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

A visit to Medeu ice rink at an altitude of 1691 meters, the highest stadium in the world. In winter, the ice is perfectly smooth; in summer, it is a cool mountain amphitheater with a walk along the dam and views of the gorge. In the first half of the day, take the cable car up to Shymbulak mountain resort (2260 m) on a three-stage line that climbs to 3200 meters in 25 minutes and opens a full panorama of the Trans-Ili Alatau. In winter, there is skiing and snowboarding; in summer, hiking and cafés with views. Toward lunchtime, take a walk along pedestrian Zhibek Zholy, Almaty’s “Arbat,” with street artists, guitarists at sunset, stalls selling local handicrafts, and cafés where you can catch your breath after an active route. Return to Almaty by evening.

Walk through Alma-Arasan Gorge with a mineral thermal spring, a mountain river, and trails along cascades beneath a canopy of conifers. In the first half of the day, stop at the Ayusai eco-park in the Small Almaty Gorge, with wooden boardwalks, alpine flowers, and a waterfall on the trail to Big Almaty Lake. Toward lunchtime, head to Big Almaty Lake (2511 m), a turquoise reservoir just 15 km from the city center. The water changes from aquamarine to deep turquoise depending on the clouds; photo spots are on both shores and at the high viewpoint. Return to Almaty by evening.

Walk through Panfilov Park, a shaded green area in the city center with the memorial to the 28 Panfilov heroes who fell near Moscow in 1941. Centuries-old oaks, quiet alleys, the sound of bells, and the atmosphere of old Alma-Ata, preserved within the modern metropolis. In the first half of the day, visit Zenkov Cathedral, built in 1907, one of the tallest wooden churches in the world, assembled without a single nail and surviving the earthquake that leveled half the city. Inside is an iconostasis from the late 19th century; outside are golden domes rising 56 meters high. Toward lunchtime, make a photo stop at Hotel Kazakhstan, a 25-story building from the late 1970s with a huge smalt mosaic on the façade, a classic example of Almaty’s socialist modernism. In the second half of the day, visit the Green Bazaar, operating since 1875, a true Eastern market with piles of dried apricots, 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. Return to Almaty by evening.

Relax at the Oi-Qaragai eco-resort in Turgen Gorge, with alpine meadows, pine-scented air, and the LesnayaSkazka cable car (in winter).