Day 1
Gorges of the Alatau: Oi-Qaragai
Spend the day at the Oi-Qaragai eco-resort in Turgen Gorge, about 115 km from Almaty: alpine meadows, air scented with conifers, and, in winter, the LesnayaSkazka cableway. Return to Almaty by evening.
Medeu, Shymbulak & Oi-Qaragai 2-Day Mountain Trip from Almaty
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A two-day tour from Almaty: Oi-Qaragai eco-resort in Turgen Gorge, then Medeu ice rink and Shymbulak. Included: transport, guide, eco fees, cable cars.
Two days in the mountains above Almaty. Day 1 is the Oi-Qaragai eco-resort in Turgen Gorge, with alpine meadows and conifer-scented air. Day 2 is Medeu ice rink at 1691 meters, among the highest-altitude rinks in the world, and the Shymbulak ski resort, where a three-stage cableway climbs to 3200 meters. Comfortable transport and a professional guide are included in the price, and the pace is set by your group. A private format is available on request. The tour runs year-round: in winter, Oi-Qaragai is a ski day with the LesnayaSkazka cableway, while in summer it is a day of meadow walks and mountain air.
Highlights
- Medeu — the world’s highest mountain ice rink (1691 m)
- Shymbulak — a ski resort with a cable car up to 3200 m
- Oi-Qaragai — an eco-resort in the Turgen Valley with a cable car
- A car or 4×4 is selected for the specific route
Itinerary
Day 2
Medeu and Shymbulak · the Tian Shan cable car
Begin at the Medeu ice rink, at 1691 meters one of the highest-altitude rinks in the world. Winter brings smooth ice; in summer the rink becomes a cool mountain amphitheater, with a walk along the dam and views down the gorge. Then ride up to the Shymbulak mountain resort (2260 m), where a three-stage cableway climbs in about 25 minutes to the top station at Talgar Pass (3200 m) with a full panorama of the Zailiyskiy Alatau. Winter is for skiing and snowboarding, summer for hiking and cafés with a view.
Want to change a day? The guide adapts the pace and stops to your group.Ask the guide →
What’s included
Included
- Transport along the entire route
- Professional guide services
- All eco-fees and entrance tickets to national parks and protected natural areas
- Cable car and lift tickets (Shymbulak)
Paid separately
- Meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners)
- Entertainment and additional activities outside the main program
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Good to know
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts — full refund. After that — according to the operator’s rules.
Reviews
Questions & answers
Have a question about this tour? Ask us — a local planner will answer in the chat.
Practical info
Good to know
- Meeting place
- You choose the meeting place: an address, a hotel, or Almaty Airport, arranged at booking
- Suitable for
- Suitable for everyone: families, seniors, couples, groups of friends, solo travelers
What to bring
- ID card or passport
- Trekking shoes with good tread
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses, and a hat
- A warm jacket or fleece — it is cool in the mountains even in summer
- A light raincoat or membrane jacket in case of mountain rain
- A water bottle (to refill in villages and hotels) and a light snack for the road
Safety notes
Please follow the guide's instructions, check the weather forecast before departure, and bring appropriate clothing and footwear.
Available year-round
Not sure? Ask a local expertDates, a different hotel, a child seat, another day order — we’ll reply within 2 hours.