Overland Kazakhstan Travel
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Kazakhstan
- 2 Entering Kazakhstan with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Kazakhstan
- 4 Gas and Diesel price in Kazakhstan
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Kazakhstan
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Kazakhstan
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
Visiting Kazakhstan
Give a brief overview of what it's like to visit. How easy is the border, how safe is the country, are there great things to see and do, etc.
Entering Kazakhstan with a Car or Motorbike
Correct as of: 2013
Required Paperwork
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Kazakhstan, application instructions and fees see: Kazakhstan Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
List the paperwork required to enter with a vehicle, including number of copies
Process at border
Briefly describe the process at the border to enter with a vehicle
Cost of entry
State the cost for a vehicle to enter
Permitted length of stay
State the permitted length of entry for the vehicle
Extension of stay
Describe the process to extend the permitted length of entry for the vehicle, if possible.
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
Describe the paperwork requirements and process at the border to exit.
Driving in Kazakhstan
Recommended books for Overlanding in Kazakhstan
Travel insurance for Kazakhstan
World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.
Vehicle insurance requirements
Third Party Liability insurance mandatory. Can be purchased at the border on entry
Cost of vehicle insurance
State the price of insurance and a time period.
Where to purchase vehicle insurance
Describe where insurance can be purchased.
Driving license
No IDP requested in 2013. Valid Drivers License from Country of origin was acceptable. This is true, but I would recommend an IDP and only surrender your actual home government driver's license if pressed.
Driving side of road
Right.
Unknown if RHD vehicles can be driven in Kazakhstan
Mandatory items in vehicle
State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)
Roads
General Road quality
Give a brief description of the general road quality. Mention if one way streets are common.
Road signs
Briefly describe the overall quality & existence of road signs for directions and hazards.
Toll roads
List the frequency and approximate price of toll roads.
Bribery in Kazakhstan
Kazak Traffic Police corrupt and routinely stop foreign vehicles looking for small bribes. Local drivers also subject to extortion if any driving infringement observed by police. Checkpoints on major roads common requiring all drivers to come to a complete stop and be assessed by the Traffic Police. Traffic Police will examine foreign registered vehicles looking for an infringement eg window tint on front windows, headlights not on at all times. If no infringement found they may look to fabricate an issue eg IDP states permitted to drive with a trailer = Kazak Police: "Where is your trailer!"
Driver will be asked for vehicle and personal documentation and these held by the Traffic Police officer as leverage. Usually the driver will be asked to join the officer in the Police vehicle, a fine and 'paperwork' and often a 'requirement' to join the officer at the Police station will be threatened, the officer will then wait for a counter offer from the driver. Negotiating the size of the fine/bribe is acceptable. The officer will be looking for cash - a payment around Error in price tag: The currency attribute must be specified. was usually sufficient in 2013.
Checkpoints
Frequent Police checkpoints; multiple checkpoints usually on entering/exiting larger towns and usually a single checkpoint on the main road/highway for small towns.
Traveling with pets
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gas and Diesel price in Kazakhstan
Last updated: October 2012
Currency and unit to display:
Gasoline Grade | Price |
---|---|
Unleaded | €0.70 EUR per Liter[1] |
Diesel | €0.50 EUR per Liter[1] |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
Briefly describe if gas shortages are known to occur.
Also state the approximate average distance between gas stations. This is a very rough estimate.
Gas and Diesel Quality
Diesel quality appeared good in 2013 with frequent new and modern service stations along major highways.
Diesel 350ppm in 2013.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.
Vehicle parking
Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.
Special driving considerations
A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Kazakhstan - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Kazakhstan
Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.
Camping guide books
List and link to books specifically for camping.
Drinking water
Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Kazakhstan
GPS Maps of Kazakhstan
Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Kazakhstan
- iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.
Special Overland Travel interests
List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Kazakhstan
Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.
Helpful External links
Add any helpful external links here.
- Kazakhstan: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Kazakhstan - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Kazakhstan travel guides at wikivoyage
- Kazakhstan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia