5-Day Almaty Highlights: Charyn, Kaindy & Huns Ethno-Village

A visit to Medeu ice rink at an altitude of 1691 meters, billed as the highest-altitude stadium in the world. Skaters have it in winter; in summer the empty bowl is a cool amphitheater among the mountains, with a path along the dam and views down the gorge. In the first half of the day, ascent to Shymbulak mountain resort (2260 m) by a three-stage cable car; the full ride to 3200 meters takes 25 minutes and opens a panorama of the Trans-Ili Alatau. Shymbulak is a place for skiing and snowboarding in winter, and for hiking and cafés with mountain views in summer. Return to Almaty by evening.

In the morning, an immersion into nomadic culture at Hunny ethno-village, a reconstruction of Kazakh everyday life 70 km from the city. Among the yurts you can taste beshbarmak cooked over an open fire, watch horse performances, and get to know the nomads’ musical instruments; there is also a falconry demonstration with a berkut and its handler. In the afternoon, back in Almaty, ride the cable car up to Kok-Tobe (1070 m), the city's signature lookout point. Almaty lies at your feet, with the Alatau mountains behind your back; sunset is especially striking, when the peaks turn pink and the lights of the metropolis begin to glow in the valley. The day ends in Almaty.

In the first half of the day, a visit to Issyk Lake (1756 m), with conifer-covered slopes and clear water; the Saka royal burial mounds, where the Golden Man was found, are in the town of Esik (Issyk) down the valley. Around lunchtime, lunch at a trout farm in Turgen Gorge, where fresh fish is grilled beside the mountain river. In the afternoon, a trek to Bear Waterfall, 30 meters high, the roar of water, a rainbow in the spray, and cool air you can feel a hundred steps before the cascade itself. Return to Almaty by evening.

An early start from Almaty, around 06:30. Descent into Charyn Canyon and a walk through the “Valley of Castles”, a 2–3 km stretch of the 154-kilometer canyon, where the midday sun melts the cliffs into copper. The trail follows the river between jagged sandstone towers. In the late morning, a look at Moon Canyon, a valley next to Charyn with gray and bluish rock formations and softly eroded slopes. Around lunchtime, a visit to Black Canyon with volcanic walls and narrow passages, a dark palette in contrast to red Charyn. In the afternoon, drive on to Saty village, a mountain aul in Kolsai Lakes National Park, the starting base for Kolsai and Kaindy, and walk around the first Kolsai Lake (1818 m), a turquoise surface surrounded by centuries-old Tien Shan spruces. The lake is quiet and its clear water holds trout. By evening, a visit to Kaindy Lake, formed after the 1911 earthquake. Spruce trunks rise from the water like the masts of a sunken fleet; the turquoise surface between them is one of Kazakhstan’s most recognizable views. Overnight in a guest house in Saty village with home-style cooking. This is a long day, with most of the driving in the first half.

An early departure from Saty village and a drive of about 270 km back to Almaty, around five to six hours, so the city program starts after midday. Around lunchtime, a visit to the Green Bazaar, operating since 1875, a true Eastern market with piles of dried apricots and raisins, rows of kazy and shuzhuk (horse sausage), barrels of honey from the jailau, and friendly vendors who let you taste everything before buying. In the afternoon, a stop at the Eternal Flame in Panfilov Park, a memorial composition of granite, fire and silence in memory of soldiers of the Great Patriotic War, and an excursion to the Ykhlas Museum of Folk Musical Instruments, with a collection of 1200 dombras, kobyzs and zhetygens. The guide will play a kui, a piece of Kazakh instrumental music that is best heard live. Later, a short stop at the flagship Rahat chocolate store, the oldest Kazakh brand, with gift boxes in a 1970s design and an easy place to pick up gifts. Finish at TSUM, the Soviet department store on Zhibek Zholy, where you can still find souvenirs, felt and local clothing at a good price.