Tengrinews.kz — Serena, a traveler from Canada, spent 10 days in Kazakhstan, navigating between cities partly by hitchhiking. Following her trip, she shared her impressions of the roads, the people, and the safety, highlighting what surprised her most.
Why she chose to visit Kazakhstan
Speaking with a correspondent, Serena explained that she had long seen numerous posts about Kazakhstan on TikTok and Instagram. She was particularly drawn to stories about its nature and hiking opportunities.
"I decided to come to Kazakhstan because I had heard so many good things about it, especially on TikTok and Instagram, and I desperately wanted to see it for myself. I’d heard rumors that the nature here is incredibly beautiful and that there are many hiking spots, so I really wanted to put that to the test," she shared.
Serena spent a total of 10 days in Kazakhstan. During this time, she visited Almaty and Turkestan, with the most memorable highlight being meeting a fellow traveler from France.
"We went on an excursion together, then spent a few more days walking around Almaty and really bonded. Together, we traveled to a lot of cool places in Kazakhstan," Serena said.
In her view, travel is made better by the people you meet along the way, and Kazakhstan offered plenty of such encounters.
"Deep down, I am convinced that the best part of traveling is the people you meet—whether they are locals or fellow backpackers like me. I had a fantastic time in Kazakhstan and can't wait to come back again," she noted.
Top highlights
Among the main advantages of Kazakhstan, the traveler listed the nature, the hospitality of local residents, the quality of the roads, and the cleanliness.
"The roads in Kazakhstan, in my experience, are excellent. Everything is very clean. And I felt completely safe—both alone and with my friend. I literally have nothing to complain about regarding this country," she noted.
However, the most challenging aspect for her was the distances.
"When planning a trip here, it’s hard to grasp the scale of the country in advance. Traveling between places takes a very long time," the traveler advised.
She also shared a video of her hitchhiking from Turkestan to Shymkent. The footage shows her catching a ride in just one minute while holding a handmade sign that read "Shymkent, free."
"They pulled over so quickly, let me charge my phone, and bought me something to drink; they were so sweet," she remarked in the video.
@travelswithrena I really wasn’t expecting that 😳 #kazakhstan #almaty #centralasia #Kazakhstan #kyrgyzstan ♬ original sound - travelswithrena
In other clips, the blogger showcased her walks through Kazakh markets and shared her impressions of the local flavor. She was most surprised by the selection at the Green Bazaar—specifically, a sheep's head and a wolf skin priced at 1,400 euros.
@travelswithrena and yes kazak people eat it.. 😳including the eyes, the tongue and the brain In Kazakh culture, serving a sheep’s head is a sign of respect and hospitality. Traditionally, the honored guest carves it and shares different parts with others, each carrying its own symbolic meaning. 🐑🇰🇿 More than just a meal, a sheep’s head represents tradition, honor, and community in Kazakh culture. Served at special gatherings, it’s a way of showing respect to guests and preserving centuries-old customs. #kazakhstan #almaty #centralasia #Kazakhstan #kyrgyzstan ♬ sonido original - Andrew
@travelswithrena someone wants to buy a real wolf ?! 🐺😂 📍Green Bazaar, Kazakhstan #kazakhstan #almaty #centralasia #Kazakhstan #kyrgyzstan ♬ son original - Udila_Udgula
How safe is hitchhiking?
According to Serena, hitchhiking in Kazakhstan is quite safe, even for women traveling solo.
However, she noted that experiences may vary depending on the region.
"In the Almaty region, I felt completely at ease. But regarding Shymkent, many locals warned me in advance and advised me to be more careful. People there seemed a bit more reserved compared to Almaty," the traveler said.
Despite this, she had no negative experiences.
Furthermore, she named Almaty the most beautiful place in Central Asia out of all the locations she visited.
"If I were to recommend hitchhiking anywhere, it would definitely be in Almaty. It’s very safe, and the views here are the most beautiful I’ve seen in my life. I love Kazakhstan!" she emphasized.
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Serena is currently continuing her journey through Central Asia, visiting Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. However, she says she definitely wants to see Kazakhstan again.
"I definitely want to return to Kazakhstan. I had so much fun here; it's a beautiful country! I think it's one of the most stunning wilderness locations I have ever seen," she noted.
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Tips for hitchhikers
Following her trip, Séréna shared several recommendations:
- be cautious. Always stay alert and realistically assess your surroundings.
- prepare a bilingual sign. Write the name of your destination city in both Russian and English.
- include an important note. State on the sign beforehand that you have no money and are traveling for free to ensure the driver has no false expectations.
- trust your intuition. Pay close attention to which car you get into and who you agree to ride with, especially if you are a woman traveling alone.
