Silk Route Revival

With its luxe offerings and ease of visa-free access to several countries, including India, Kazakhstan is slowly opening doors to travellers with a whole new set of handouts beyond the exotic, explores Shikha Tripathi

- Shikha Tripathi

SIPPING MY MORNING coffee that the barista brings me as I settle into my chosen corner for some people-watching, I peer outside the arched windows of my breakfast café. It's just before rush hour, and a suavely dressed officegoer walks by in a sleek business suit. Two women stop at the red light crossing, checking their perfectly done hair and nails to match the fashion labels they carry with panache. Some youngsters whiz past, standing on scooters, and they too are straight out of a lifestyle magazine. This well-turned-out crowd could easily be at an intersection in downtown New York, but instead, I'm in the ancient Silk Route region in one of its most popular cities, Almaty. It may not be the capital of Kazakhstan, but Almaty definitely is the country's most sought-after destination today, for locals and travellers alike.

For decades, the first adjectives that came to mind at the mere mention of the Central Asian country, because of its Silk Route association, were those that defined the exotic, the mysterious, and the magical.

In recent years, though, there has been a surprising shift in that perception as it metamorphoses into a place that is chic, innovative, and luxe. The country that recently hosted the World Nomad Games, which celebrate the traditional games of Central Asia, is also an upcoming destination in the region for the swankiest bars, buildings, and stores.

Those who want Almaty and are its most accessible part. The biggest crowd puller in these mountains that I'm keen to visit is Shymbulak (shymbulak.​com), and not without good reason; the mountain resort is the largest ski resort in Central Asia, with a variety of stay and dining options, and a cable car network that allows even non-resident guests to go right to the top for unmatched views.