Almaty Nature & Culture Tour – 6 Days

Breakfast at the hotel.

Excursion to Medeo & Shymbulak.

• Visit the famous Medeo Ice Rink, located at an altitude of 1,691.2 meters above sea level. Built in 1972, Medeo is one of the most recognized high-altitude skating rinks in the world. Its impressive ice surface covers 10,500 square meters, making it suitable for international competitions in speed skating, hockey, and figure skating.
• Continue to Shymbulak Ski Resort, nestled in the beautiful Zailiysky Alatau Mountains at an elevation of 2,260 meters above sea level, approximately 25 km from Almaty city center. Surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, the resort offers panoramic views, with cable cars reaching heights of up to 3,163 meters above sea level.

Available activities at Shymbulak (Optional / additional cost):

• Horse riding: From 8 USD (15 minutes / 1.5 km route). Availability may depend on weather conditions. Available daily from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm by appointment.
• Paragliding: From 82 USD. Additional options include photos (7 USD), video (12 USD), or photo + video package (15 USD). Cable car to the top and back costs an additional 15 USD. Availability may depend on weather conditions. Available daily from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• ATV (Quad bike) ride: From 50 USD (20 minutes / 1.5 km route). Available daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Alpine Park: 10 USD. Available daily from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
• Rope Park: From 7 USD, plus 12 USD for the cable car to Medeo station and back. Available daily from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.
• Gorilla ZipLine: 15 USD for regular descent and 30 USD for horizontal descent. Available daily from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm, except Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Panoramic tour of Almaty:

Explore the main highlights of Almaty, including Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, the Memorial of Glory, and the Eternal Flame. Continue to the Republic Square and Independence Monument, discovering the history and vibrant atmosphere of the “Apple City.”

Transfer back to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Excursion to Charyn Canyon:

• Discover Charyn Canyon, located in the foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains near the border with China. Formed from sedimentary rocks dating back approximately 12 million years, the canyon stretches for around 154 kilometers along the Charyn River.
• The most famous and frequently visited section is the Valley of Castles, known for its dramatic rock formations shaped by wind and erosion. The canyon is also home to a rare grove of relict ash trees that survived the Ice Age, with a similar grove found only in North America.
• Its diverse landscapes support a rich variety of plants and wildlife. Although smaller than the Grand Canyon in North America, Charyn Canyon is equally impressive in beauty.
• Continue to Kolsay Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes near Almaty. Often called the “Blue Necklace of the Northern Tien Shan,” Kolsay is surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. In Kazakh, the name “Kolsay” means “a lake in the valley.”

A boat trip on the lake is included.

Optional activities:

• Horseback riding to the second Kolsai Lake: An adventurous route offering a unique way to explore the surrounding landscapes. The cost will be provided on-site.
• Hiking tour to the second Kolsai Lake: Enjoy a long scenic walk through the beautiful surroundings of the lake.
  

Transfer to the hotel, check-in, and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.

Excursion to Kaindy Lake:

• Kaindy (“Birch” in the Kazakh language) is a lake located in a magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. The lake’s length reaches about 400 meters, with a depth of approximately 30 meters.

Visiting Kok-Tobe Hill with the tallest TV tower in the world:

• Enjoy a short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway.
  

Transfer back to Almaty, check-in to the hotel, and overnight.

Breakfast at the hotel, check-out.

Arrival of guests at the ethno-aul “HUNNS”.

• Guests will be welcomed by two warriors dressed in battle armor from the Saki period and introduced to the Shashu ritual, followed by a traditional treat of baursaks.

Acquaintance with the Kazakh yurt, customs, and traditions of the Kazakh people:

• During the program, guests will learn about the structure of the yurt, its philosophy, and its sacred meaning in the life of nomadic people.
• Guests will also discover the traditional lifestyle of the Kazakh people, including wool cleaning and processing, yarn making with a spindle, flour and talkan preparation using a dermen, as well as traditional ceremonies such as Besik (child’s cradle ceremony), Tusau Kesu, and Atka Ogyrgyzu.
• Enjoy a performance by the “SARBAZ” group, featuring theatrical shows based on legends and traditional equestrian games.

Lunch in traditional Kazakh style.

Choose from the following master classes:

• Preparation of the traditional treat “Gent”.
• Production of “Belbau” using a traditional loom.
• Making coasters using the “Syrmak” technique.
• Archery.
• Master class on trick riding.

Overnight stay at Hunns Ethno-Village in traditional yurts.

Breakfast at the yurts, check-out.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight, taking home unforgettable memories of your Kazakhstan adventure.