Manchester to Almaty Flights

  About Manchester

After London, Manchester is the second most important city in England. The city boasts a rich industrial history since the 18th century and continues to flourish as a textile fortitude. The city also hosts a good footfall of tourist crowd thanks to its association with the football club Manchester United as well as Manchester City. Aside from the same, the city also has a slew of museums that bring back ancient history. There are traditional museums as well as interactive ones that continue to engage the tourists.

Manchester enjoys a good population as well as a thriving food and drinks culture. The city is bombarded with lovely distilleries and food joints too, which further elevate a tourist's experience. Plus, it is well-connected with the rest of the UK. The city's charm comes from its lush green expanses, and even though the weather could be a little too cold, the experience of being in Manchester is worth all the frostbites.

Best time to visit Manchester

Manchester is its best between June to August, especially if you're planning a fun trip. Although Manchester is predominantly a cold city with barely good sunlight to keep people's spirits up. However, between June and August, when the city witnesses lovely sun's rays and summer heat, there is a vibrant vibe that envelopes the spirit of Manchester. In fact, even the city calendar is packed with intriguing events. Festivals such as Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, Parklife Festival, Manchester Pride, RHS Flower Festival are some of the fun events that take place. Many performers and musicians flock over to participate while the markets are erected to attract tourists. Although the temperatures are a decent 18 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius, it is pleasant and beautiful. Just make sure to carry an umbrella during your trip as the city might see some erratic showers amid summer. Since it is the peak season, it is highly recommended that you make your hotel reservations in advance. Booking a hotel in Manchester a few months before the peak season is the only way to gain some great deals.

It's easier to get flight tickets to Manchester for cheap too, provided you book a few months in advance. Another highlight of Manchester that should be mentioned is the football season that kicks off from August. If catching a match of your favourite (well, everybody's favourite), FC Manchester United is on your list of things to do, this is definitely a good time. Make sure that you have prior flight tickets to Manchester booked to avoid complications later. The months from September through December is also favourable in terms of the weather. Even though the fall is quite cold in Manchester, the fervour of football season that starts from September and continues through these months is enough to keep you fuelled. Plus, the city also honours its culture with festivals such as Manchester Food and Drink Festival, Manchester Literature Festival and of course, Manchester Christmas Markets.

Places to visit in Manchester

For a football fan, Manchester is like a haven, especially if you're a fan of either FC Manchester United or FC Manchester City. For United fans, at the Old Trafford, you'll find fervent fans sharing the same enthusiasm towards the team and their game. It will surely be the icing on the cake if you can watch a United match which you're at the stadium. As for City fans, the Etihad Stadium would give the same zealous vibe. The stadium is known to be one of the UK's biggest stadiums with a massive capacity of 55,000 seats for fervent spectators. From here, you will be thrilled to visit the National Football Museum, which is a six-storey glass structure that celebrates the sport and exhibits a plethora of collections from whatever has been retrieved. From trophies to exhibits on stadiums, there are many interesting collections that will marvel you. Once the football fanfare subsides, you might want to check out some of the other tourist attractions in Manchester. These include The Lowry (an amalgam of art gallery and theatre), Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester Museum, Whitworth Art Gallery, People's History Museum, Museum of Transport, to name a few.

Things to do in Manchester

The first and foremost thing for you to do in Manchester after all the sightseeing would be to indulge in some brewery and distillery hopping. Manchester has a plethora of options where you can hang out and enjoy the food and liquor culture. Chinatown is the second-best place to be in to explore more in the said zone. You will be amazed by the lively atmosphere of the streets here. John Rylands Library is another amazing place where you can get lost amid books and documents. They are interesting and will keep you engaged with their compelling collection. A fun and satiating retail therapy at Afflecks is also something that would be of interest to you. You can also opt for a Manchester Hop-On bus tour to sightsee some more of the locales and interact with fellow tourists.

Food and Restaurants in Manchester

Manchester's food culture is quite thriving and something worth indulging in, when in the city. their food halls and market places are a trip that will pique your interest. In fact, you should head to Altrincham Market to get the best of food hall experiences. At Altrincham, you can find some amazing purveyors. You can further elevate your experience at the GRUB Food Fair where you will be blessed with some eccentric but astounding street food as well as craft beer. During your food excursion, do not miss out The Corn Exchange. The establishment basically holds multitudes of restaurants from around the world. The city also has lip-smacking Indian cuisine that you simply cannot miss. Manchester has a soft spot for Indian curry and delicacies and celebrates the same. Curry Mile is one such place where you will find the highest cluster of Asian restaurants. It is for being one of the only places in all of the United Kingdom to have so many Asian establishments concentrated in one spot.

Further in your food expedition, get yourself some lovely pints of beer at The Oakfield, located in Chester Zoo. You should also visit The Eagle Inn, situated in Salford, where they make delicious craft beer. It is close to the Victoria train station, so your transport after some drinks is also quite sorted. While these are basic bars and British pubs, for a posh experience, check out Cloud 23, located at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate. It has the city's coolest view as it sits on the 23rd floor of the Hilton hotel. The place offers appetizers and finger food that go well with alcohol. Manchester has nearly 30 breweries so you can imagine the number of places you need to check off your list to cover them. As an expansion to your brewery-hopping expedition, you can check out Dunham Massey Brewing Company and Martland Mill Brewery. For some British feels interspersed with international cuisine, head to The Laundrette Chorlton. As for some tasty steak, visit Dakota Bar and Grill. The city also has seafood kitchens that would add to your food experiences. The Hip Hop Chip Shop is one such place to serve the classic fish and chips with good beer.

How to reach Manchester (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to Manchester from India is excellent with a lew of flights flying regularly. After London, Manchester is the second city in the UK that sees a high demand from India. Metropolitan Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore have regular flights to Manchester. Although usually, there are regular direct flights reaching Manchester from India, sometimes due to their unavailability, connecting flights are considered. There are connecting flights from London to Manchester, which is quite convenient. Many people tend to take direct flights to London, and from here, they opt for rental cars or other local transport. Manchester Airport has great connectivity to the city as there are express trains networking between the airport and the city. Aside from London, many also choose to fly to Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and take a taxi cab from there to reach Manchester. These methods are usually taken up by budget-travellers. Some of the airlines that fly from India to Manchester include British Airways, Thomas Chook Airlines, Condor and Thomson Airways.

These flights to Manchester usually take the popular air route via Europe to reach the city. Since that is the most viable option, plus comes with airports where you can acquire connecting flights. Cities such as Paris, Munich, Zurich, Dubai, etc., have flights connecting to Manchester or London. The accommodation options in Manchester are extravagant. If you do want to experience the fancy living, you should book your hotels in one of Manchester's swanky choices such as Crowne Plaza Hotel or The Edwardian Manchester, a Radisson Collection Hotel, to name a few. You will be overwhelmed and amazed by the exquisite rooms and their services. They don't come cheap though so booking hotels in Manchester way before the trip would be ideal.

  About Almaty

Kazakhstan's largest metropolis, Almaty, is the capital of the country. The gorgeous city is nestled on the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. It is considered to be one of the perfect places for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. It is located in Central Asia and holds tremendous historical and cultural significance. Not to mention, it is soon rising to be one of the best tourist destinations in the world for winter.

Best time to visit Almaty

Almaty's geographical features make it a cold city that is best visited during their summers. The average temperature in Almaty ranges from 22 degree Celsius to 27 degree Celsius. The city is known to see extreme winters that often see a negative temperature too. Hence, winters would be quite risky and unfavourable for a trip to Almaty. In contrast, the summers get rather hot with temperatures that could reach a high of 30 degree Celsius too. November to January see a massive drop in the city's temperatures and are not favourable for a trip. You might have to deal with the consequences of excess cold such as frostbites, difficulty in breathing and other such health hazards. Hence, these months need to be avoided. The city's tourism continues to see action as many folks who wish to indulge in winter activities do flock over to the city. You will find many tourists opting for skiing and other winter-related activities, head to the city. The city is not completely shut during winters as there is scope for tourism-related activities.

However, there are fewer hotels open for business. The hospitality industry doesn't see a tremendous dip as such because tourists who want to indulge in adventure sports do arrive in the city. The winters often stretch to April too. You should know though that April is the onset of monsoons in the city. April to May sees rainfall in the city. These two are the wettest months in the year and receive quite heavy rainfall. The summer months are very pleasant with temperatures often reaching 30 degree Celsius. Since a majority of the crowd visit Almaty for their winter sports, the summer sees less tourism. But it does open avenues for more adventure activities as many take to the trekking trails or indulge in the food and cultural heritages of Almaty. The summers do get very hot as it is humid as well. However, June to September is considered the best time to visit Almaty. The weather is pleasant, and you can explore more of the rocky terrains and other lovely locales of the city. It is ideal for sightseeing and other tourist activities.

Places to visit in Almaty

One of the biggest highlights of Almaty is the Big Almaty Lake. The exquisitely blue water is a natural reservoir and surrounded by the Trans-Ili Alatau. The place is too beautiful for words. Kok Tobe is one of the most famous attractions in Almaty. The recreation area is perched atop a mountain and makes way for several outdoor activities. YOU should also visit the Park 28 Panfilovtsev. The place has been reserved to honour some soldiers from the Almaty infantry who perished during the German invasion in Moscow. The place has historical significance and should definitely be explored. Another lovely place to check out would be the Zenkov Cathedral. It is constructed in the complex of Panfilov Park. The cathedral has been constructed by wood but without the use of nails. You should definitely visit the First President Park. The gigantic complex is beautifully constructed and has been opened for the public recently. It is an open space that is aesthetically gifted with exquisite fountains, bushes, green grasses and more.

Things to do in Almaty

To indulge in some of the fun ice skating and skiing, you should visit the Medeo. The place is perfect for those who wish to get their adrenaline-charged by taking up winter sports. Medeo is actually on the outskirts of Almaty and located about 1,691 meters above sea level. The place is always freezing with snow and hence, is ideal for winter sports activities. Shymbulak is another such place where you can have some winter sports fun. The ski resort organises some ski trips and is easily one of the largest ski resorts across Central Asia. The resort is located close to the Medeu Valley and is in the Zailinsky Alatau range of icy mountains. One of the fun things that you can do is explore more of Kazakhstan history and cultural significance. The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is your place to check out. The museum brings life to some of the stories and cultural references that make up Central Asia's history. Do not miss the Ile-Alatau National Park, which is massive and has the sparkling blue Chemolgan River flowing.

Food and Restaurants in Almaty

Almaty is the commercial and cultural centre of Kazakhstan and hence, sees a thriving food culture. There are charming, quaint cafes and restaurants that will blow your mind. Much of the architecture boasts Soviet influence and the eclectic spread of cuisines is definitely worth checking out. From small food establishments to a sophisticated setting, the city has room for all kinds of tourist audience. Interestingly, much of Almaty has heavy Russian-inspired dishes. So you will find some interesting meals from the Russian kitchen with a twist of Almaty. You can start your food rendezvous in the city by checking out Gosti. It is the perfect restaurant which boasts Russian culture in its interiors and dishes. The black tea here is a speciality that you simply cannot miss. Kishlak is another cosy food establishment in Almaty that you would fancy. The decor is inspired by Central Asian designs with motifs on the walls. It has a very basic house-style cafe with an interesting spread of Central Asian cuisine ranging from Kazakh, Uygur and Uzbek cuisine.

Kishlak has exquisite dishes such as manti and shorpa, all made from lamb meat. El Mirador is one of the few international restaurants where food is served with a Kazakh-twist. The place specialises in seafood and has an array of dishes that would get you excited. They also have grilled meats with Argentinean style delicacies. If you do not wish to indulge in their style of meat and non-vegetarian dishes, then you should visit Alasha. The restaurant is on the outskirts of the city and has been constructed in the classic Timurid style, which comes from Turkmenistan. They have some exquisite dishes and fresh salads. Meat is also prevalent, and you will find them accompanied by fun Uzbek music. For a low-key restaurant and coffeehouse, you should go to Chukotka, a quaint establishment which is known to attract the hip crowd. The place has Russian, Central Asian and even European cuisine with a bar and an area dedicated to dancing. It is the perfect pub/coffeehouse you can ask for. You can further expand your culinary list by visiting Cafeteria, Traktir Medved and Gakku.

How to reach Almaty (Transportation)

As the capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty manages to receive good flight connectivity with international cities. Although there are no direct flights to Almaty from Indian cities, there is some good connectivity that can be found in other international cities. The most popular route to Almaty from India is via Dubai. Airlines such as Emirates, flydubai, Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir, Asiana Airlines, Lufthansa, to name a few, have dedicated flights to Almaty. However, to reach the city, it is essential to find the right international route to Almaty to avoid spending too much time in transit. There are many few flight options that have less time duration to reach Almaty. Often many airlines take a roundabout international route to reach Almaty, which could be very time-consuming. Hence, it is essential to pick the right airlines and route that would reduce the travel time and other concerns in terms of flight connectivity to Almaty. Emirates has the best flight connectivity to Almaty with a slew of flights that fly to the city.

The flight duration to Almaty ranges from 7 hours to 12 hours. However, depending on the airlines and layovers, this time could be extended. If you opt for cheap flights, you might end up spending over 22 hours in transit. However, to avoid the extensive travel duration, opt for airlines that has a less layover duration. The flight tickets to Almaty are quite reasonable. They range from INR 28,000 to INR 35,000. Depending on the airlines and the flight duration, the ticket prices to Almaty could change. You can further make amends in the prices of the tickets to Almaty by opting for some online deals. Various airlines have great online flight deals to Almaty that would come in handy. If you make prior bookings to Almaty, you will be able to avail these offers. You can also combine your flight and hotel bookings in Almaty to get more discounts. There are a plethora of platforms that have miles services that you can choose. These would enable you to earn miles and further spend it on a bigger and more expensive trip.