Almaty Tour: mountains, ethno-village and city [Medeu + Shymbulak] · 2 days

A visit to Medeu ice rink at an altitude of 1691 meters, the highest-altitude 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, a ride up to Shymbulak mountain resort (2260 m) by a three-stage cable car, which takes 25 minutes to reach 3200 meters and opens a full panorama of the Zailiyskiy Alatau. In winter, skiing and snowboarding, in summer, hiking and cafés with views. Around lunchtime, a walk along pedestrian Zhibek Zholy, Almaty's Arbat, with street artists, guitarists at sunset, stalls selling local handmade goods, and cafés where you can relax after an active route. In the second half of the day, a stroll 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 oak trees, quiet alleys, the sound of bells, and the atmosphere of old Alma-Ata preserved inside a modern metropolis. After lunch, a visit to the Zenkov Cathedral from 1907, one of the tallest wooden churches in the world, built without a single nail and surviving the earthquake that leveled half the city. Inside is an iconostasis from the late 19th century, and outside are golden domes rising 56 meters. By evening, a ride up to Kok-Tobe by cable car (1070 m), the city's signature viewpoint. All of Almaty lies at your feet, with the Alatau mountains behind; sunset is especially striking, when the peaks turn pink and the lights of the metropolis begin to glow in the valley. Return to Almaty by evening.

An immersion into nomadic culture at the Hunny ethno-village, a reconstruction of Kazakh life 70 km from the city. Yurts, beshbarmak cooked over an open fire, horse performances, and an introduction to the musical instruments of the nomads.