Almaty and the Alatau Peaks — lake, cable car and canyon
From the city streets to a mountain resort at 3,200 metres.
Destination
Kazakhstan — Kazakhstan
Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Cities
Almaty
Stay categories
4★ · 5★
Overview
Six days that add Medeu and the Shymbulak cable car to the city, the lake and the canyon: the gorge above Almaty, the alpine resort at between 2,260 and 3,200 metres and the cold clear air of the peaks.
With ALNWRAS WORLD — a world of journeys.
Stay areas
Almaty and the Trans-Ili Alatau
Trip style
Mountains · Nature · Family
Suitable for
Couples · Families · Friends
Choose the duration
Stay category
Coming Soon
Daily programme
1
Day 1
Day 1: Welcome to Almaty — the city under the mountains
Met at the airport and taken to your hotel.
Airport meet and greet
Evening at leisure
Your driver meets you at Almaty International Airport and takes you to your hotel to receive your room. Almaty sits at the foot of the snow-capped Trans-Ili Alatau, and on a clear day the peaks stand right above the streets.
The rest of the day is yours, for rest or a first walk and dinner.
Stay: Almaty
2
Day 2
Day 2: Almaty city — parks, a wooden cathedral, the bazaar and Kok-Tobe
The city on foot, then the view from Kok-Tobe hill.
Ascension Cathedral
Green Bazaar
Kok-Tobe
A day to know Almaty. You start in Panfilov Park, with the Square of the 28 Panfilov Heroes and the Ascension Cathedral, a colourful wooden church, one of the tallest of its kind in the world. Then you go through the Green Bazaar, where dried fruit, nuts, honey and spices are sold from the stalls, and past Republic Square.
In the afternoon you go up Kok-Tobe, the hill above the city, a viewpoint reached by a winding mountain road, with the TV tower, souvenir shops and a view of the whole city against the mountains.
Panfilov Park and the Ascension Cathedral
A war memorial square and a wooden church.
The Green Bazaar and Republic Square
Dried fruit, nuts and spices, then the city’s main square.
Kok-Tobe hill
A viewpoint over the city and the mountains.
Note: Entrance fees, cable cars and rides are not included. The schedule can change with weather, traffic and road conditions.
Stay: Almaty
3
Day 3
Day 3: Big Almaty Lake and the Aport apple orchards
A turquoise mountain lake at 2,510 metres, and the apple country on the way.
Big Almaty Lake
Aport apple orchards
A day in the mountains south of the city. After about thirty minutes’ drive you reach Big Almaty Lake, a mountain lake at 2,510 metres, ringed by peaks, whose colour changes from green to turquoise with the light and the season. Swimming is not allowed, because the lake supplies the city’s drinking water, so the visit is for the view, the walk along the shore and photographs.
On the way down you visit the orchards of the Aport apple, the big, fragrant apple that Almaty is famous for.
Note: The weather at the lake changes quickly: bring a warm layer. The road can close in snow or heavy rain, and your guide then plans another route.
Stay: Almaty
4
Day 4
Day 4: Medeu and Shymbulak — up the mountain by cable car
The mountain gorge above the city and the alpine resort at 2,260–3,200 metres.
Medeu gorge
Shymbulak cable car
A day in the gorge above the city. You drive about thirteen kilometres south to Medeu, a mountain valley with a great dam that protects the city from mudflows, and a view of the peaks closing in.
From Medeu the gondola takes you up to Shymbulak, the alpine resort at between 2,260 and 3,200 metres. In summer and autumn there are walks, viewpoints, mountain cafés and the cold, clear air. From late July to the end of November private cars are not allowed on the road above Medeu, so the cable car is the way up.
Note: The cable car is a paid extra and depends on the weather. The Medeu skating rink is under reconstruction and is not part of the visit.
Stay: Almaty
5
Day 5
Day 5: Charyn Canyon — the Valley of Castles
Red rock towers and a walk down to the river, a long day out.
Valley of Castles
Charyn River
A full day to Charyn Canyon, about 200 kilometres east of Almaty. The drive is about two and a half hours across the steppe, with the mountains behind you.
At the canyon you walk the Valley of Castles trail, about two kilometres and 1.5 to 2 hours, where red rock formations carved by wind and water stand like towers and walls. The trail ends at the Charyn River, where you can rest in the shade before the drive back.
Note: A long day: about five hours of driving. The park entry fee is a small extra, and shade is limited, so bring water and a hat.
Stay: Almaty
6
Day 6
Day 6: Farewell, Kazakhstan
Your driver takes you to the airport.
After breakfast your driver takes you to Almaty airport for your flight home. We look forward to welcoming you again.
End of the programme
4-star hotels
★★★★
Mercure Almaty City Center
Central Almaty · 5 nights
Room type: Double room
Photos of this hotel and room are pending and will be added once usage rights are secured.
Included
5 nights in your chosen hotel category (double room), with hotel breakfast
Airport pick-up and drop-off
A private car with a driver and an Arabic-speaking guide for 4 tour days, in the daytime, about 10:00 to 19:00 (the car type follows the number of travellers)
Not included
International flights to and from Kazakhstan
Entrance fees, the Shymbulak cable car and rides
Lunches and dinners
Visa fees where required
Travel insurance, tips for the guide and driver, and personal expenses such as laundry, phone and minibar
Terms and conditions
The final price depends on your travel dates and the number of travellers. You see the full price before you confirm, and nothing is charged before then.
Entrance fees, cable cars and rides are not included. They are paid extras and depend on weather, safety rules and the age limits of each attraction.
Sending a request is not a confirmed booking: your advisor confirms availability and the price with you first, and nothing is paid before that.
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