Tour of Almaty Region: Charyn, Kolsai, Kaindy, Medeu and Shymbulak [Medeu + Shymbulak] · 4 days

Free day, the schedule is arranged on site depending on the group’s wishes.

Visit to the Medeu skating rink at an elevation of 1691 meters, the highest-altitude stadium in the world. In winter, the ice is perfectly smooth here, 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, ascent to the Shymbulak mountain resort (2260 m) by a three-stage cable car, which in 25 minutes climbs to 3200 meters and opens a full panorama of the Trans-Ili Alatau. In winter, skiing and snowboarding, in summer, hiking and cafes with views. Closer to midday, ascent to Kok-Tobe by cable car (1070 m), the city’s signature viewpoint. Almaty lies below like an open map, with the Alatau mountains behind your back, especially striking at sunset, when the peaks turn pink and the lights of the metropolis come on in the valley. In the second half of the day, a visit to 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 mountain honey from the jailyau, and friendly vendors who let you taste everything before buying. After lunch, a walk along pedestrian Zhibek Zholy, Almaty’s “Arbat,” with street artists, guitar players at sunset, stalls selling local handicrafts, and coffee shops where you can catch your breath after an active itinerary. By evening, a stroll through Panfilov Park, a shady 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 ringing of bells, and the atmosphere of old Alma-Ata, preserved inside the modern metropolis. The day ends with 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, outside are golden domes 56 meters high. Return to Almaty by evening.

Descent into Charyn Canyon and a walk through the “Valley of Castles”, 154 kilometers of red sandstones where the midday sun melts the cliffs into copper. The trail runs between jagged towers along the river, with the feeling that you have stepped onto a Western film set. In the first half of the day, an overview of Moon Canyon, Charyn’s neighboring valley with gray and bluish rock formations. An otherworldly landscape where it is easy to forget about time and your phone. Closer to midday, a visit to Black Canyon with volcanic walls and narrow passages, a dark palette in contrast to red Charyn. In the second half of the day, a walk around the first Kolsai Lake (1818 m), a turquoise surface framed by centuries-old Tien Shan firs. The ringing silence of the mountains, the rare cry of a falcon, and trout that bite right from the shore. After lunch, a visit to Kaindy Lake, formed after the 1911 earthquake. Fir trunks rise from the water like the masts of a sunken fleet, and the turquoise surface between them makes this a place outside of time, one of the most recognizable images of Kazakhstan. Return to Almaty by evening.

The famous bird of prey show at the Sunkar Falconry Center, the only regular show of its kind in Kazakhstan. A golden eagle takes off from the glove and returns precisely to the ring, the ancient nomadic art of hunting brought to life.