Discover Almaty’s top mountain highlights on a full-day tour combining nature, culture, and stunning views.
Meet your guide at 9:00 AM in front of the Abay Opera House and travel to Ile-Alatau National Park. Visit the Butakovka Visit Center before hiking through scenic pine forests to Butakovka Waterfall (about 1 hour each way). Guests who prefer not to hike can relax at the Visit Center and enjoy the mountain scenery.
After the hike, enjoy free time for lunch at Auyl Restaurant (lunch is not included), a unique mountain restaurant with panoramic views of the Small Almaty Gorge.
Continue to Medeu, one of the world's highest mountain skating rinks, then ride the cable car to Shymbulak Mountain Resort for free time to explore and take photos.
Finish the day at Kok Tobe, Almaty’s most famous viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains before returning to the city center.
Meet your guide at 9:00 AM in front of the Abay Opera House and travel to Ile-Alatau National Park. Visit the Butakovka Visit Center before hiking through scenic pine forests to Butakovka Waterfall (about 1 hour each way). Guests who prefer not to hike can relax at the Visit Center and enjoy the mountain scenery.
After the hike, enjoy free time for lunch at Auyl Restaurant (lunch is not included), a unique mountain restaurant with panoramic views of the Small Almaty Gorge.
Continue to Medeu, one of the world's highest mountain skating rinks, then ride the cable car to Shymbulak Mountain Resort for free time to explore and take photos.
Finish the day at Kok Tobe, Almaty’s most famous viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains before returning to the city center.
- Butakovskiy Waterfall: Butakovka Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls near Almaty. Located at an altitude of around 2,100 meters above sea level, the waterfall drops from rocky cliffs with a height estimated between 15 and 30 meters. During the warmer months, visitors can enjoy the refreshing mountain air and cool mist from the cascading water, while in winter the waterfall transforms into a spectacular wall of blue ice.
- Lunch at Auyl Restaurant, a unique mountain restaurant inspired by a traditional Kazakh village. Enjoy panoramic views of the Small Almaty Gorge, take photos, explore the grounds, and relax over lunch (at your own expense).
- Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort: Medeu is a mountainous sports complex located in the elevated valley of Medeu, at an altitude of 1,691 meters above sea level. Here's how to spend time in this place. The first option is to climb to the top of the dam using the Stairs of Health. The second option is to rent ice skates and glide on the ice rink; this opportunity is available until April, while the rink is operational.
- Shymbulak is renowned for its stunning mountain vistas. Travelers will be immersed in the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Tien Shan Mountains. Whether it's the snow-covered peaks in winter or lush meadows in summer, the scenery is breathtaking year-round. We will ascend to the highest point of Shymbulak via the cable car. Shymbulak ski resort consists of three levels: the Base Station, the Middle Station, and the Upper Station, where you can take numerous photos against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Additionally, you can enjoy lunch at one of the cafes or restaurants of your choice at the base stations. Lunch is not included in the tour price.
- Koktobe Mountain offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Almaty and the surrounding landscapes. Travelers can witness the city's skyline, the vast steppe, and the majestic Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains. The ascent is facilitated by special buses that operate from the parking area at the base of the mountain.
Included
- National Park Entry Fee
- English speaking guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Hiking poles
Not included
- around 10 000 tenge
- Cable car to Symbulak (12 000 tenge)
- Koktobe Hill (3 000 tenge for the shuttle bus)
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
