazakh city of Astana in 1998 to ease in administrative matters, but Almaty retains its position as the country’s financial and cultural center.
Almaty History
Almaty is one of the few ancient cities of the world. The region in which this city lies was inhabited as early as during the Bronze Age, at around 1000 – 900 BC. This was a time of livestock rearing and farming mainly, and these skills were passed down traditionally over the centuries to settlers till during the late Middle Ages.
Useful information
Shopping
Silk Way City Mall
Address: Tole Bi Street, corner of Nauryzbai Batyr Street, Almaty Phone: 2-7777-45 (Silk Way Group of Companies) Website: http://www.silkway.kz/vk136
Silk Way
Address: 70 Zhibek Zholy Avenue, corner of Kunaev Street, Almaty Phone: 2-7777-45 (Silk Way Group of Companies) Website: http://www.silkway.kz/vk445
Zangar -TsuM-
Address: 85 Zhibek Zholy, cornner of Abilai Khan Street, Almaty Phone: + 7 (272) 273 2951 Website: http://www.tsum.kz/ Timings: 10 am to 9 pm
Stolichny Supermarket
Address: Abylay Khan Avenue, corner of Kabanbai Batyr, Almaty Phone: + 7 (272) 266 2555
Ramstore
Addresses: 226 Furmanov, Almaty, Timiryazev Street, near Atakent Expo Centre, Almaty
Mega Center
Address: Rozybakiev 247A, corner of Al-Farabi Avenue, Bostandyk district, Almaty Phone: 8 (727) 232 25 04 8 (727) 232 25 05 Email: [email protected] Website: http://almaty.megacenter.kz/eng/
Promenade
Address: Abai Avenue, corner of Baitursynov Street, Almaty A delightful and inexpensive little shopping mall, with a turquoise/emerald glass façade and a tilting blue roof, located right in front of the Almaty Central Stadium. It is one of the smaller general everyday supermarkets where you can easily find items of daily use. It also contains a few more expensive stores selling clothes and fashion accessories, like an outlet of the Longines Swiss Watch Company. Other accessories include footwear, cosmetics and perfumes.
Dacmapxah
Address: Gogol Street, Almaty Located on Gogol Street, between Abilai Avenue and Panfilov, just south of TsUM, Dacmapxah offers convenience and satisfaction to the budget shopper. A huge selection of fresh, frozen, and canned eatables, alcoholic and fresh-fruit beverages, household appliances and consumer products, and small items of daily use are available at humble prices. The place is open 24 hours, and accepts all major credit cards.
Meloman
Address: 58 Gogol Street, Almaty Phone: + 7 (727) 273 1024 Part of a local chain of entertainment stores selling and Kazakh movies. This outlet is located next to Dacmapxah. Several other Meloman stores are also present around Almaty – one is at the Silk Way City Mall, but prices there are higher than at this store. The place is open 24 hours. All major credit cards are accepted.
Green Bazaar
Address: Zhibek Zholy, between Pushkin and Kaldayakov, Almaty Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays, 9 am to 8 pm The Green Bazaar, also called the 'Zelyoni/Zelyony/Zeleny Bazaar' in Russian, is a popular, centrally located permanent flea market that brings together people and products from all around Asia, the Far East, and the world. Much like any other Asian Bazaar right from the tales of Marco Polo and the imperial colonies, this bazaar sells the most exciting exotic delights – fresh fruit and vegetable produce on the lower level, and upstairs, nuts, dried fruit, spices, crops and dairy products, an assortment of meat from goats, yaks, cattle, horses, lambs, and just about any mammal and bird, honey – you name it, they have it! The meat section, let’s just say, is not particularly aromatic – do not venture there unless you have a strong nose. Even if you do not want to purchase anything, a casual visit to this place will reveal the ethnic diversity within such a modern, globalized city – the sounds, sights, smells, and the many-colored and many-textured faces, all with a different dialect, attitude, and sense of humor, will surely be a different kind of experience from all your intellectual tours within the city. Beware of pickpockets on the prowl!
Signature sights in Almaty
Medeu Dam
Address: just ahead of the Medeu Ice Skating Rink A large, 6 million cubic meters reservoir, situated 1900 meters above sea level, built in 1956 to protect Almaty from frequent landslides in the spring due to melting of ice. You can go see the dam either by car or on foot – park your car at the skating rink. Going on foot is definitely a much more enriching experience – you can never get enough of the steep mountainsides, the towering forests, and the fresh smell of wet leaves and soil! A series of steps leads up to the dam. Tradition goes that you guess the number of steps before starting your journey upstream and if, on reaching the dam, your guess was right, a wish will come true (you will probably lose count of the steps along the way, but who cares – it sure is fun to try it out!) Once you reach the top, you will see what all that climbing was worth – great views of the mountainside, the river valley, the ice rink, and, further out, the outlying Almaty!
The Trail to the Medeu Ice Skating Rink
Address: About halfway to the Medeu Ice Skating Rink If you are going by car, there is a picnic spot waiting for you before (or after) you spend that unforgettable evening at the rink. About halfway up the mountainside you will come to a river crossing with a clearing in the forest and the mountain peaks all around. Stop here. It is an amazing resting spot – you might even prefer spending the whole evening here instead of proceeding to the resort! Some small snack joints have been set up with tables and chairs, and you will probably catch a few locals bathing in the cool, gushing water. Sit back and take in the experience, where the only sounds you will hear are the water and the wind. Serenity…
Medeu Ice Skating Rink
Medeu Ice Skating Rink Address: Medeu Ice Skating Rink, 15 km southeast of downtown Almaty (30 minutes car drive, 45 minutes by bus) Phone: + 7 (727) 271 6211 Email: [email protected] Website: http://medey.kz/en/
Museum of National Musical Instruments
Address: 24 Zenkov Street, Almaty Phone: (3272) 91 63 26 Designed by Zenkov in 1908, this wooden structure was formerly used as a meeting venue for military officers. It was in 1980 that someone actually gave this impressive wooden building the respect it deserved, and today it houses a rare collection of musical instruments from all over Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states, some dating as far back as the 17th century. Instruments include wooden ones like flutes, horns and harps, an assortment of bagpipes, and Dombras – two- and three-stringed Kazakh guitars. You can also listen to recorded melodies played on these instruments, which makes for quite a pleasant interior ambience. Some instruments on display are from the personal collections of national celebrities like Abai, Dina, and Makhambet. A large sculpture of the national musical instrument, the Narkobyza, is on display at the front entrance of the museum. Tours of the museum are available – ask at the reception counter.
Military History Museum
Address: 22 Zenkov Street, Almaty Phone: +7 (3272) 91 06 19 Tickets: 200 KZTs
Panfilov Park
Address: between Gogol Street and Qazybek Bi Street, downtown Almaty. Take bus # 63 & 94, tram # 4 & 6, and trolleybus # 1, 11, & 12.
Festivals and events in Almaty
International Almaty Jazz Holiday
Venue: Republic Schoolchildren Palace, Almaty.Contact: Director of the Youth Jazz Center Tagir Zaripov: +7-777-255-70-29 PR-Manager Karlygash Makatova: +7-701-755-2086 Website: http://www.jazz.kz
International Art Festival
Venue: Tenry-Umay Art Gallery, Lermontov Academic Drama Theatre, Almaty. Tengri-Umay, one of the city’s major art galleries, holds regular exhibitions of artwork from time to time and is a very happening place all year round for students, intellectuals, and the creators, collectors, and admirers of art. The items on display are usually also up for sale, and range from local to international tastes in culture, history, and just about any random expressionist art piece. The gallery also holds cultural events, concerts, programs for children, and, every couple of years, the popular “International Art Festival”.
Kazakhstan Open
Venue: Zhailjau Golf Resort, 188 Miras District, Almaty. Contact: Phone: +7 727 277 76 21 Email: [email protected]
Almaty tours and experiences
The Kazakhstan Tourist Association
Address: 71 Shevchenko Street, corner of Jeltoksan Street, Almaty Phone/Fax: + 7 (727) 279 51 13, 279 39 48, 279 49 66 Email:, [email protected]
Advantour
Address: Oxiana TOO, 28/A Begalin Street, Almaty Phone: +7 727 317 7927 +7 727 291 2270 Fax: +7 727 295 4466 Email: [email protected] Prices: depends on travel package, time of year, and type of accommodation chosen
Alma Travel Agency
Address: Office 44, 131 Ablai Khan Avenue, Almaty Phone: +7 3272 72 48 40 Fax: +7 3272 72 46 23 Email: [email protected] Website:
KazTourism
Address: Hotel Kazakhstan, 52 Dostyk Avenue, Almaty Phone: +7 727 296 0481 +7 727 291 9416 Fax: +7 727 2919963 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Website:
Almaty masjids and Muslim travel
Central Mosque Almaty
Address: Central Mosque, Medeu District, Almaty The large turquoise-blue dome visible from quite a distance beckons the faithful to prayer five times a day. As you get closer, you will begin to notice how refreshingly different the white marble mosque looks from all the grey Soviet-style architecture around the city. The 5 tall, blue-topped minarets, the calligraphy on the exterior facades, the slender archways, and the long, meandering path to the entrance flanked by grassy patches, will all captivate your senses before the richly carved stonework inside blows the remainder of your mind away.
Almaty Central Mosque
Address: Medeu District, Almaty
Taugul Mosque
Address: Auezov District, Almaty
Community mosque
Address: Sultan Kurgan, Almaty
Small community mosque
Address: Kapchagay, Almaty
Chemolgan Mosque
Chemolgan Mosque
Transportation
Metro
The metro system for Almaty was planned in 1981, and is still under development. Upon completion, it would be Central Asia’s second metro system. The first branch of the system will be launched on 31st December 2009.
Buses
Government-owned buses, trolleybuses and trams run around the city till about 10pm. The normal fare for a ride around the city is 20 tenge. Public transport is currently undergroing privatization, and routes for evhicles may change quite rapidly over time.
Car for hire
1. Dimal Car Rental: Address: 6 Rozybakiev Street 125/1 office 15, Pushkin Street 23 office 6, 050060, Almaty
Driving Tips
Navigating the city is pretty simple – most of the major streets are aligned parallel and perpendicular to each other. Therefore directions are usually given with reference to two street names, for example, drive along a major street like Furmanov, and turn left or right at a perpendicular intersecting street, like Abai Avenue.
From the airport
Transfer facility is readily available at the airport in two ways: i. Taxis can be easily hailed if you are familiar with the city and know precisely where you want to go. A single cab for 1 to 3 people to any hotel within the city costs around 3500 KZT. ii. You may opt for a car rental booth to drop you off at your location – a one-way trip for a one-time fare. Or you may hire a car from these booths for a few hours, a full day, or a longer duration of time. These include: 1. Kaz Tourism: a small car (KZT 13200), minibus (KZT 30000), or large bus (KZT 42000) can be hired at the booths. A limousine service is also available on hourly fares. 2. Rhino Car Rental: international company, so provides more benefits and generally more luxurious vehicles, but is consequently more expensive. 3. Alma Travel Agency: a variety of cars for single users or groups. Fares may differ from competitor companies, so be sure to check out at a few booths before deciding on which car to hire.
Taxis
Taxis are a little expensive, but a quick and safe means of getting around the city.
Health and Safety
Health & Safety
One often catches a minor infection or viral disease when travelling in a foreign country. Hence it is best to take the recommended vaccinations, as well as additional preventive measures, before you embark on your tour.
