Kazakhstan feels like two worlds stitched together: timeless traditions in the mountains, and forward-looking cities built for a very different future. In a single journey, you can witness eagle hunters in a centuries-old way of life, wander landscapes that seem borrowed from another planet, and explore a capital city shaped by technology, architecture and ambition. And at Baikonur—deep in the desert—history reaches for the stars.
Welcome to Kazakhstan: a country of striking contrasts
As the video sets it up, Kazakhstan is the land where “humanity first left planet Earth”. The story begins far from the countdowns, with rural life and skilled hunters. It continues across vast open spaces—endless plains, valleys, and deserts—before arriving at Astana, a city that has risen quickly and boldly, and finally Baikonur, where the Soviet-era space programme transformed the world.
Whether you’re drawn by culture, nature, or curiosity about technology and space, Kazakhstan delivers in wide-screen scale: from soaring eagles and nomadic tents to futuristic museums and the iconic spaceport backdrop.
Almaty: mountains, culture and a warm first welcome
The journey starts in Almaty, described as a city “born among the mountains”. The video highlights how it serves as Kazakhstan’s “cultural and economic heart”, and even the name is explained as meaning “the home of apples”.
At the airport, traditional Kazakh girls are shown welcoming the visitors, alongside traditional food and clothing. A local host, Dastan—whose Kazakhstan videos have amazed millions—is introduced as the person behind the journey’s invitation and warm hospitality.
Eagle hunting in the mountains: a living tradition
Kazakhstan’s eagle hunting is more than a spectacle—it’s presented as a living cultural tradition practised for thousands of years. In the mountains, the video introduces eagles used for hunting gazelles, foxes and even owls.
How the hunt works
The video explains a few details of the bond between handler and bird. It shares that female eagles are larger and preferred for hunting because they are “stronger and less noisy”. The eagles are shown with impressive size and talons, and the bond is described as deep—yet also temporary, with the idea that the eagle never truly belongs to its hunter and may return to the wild one day.
Golden Eagles and incredible eyesight
The video notes that Kazakhstan’s Golden Eagle is closely tied to local identity, and it refers to an eagle’s sharp eyesight—able to spot prey from extremely high altitude. Eagles are also portrayed as powerful enough to make hunts challenging for even larger animals.
Nomadic camp life near Almaty
Next comes life in a traditional nomadic setting. The video takes you through building a traditional Kazakh house and preparing a camp in the rural mountains.
Key details include how the tent’s frame is secured, and how the insulating layer is made from sheep’s hair—presented as a 100% natural material that keeps interiors cool in hot weather and warm when it’s cold.
There’s also a memorable moment: a dedicated separate tent for the eagles. Meal preparation is shown too, including digging a pit in the mountains to cook a traditional meal—so your day doesn’t just look authentic, it feels hands-on.
Lake near Almaty: scenery that looks almost unreal
Before moving west, the video visits a breathtaking lake near Almaty. The colours are described as striking, with mountains and valleys surrounding the water. The video also shares a story that the lake’s formation is linked to an earthquake that struck a former forest area, changing the landscape.
Mangystau: “Mars-like” deserts and ancient ocean remnants
To travel further across the country, the video moves from Almaty to Mangystau in western Kazakhstan—around a few hours’ flight away—showing how Kazakhstan can feel enormous even within a single country.
In Mangystau, the landscapes are presented as if you’ve arrived “on another planet”. The video connects this to the idea of an ancient ocean that disappeared, and highlights rock fissures shaped over millions of years by wind and rain.
It’s here that Kazakhstan’s natural “hidden wonders” truly earn their reputation: dramatic textures, vast openness, and a palette that feels both harsh and beautiful.
Astana: a capital built for a new era
The video then reaches Astana, the capital. A striking point is made: less than 30 years ago, the city didn’t exist in its current form, and today it’s home to impressive architecture and a bold sense of reinvention.
The video notes winter temperatures in Astana can plunge to 40 degrees below zero. Despite the climate, Kazakhstan is shown “doing the impossible”—relocating its capital and building a new city from the ground up.
Culture and style
Traditional Kazakh clothing is introduced again, with different outfits described for different events and explanations of how greetings and horses are part of everyday cultural identity. Horses are described as symbolic, loved, and central to care, riding, and even traditional cuisine.
Astana’s future: AI, innovation and online services
While Astana’s architecture is captivating, the video focuses strongly on technology. One enormous building is described as dedicated to AI, where the group meets Kazakhstan’s Minister of AI. The video links Kazakhstan’s forward momentum to energy and resources—mentioning uranium and the broader idea that AI’s energy demands matter.
Several places are highlighted, including alem.ai, portrayed as a hub bringing together talent, research and innovative companies. The video shows what it calls the “first AI museum”, a “singularity museum”, and an AI-related showcase including a first-of-its-kind AI museum experience and an AI unicorn referenced as being valued at 1.3 billion US dollars.
Learning, robots and young creators
There’s a strong emphasis on young people in the innovation ecosystem. The video describes average ages around the mid-twenties among creators, and shows dedicated zones for events, robotics, and children’s learning—presented as open 24/7 with capacity for 1,000 students. The message is clear: the future city is also an educational space.
Innovation centre and digital direction
The video also visits Astana Hub, described as a major innovation centre—a “small Silicon Valley” in the middle of Eurasia—working to attract startups, developers and entrepreneurs from around the world.
Central Asia’s largest mosque in Astana
After the technology highlights, the video shifts back to awe-inspiring scale: Astana’s mosque is introduced as the largest in Central Asia, featuring a massive dome. The video also notes details such as a carpet woven in India (New Delhi) in six months and a large glass wall made in Italy, built from millions of glass pieces.
Baikonur: where space history began
Finally, the journey ends in the desert at Baikonur, introduced as one of the most famous spaceports in the world. Here, rockets and spacecraft are described as witnessing the rise and fall of an empire.
The video’s most important historical takeaway is direct: humanity’s “very first step beyond Earth” began from this place, with the video framing Baikonur as a turning point in human history.
A difficult inheritance: the nuclear story
As the Soviet Union collapsed, Kazakhstan is described as unexpectedly inheriting a large nuclear arsenal—more than 1,000 nuclear warheads. The video states that despite standing between nuclear superpowers, Kazakhstan chose to give up the arsenal through international disarmament agreements.
Plan your Kazakhstan adventure with Sakina Tours
Kazakhstan isn’t just a destination—it’s a collection of moments: soaring eagles and nomadic craft, “Mars-like” rock landscapes, a capital city built in record time, and a spaceport where history began. If you’re looking for a trip that feels both cultural and cinematic, Sakina Tours can help you shape an itinerary that matches your curiosity and pace.
Ready to explore? Tell us what you’re most excited to see—eagle hunting experiences, Mangystau’s otherworldly scenery, Astana’s AI and innovation hubs, or Baikonur’s space history—and we’ll curate a memorable Kazakhstan journey for you.
