Hike the Almaty Mountains in 4 Days: Assy, Turgen & Medeu

Visit to Medeu ice rink at an altitude of 1691 meters, the highest stadium in the world. In winter the ice is smooth and level; in summer the empty rink is ringed by mountains, with a walk along the dam and views down the gorge. In the first half of the day, take the three-stage cable car up to Shymbulak mountain resort (2260 m); the ride to 3200 meters takes 25 minutes and opens a full panorama of the Zailiyskiy Alatau. Shymbulak is a ski and snowboard resort in winter; in summer it offers hiking trails and cafés with views. Return to Almaty by evening.

A walk through Alma-Arasan Gorge, where a mineral thermal spring, a mountain stream, and paths beside small cascades run under 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 and alpine flowers. Closer to lunch, attend the falconry show at the Sunkar Center: a golden eagle takes off from the falconer’s glove and returns to it, a living display of the nomadic hunting tradition. Return to Almaty by evening.

A long jeep day to Assy Plateau (2500 m), with endless alpine meadows, shepherds’ yurt camps, and the Assy-Turgen astronomical observatory. Far from city lights, the plateau has one of the darkest night skies in Central Asia. In the first half of the day, take a photo stop at Bartogai Reservoir, a turquoise basin among scorched mountains, before the jeep track climbs to Assy. Much of the day is spent on the road and on unpaved tracks. 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 and clear water; the Saka royal burial mounds, where the Golden Man was found, are in the town of Esik (Issyk) down the valley. In the afternoon, return to Almaty.