Kok Zhailau High Mountain Pasture Hike In Almaty

Day 1: Prosveschenets, Almaty, Kazakhstan to Kok-Zhaylyau, Almaty, Kazakhstan

The hike to Kok Zhailau begins just below the Medeo ice rink, located in the beautiful Almaty Gorge. From here, the trail winds its way up through a forest of pine trees, offering stunning views of the city below. If you're lucky, you'll also have the opportunity to see plenty of wildlife during your hike, including squirrels, roe deer, marmots, ground squirrels and birds of prey, perhaps even a golden eagle. After about 3 hours of hiking, you'll reach the tree line and emerge onto the open plateau of Kok Zhailau. This high mountain pasture is a truly breathtaking sight, with its lush green grass, wildflowers, and snow-capped peaks in the distance. Here, you'll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery. After a leisurely lunch on the nature, you'll begin the hike back down to Almaty. The descent is a bit easier than the ascent, and you'll have the chance to take in different views of the gorge. By the time you reach start point, you'll be tired but happy, having experienced one of the most beautiful hikes in Almaty.