Almaty Mountain Tour: Medeu, Shymbulak and the Surroundings [Turgen Gorge + Bear Waterfall] · 3 days

A walk through Turgen Gorge with seven cascading waterfalls and trout farms by a mountain river. One of the most family-friendly routes. In the first half of the day, a trek to Bear Waterfall, 30 meters high, the roar of water, a rainbow in the spray, and a coolness you can feel a hundred steps before the cascade itself. Closer to lunchtime, a visit to Issyk Lake (1756 m), conifer-covered slopes, clear water, and Saka royal burial mounds in the nearby valley. Return to Almaty by evening.

A walk through Alma-Arasan Gorge with a mineral thermal spring, a mountain river, and trails along cascades under a canopy of conifers. In the first half of the day, a stop at the eco-park Ayusai in the Malaya Almatinka Gorge, wooden boardwalks, alpine flowers, and a waterfall on the trail to Big Almaty Lake. Return to Almaty by evening.

A visit to Medeu ice rink at an altitude of 1691 meters, the world’s highest-altitude stadium. In winter, the ice is perfectly smooth here, while in summer it becomes a cool mountain amphitheater with a walk along the dam and views of the gorge. In the first half of the day, a ride up to Shymbulak mountain resort (2260 m) on a three-stage cable car that climbs to 3200 meters in 25 minutes and opens up a full panorama of the Zailiyskiy Alatau. In winter, skiing and snowboarding, in summer, hiking and cafés with a view.