Winter Tour Medey Chymbulak Big Almaty Lake Ayusai
About this tour
Special 5-day WINTER tour of Almaty to see beautiful winter mountain lakes, waterfalls, fir forests, rivers and peaks. The tour combines famous city attractions such as the Medeu skating rink and Shymbulak ski resort, Kok-Tobe Hill as well as natural beauty in the mountains near the city such as the Big Almaty Lake, the Ayusai waterfalls, the Medvezhyi waterfall, etc. All trips are made from the city, the destinations are located close to it, there is no need to travel so far and spend the night in the mountains. As a bonus, you will have dinner with a Kazakh family, tasting ancient Kazakh nomadic cuisine and a fascinating conversation about Kazakh cuisine and the history of Kazakh people.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty to Medeu
Day 1 Almaty city - the Medeu skating rink and Shymbulak ski resort. Pick up from a hotel. Drive by car to the Medeu Valley or the valley of Malaya Almatinka River. Early visit to legendary Medey mountain skating rink in the mountains near the city. Visit to famous Shymbylak international ski resort by cable car to view point at 3200 m asl. A 2-hour hike along the trail to the ski resort is possible. Afternoon visit and enjoy sunset and panorama view on popular Kok-Tobe Hill and city tower. Evening dinner with a Kazakh family in Almaty. Tasting of ancient nomadic food. 2 hours of relaxed and easy communication with a family about Kazakh traditions, history and modern life in Kazakhstan. Transfer and overnight in a hotel.
Day 2: Almaty to Big Almaty lake
Day 2 Almaty city – the Big Almaty Lake. Early pick up from a hotel. Drive by car through the Ile- Alatau national park. The car is left on the parking; the approach to the lake is only on foot. Three hours of hiking in the fresh air through spruce forests. The distance to the lake is about 6-8 km up. Picnic and photo session on the lake. Back to the parking and return to hotel in the city. Transfer and overnight in a hotel.
Day 3: Almaty to Big Almaty Gorge
Day 3 Almaty city - the Ayusai waterfalls. Early pick up from a hotel. Drive by car through the Ile- Alatau national park, The Big Almaty Gorge. The car is left on the parking. Easy hiking to the Ayusai gorge and trekking up to three waterfalls in the Ayusai gorge (5 km one way). Picnic and photo session on the lake. Return to the city, overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 4: Almaty to Turgen Gorge
Day 4 Almaty city – the Medvezhyi waterfall. Early pick up from a hotel. Drive by car to the Ile- Alatau national park, the Turgen Gorge (97 km). Easy hiking up to the Medvezhyi (Bear) waterfall (3 km both ways). Picnic and photo session. Return to the city, overnight in a hotel.
Day 5: Almaty to Issyk lake
Day 5 Almaty city – the Issyk lake. Early pick up from a hotel. Drive by car to the Ile- Alatau national park, the Issyk Gorge (90 km). Easy hiking up to the Issyk lake (6 km both ways). Picnic and photo session. Return to the city, overnight in a hotel. End of tour.
What's included
The price includes a personal English-speaking guide with his own car and transportation services with entrance tickets to the sites.
Accommodation and meals for tourists in Almaty city are not included in the price.
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Almaty to Medeu