Travora
/ Kazakhstan
Steppe, the Tian Shan mountains and canyons: Central Asia in the raw.
The world's ninth-largest country, Kazakhstan offers Cameroonians a total change of scenery: Almaty, nestled below snow-capped peaks, is the base for Charyn Canyon (the Kazakh 'Grand Canyon'), the turquoise Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, and the Shymbulak slopes. Paperwork-wise, the e-visa is available but requires a letter of invitation from a local operator, so plan ahead. Astana, the futuristic capital, completes the picture.
The visa, step by step
How to apply
The tourist e-visa first requires a letter of invitation (LOI) issued by a registered Kazakh operator. Once the invitation is approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, create an account on the vmp.gov.kz portal, go to 'Electronic visa', enter the invitation number and your details, pay 60 USD by card, then print the PDF.
Required documents
- Passport valid ≥6 months
- Approved letter of invitation (LOI) number
- Return ticket
- Hotel booking
Good to know
- •The e-visa only allows entry through the international airports of Almaty and Astana (no land borders).
- •Request the LOI at least 15 days before arrival; the operator also files your arrival within 3 working days.
- •Use a reputable tour operator: no invitation, no e-visa.
A one-week budget
Round-trip flight from Douala / Yaoundé
450 000 FCFA–840 000 FCFANo direct flight: via Istanbul (Turkish), Dubai (Emirates/flydubai) or Doha (Qatar). ~12h flying, 13-18h door to door.
Indicative round-trip price: it varies widely by season, layover and how early you book.
Where the money goes (backpacker estimate)
Budget simulator
What to do there
Almaty: Medeu & Shymbulak
High-altitude Olympic ice rink (1,691 m) then a gondola up to the Shymbulak resort (~2,500 m).
Kok-Tobe (Almaty)
Cable-car hill with a panoramic city view, magical at night.
Charyn Canyon
The Kazakh 'Grand Canyon' and its Valley of Castles (~90 m deep), 200 km from Almaty.
Kolsai Lakes
A chain of three alpine Tian Shan lakes: the first as a day trip, hiking for the others.
Lake Kaindy
A sunken forest of tree trunks rising from turquoise water, formed by a 1911 earthquake.
Astana, the futuristic capital
Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr and the bold Left Bank architecture, via a domestic flight.
One week, day by day
- D1
Arrival in Almaty, Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Green Bazaar.
- D2
Almaty mountains: Medeu, Shymbulak then Kok-Tobe at sunset.
- D3
Big Almaty Lake (alpine lake) or city museums and shopping.
- D4
Day trip to Charyn Canyon and its Valley of Castles.
- D5
Drive to the Kolsai Lakes, hike and overnight in Saty village.
- D6
Lake Kaindy (sunken forest) then back towards Almaty.
- D7
Optional Astana day trip or relax in Almaty, return flight.
Travel checklist
A printable list (or save as PDF) so you forget nothing.
Travel checklist — Kazakhstan
Before you leave
What to pack
Indicative data (June 2026), reliability moyenne. Visa rules, prices and timelines change: always confirm with official sources before booking.
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