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Offered languages
- English
Discover Almaty’s top mountain highlights on a full-day tour combining nature, culture, and stunning views.
Meet your guide at 9:00 AM in front of the Abay Opera House and travel to Ile-Alatau National Park. Visit the Butakovka Visit Center before hiking through scenic pine forests to Butakovka Waterfall (about 1 hour each way). Guests who prefer not to hike can relax at the Visit Center and enjoy the mountain scenery.
After the hike, enjoy free time for lunch at Auyl Restaurant (lunch is not included), a unique mountain restaurant with panoramic views of the Small Almaty Gorge.
Continue to Medeu, one of the world's highest mountain skating rinks, then ride the cable car to Shymbulak Mountain Resort for free time to explore and take photos.
Finish the day at Kok Tobe, Almaty’s most famous viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains before returning to the city center.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meeting at the fountain in front of Abay Opera House
Itinerary
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1Butakovskiy Waterfall
Butakovka Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls near Almaty. Located at an altitude of around 2,100 meters above sea level, the waterfall drops from rocky cliffs with a height estimated between 15 and 30 meters. During the warmer months, visitors can enjoy the refreshing mountain air and cool mist from the cascading water, while in winter the waterfall transforms into a spectacular wall of blue ice.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
2
Lunch at Auyl Restaurant, a unique mountain restaurant inspired by a traditional Kazakh village. Enjoy panoramic views of the Small Almaty Gorge, take photos, explore the grounds, and relax over lunch (at your own expense).
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
3Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort
Medeu is a mountainous sports complex located in the elevated valley of Medeu, at an altitude of 1,691 meters above sea level. Here's how to spend time in this place. The first option is to climb to the top of the dam using the Stairs of Health. The second option is to rent ice skates and glide on the ice rink; this opportunity is available until April, while the rink is operational.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Shymbulak
Shymbulak is renowned for its stunning mountain vistas. Travelers will be immersed in the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Tien Shan Mountains. Whether it's the snow-covered peaks in winter or lush meadows in summer, the scenery is breathtaking year-round. We will ascend to the highest point of Shymbulak via the cable car. Shymbulak ski resort consists of three levels: the Base Station, the Middle Station, and the Upper Station, where you can take numerous photos against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Additionally, you can enjoy lunch at one of the cafes or restaurants of your choice at the base stations. Lunch is not included in the tour price.
2 hours • Admission ticket not included -
5
Koktobe Mountain offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Almaty and the surrounding landscapes. Travelers can witness the city's skyline, the vast steppe, and the majestic Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains. The ascent is facilitated by special buses that operate from the parking area at the base of the mountain.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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