Almaty – Central Asia's Best kept secret

Breakfast at the hotel
09:00 – 18:00 | Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Almaty:
This day you will visit the city’s old center and cover one of the main sites that best highlight Almaty’s history. The first stop is Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers – named after the division during WWII, formed of men from the Almaty region under command of General Ivan Panfilov. The park itself is popular among locals and guests of the city. Inside the park visitors will find the eternal flame, memorials of different heroic characters, the Ascension Cathedral – Orthodox wooden church that magically withstood a strong earthquake in XX century, and Museum of musical instruments, where you can admire the collection over 1000 exhibits including rare exhibits dating back to the XVII century.

Just in a walking distance, you could enjoy another touristic attraction of Almaty – “Green Bazaar” or Green market. This is a perfect way to experience the true Eastern market. Here you might taste the food, bargain and, obviously, buy local tasty goods for a very nice price.

Optional: Then we stop for lunch at local restaurant.
Walking Tour in Almaty (1–1.5 hours):
Discover Almaty’s cultural heart on foot, starting at the Abay Opera and Ballet Theatre — a landmark of Stalinist architecture and performing arts. Stroll along lively Panfilov Street with its cafés, street art, and musicians, before ending at the vibrant Arbat, known for local crafts and souvenirs.

Today’s last stop is Kok Tobe, a park located at an altitude of 1,100 meters on the green hill, this place is very popular among locals and tourists. Take a ride on comfortable cable car and within 10 minutes, you are admiring the magnificent panoramic view of the city.

Once we come down from the hill, we are going back to the hotel.

Period: Mid-May - October Your journey begins with a warm welcome from your driver and guide, who will meet you at your hotel before setting out for the Ayusai Visitor Center.

Nestled in the heart of the Ile-Alatau National Park, this modern visitor center—opened in 2021—lies in the picturesque Ayusai Gorge, along the scenic road to the famous Big Almaty Lake. The name “Ayusai”, meaning “Bear Gorge” in Kazakh, pays homage to the Tien Shan brown bears that once roamed these mountain slopes.

After a short 30-minute drive from Almaty, you’ll arrive and switch to electric bicycles for an exhilarating ride through pristine alpine landscapes toward Big Almaty Lake. When you reach the lake, you’ll be captivated by its brilliant turquoise waters, framed by majestic snow-capped peaks. Depending on the season and light, the lake shimmers in ever-changing hues—a sight that never fails to inspire awe. If you are willing to walk, you can get off the bicycles mid-way and ascend on foot. You can also take short walks around the Lake.

Take your time to breathe in the crisp mountain air, capture photos, and simply enjoy nature’s tranquility before returning to the Ayusai Visitor Center.

Finally, your driver will take you back to Almaty, where your memorable mountain escape comes to an end.

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 – 18:00 | Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Almaty:

After breakfast, you will begin your exploration of Almaty with a journey into its most iconic natural setting — the Ili Alatau Mountains.

The Ili Alatau National Park, founded in 1996, stretches across 120 km with a total area of over 200,000 hectares. Elevations range from 600 to 5,000 meters, offering dramatic landscapes and rich biodiversity.

Your first stop is Medeu — once the world’s highest ice skating rink at 1,691 meters above sea level. Though currently closed for renovation until 2027, the area remains a popular spot for its alpine scenery and walking paths. For those who are willing to do a little hiking, you can take the stairs of health (842 steps) up to the dam. It usually takes from 15-20 minutes to 40 minutes.

However, your main destination today is Shymbulak Mountain Resort — the most famous alpine destination in Central Asia. Located at 2,260 meters above sea level, Shymbulak offers stunning mountain views, cozy cafés, hiking trails, and some of the best skiing in the region during winter months. Even in summer, it’s a favorite getaway for both locals and visitors, thanks to its fresh air and breathtaking panoramas.

To reach the top, you'll take a scenic ride on a three-stage cable car system:

- Stage 1: Medeu to Shymbulak (2,260 m)

-Stage 2: Shymbulak to Mid-station (2800 m)

-Stage 3: Mid-station to Talgar Pass (3,200 m), offering panoramic views of the Zailiyskiy Alatau range.

Note: In case of maintenance, an eco-transfer will be provided to the Shymbulak base station.

Optional: lunch at a local restaurant

Return to the city. Visit to the Almaty Museum of Arts.

Now open to the public, the Almaty Museum of Arts has quickly become the city’s premier destination for art lovers and curious travelers alike. Located in the heart of the city, the museum showcases a dynamic blend of Kazakh contemporary art, international exhibitions, and interactive installations.

Walk through Republic Square. This central square is a symbol of Kazakhstan’s independence. See the Monument of Independence with the Golden Warrior, City Hall, fountains, and wide public spaces — a great place for photos and a deeper understanding of the nation’s history.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Today you will have an early breakfast before a long ride to one of the “must-see” places when visiting Kazakhstan — and Almaty in particular. 08:00 – 20:00 | Tour to Charyn Canyon. (Lunch boxes included) Charyn Canyon is one of the most popular and magnificent natural attractions of Kazakhstan, located 220 kilometers from Almaty. Often called the “little brother” of the Grand Canyon in the USA, it stretches 154 kilometers in length. Yet, its beauty is unique and incomparable.

After leaving the hotel in Almaty, a 3–4-hour drive takes us to the “Valley of Castles” — the canyon’s most famous site. We leave the bus at the parking lot near the descent into the canyon. Please take drinking water as we walk downstairs (153 steps) into the gorge. The trek is leisurely, with short stops (around 50 minutes one way) along the 2 km trail to the Charyn River. Along the way, the guide will tell you about the canyon’s unique features.

If you are not willing to walk, you can take the eco-taxis (UAZ vehicles) for approximately 2 USD pp.

After enjoying lunch by the river and admiring the breathtaking views, we head back to Almaty.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure to Kazakh Ethno-Village “Huns”

The ethno-village is a perfect place for those willing to plunge into and experience the nomadic past of Kazakhs. The village, about 35 km from Almaty in the Talgar district, is also a great way to escape to the mountains for fresh air, horseback riding and to discover Kazakh traditional games and rituals.

From the moment of entrance and welcome ritual “shashu” to the horseback riding in the mountains, you will be surrounded by the Kazakh’s culture, hospitality and traditions.

You will enjoy the entertaining program. This includes:

-        Show of felt craft and a close look at the yurts with every detail described

-        Performance of “Besikke salu” or “Tusau kesu” rituals, which are still actual in Kazakh families

-        Horse games like “Kyz kuu” – when young man is chasing a girl to kiss her while riding a horse, and “atpen audaryspak” – wrestling of two young men on horseback.

-        Traditional dances and music, where guests will be shown moves and take part in group flash mob

-        Master class of cooking “baursak” – traditional Kazakh pastry Lunch in national way.

Optionally: guest can request a horseback riding tour for 30 minutes or 1 hour to explore the area and enjoy the nature.

At 16.00, you return to the city. The rest of the day is free.
Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Check-out.
Transfer to Almaty International Airport to take your flight back home or to continue your journey through Central Asia.

End of the services.