By far the largest of the ‘stans’, Kazakhstan has the Caspian Sea on its western side, the Aral Sea in its south-western corner, and a topography ranging from mountains to plains and deserts. The native Kazakhs, a mix of nomadic Mongol and Turkic tribes, have rarely united as single nation in the past.

Kazakhstan’s cities are surprisingly modern and both Astana, the capital, and the former capital Almaty, are tree-lined and set against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains. Within 30km of Almaty it is possible to see everything from desert valleys to snowy peaks and the rare ‘sighing’ sand dunes.