Almaty Mountain Tour: Medeu, Shymbulak and Surroundings [Medeu + Shymbulak] · 4 days

Visit to Medeu ice rink at an altitude of 1691 meters, the highest stadium in the world. In winter, the ice is perfectly level, 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, take the ascent to Shymbulak mountain resort (2260 m) by a three-stage cable car, which reaches 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 views. Return to Almaty by evening.

A walk through Alma-Arasan Gorge with a mineral thermal spring, a mountain stream, and trails along cascades beneath a canopy of conifers. In the first half of the day, stop at the Ayusai eco-park in the Maly Almaty Gorge, with wooden boardwalks, alpine flowers, and a waterfall on the trail to Big Almaty Lake. Closer to lunch, attend the famous bird of prey show at the Sunkar Center, the only regular show of its kind in Kazakhstan. A golden eagle takes off from a glove and returns precisely to the ring, a living display of the nomadic hunting tradition. Return to Almaty by evening.

Departure to Assy Plateau (2500 m), with endless alpine meadows, shepherds’ yurt camps, and the Assy-Turgen astronomical observatory. This is one of the darkest skies in Central Asia, where the Milky Way is visible like a geographic line. In the first half of the day, take a photo stop at Bartogai Reservoir, a turquoise basin among scorched mountains on the way to Assy. Return to Almaty by evening.

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