Almaty

Airport transfer to city center(30 minutes)

Yandex Go taxi 2,000-3,000 KZT (~$4-6), or bus 150 KZT. Hotels in the Dostyk Avenue area are central and walkable

Check-in and freshen up(1 hour)

Budget hotels 8,000-15,000 KZT/night. Mid-range 20,000-40,000 KZT. The Dostyk/Abay intersection area puts you near everything

Walk along Panfilov Park to Zenkov Cathedral(1.5 hours)

Multi-colored Russian Orthodox cathedral built entirely of wood in 1907. Free entry. The WWII Memorial of Glory with eternal flame is in the park. The park itself is Almaty's most pleasant strolling ground

Lunch at Kaganat(1 hour)

Traditional Kazakh restaurant near Panfilov Park. Try beshbarmak (boiled meat on noodles, the national dish) for 2,500-4,000 KZT. Kumis (fermented mare's milk) is an acquired taste but culturally essential

Evening walk along Arbat (Zheltoksan Street)(1 hour)

Almaty's pedestrian street with cafes, street performers, and boutiques. Good for orientation and people-watching

Green Bazaar (Zelyony Bazaar)(2 hours)

Open 8AM-6PM. Free to browse. Try kurt (dried yogurt balls, 200-500 KZT), fresh pomegranate juice (300 KZT), and Kazakh honey. The back sections have Central Asian crafts and spices. Haggling is mild

Lunch at Navat(1 hour)

Uzbek restaurant near the bazaar. Lagman (pulled noodle soup, 1,800 KZT), manty (steamed dumplings, 1,500 KZT), and shashlik (grilled meat, 2,000 KZT). Generous portions

Kok Tobe cable car and hilltop park(2 hours)

Cable car from city center: 2,000 KZT round trip. Hilltop at 1,100m with TV tower, restaurants, mini-zoo, and the Beatles statue. Best at sunset when the Tien Shan catches golden light. Open 10AM-12AM

Dinner at Zheti Kazyna(1.5 hours)

Modern Kazakh cuisine. Horse meat kazy (cured sausage), beshbarmak, and traditional desserts. 4,000-8,000 KZT per person. Good wine list

4WD to Big Almaty Lake(3.5 hours)

28km from center. The 15km road is steep and unpaved — hire a 4WD taxi (8,000-12,000 KZT round trip) or join a tour. The lake at 2,511m shifts between turquoise and deep blue. No swimming (city water supply). Free to visit. Best color June-September

Lunch at Medeu area(1 hour)

Restaurants near Medeu skating rink. Lagman and plov for 2,000-3,500 KZT

Medeu Skating Rink(45 minutes)

World's highest Olympic skating rink at 1,691m. Free to view, skating 1,800 KZT. Bus 12 from city center (150 KZT) or Yandex Go

Shymbulak gondola ride(1.5 hours)

Gondola from Medeu to 3,200m peak: 3,500-5,000 KZT round trip. In summer, alpine hiking. In winter, skiing (day pass ~10,000 KZT). The views from the top are extraordinary — the Tien Shan stretches endlessly

Drive to Charyn Canyon(3 hours)

200km east. Hire a car with driver (30,000-40,000 KZT round trip) or join an organized tour (15,000-25,000 KZT/person). Leave by 7AM to maximize canyon time

Valley of Castles hike(2.5 hours)

Entry 870 KZT (~$2). Descend into the canyon through 300m-high red rock formations. The path is 3km one way. Bring 2L water and sun protection — zero shade. The rock colors shift from red to orange to pink

Lunch at the canyon base(45 minutes)

A small yurt cafe at the canyon bottom serves shashlik and tea (2,000-3,000 KZT). Or pack a picnic from the city

Charyn River viewpoint(30 minutes)

The turquoise river at the bottom of the canyon is striking against the red walls. Great photo stop before the climb back

Drive back to Almaty(3 hours)

Evening return. Stop at roadside fruit stalls for fresh apples — Kazakhstan is the ancestral home of the domestic apple

Central State Museum(1.5 hours)

500 KZT entry. Excellent exhibits on nomadic history, the Golden Man warrior, and Soviet-era Kazakhstan. The Golden Man replica (4th century BC Saka warrior in gold armor) is the museum's centerpiece

First President's Park(1 hour)

Large green space south of the center with mountain views. Free. Good for a morning jog or stroll

Lunch at Dastarkhan(1 hour)

Traditional Kazakh restaurant. Try baursak (fried bread balls), kuyrdak (organ meat stew), and fresh kurt. 2,500-5,000 KZT per person

A. Kasteyev Museum of Arts(1 hour)

1,000 KZT. Kazakhstan's largest art museum with Kazakh, Russian, and Central Asian collections. The Soviet-era paintings of steppe landscapes are haunting

Evening at Dudki Bar(1.5 hours)

Almaty's best craft beer bar. Local Kazakh craft beers from 800-1,500 KZT. Good pub food. Young, international crowd

Taxi to Ala-Archa National Park(45 minutes)

Yandex Go: 4,000-6,000 KZT. Entry 870 KZT. Arrange return pickup time or carry cash for return taxi. No public transport to the park

Ak-Sai Waterfall trail(4 hours)

The most popular hike — 6km round trip through alpine valley to a glacier-fed waterfall. Moderate difficulty with some steep sections. Snow above 3,000m until July. Bring warm layers even in summer

Picnic lunch at the trailhead(45 minutes)

Pack food from the city or buy at the small cafe near the park entrance. Shashlik sometimes available from vendors

Alpine flora walk(1 hour)

The lower trails have wildflowers in June-August. The contrast between the green valley and snow-capped peaks is stunning

Return to Almaty and farewell dinner(2 hours)

Dinner at Del Papa — Almaty's best Italian. Mains 3,000-6,000 KZT. A cosmopolitan end to a mountain day

Morning visit to Green Bazaar(1 hour)

Pick up dried fruits, nuts, kurt, and Kazakh honey as souvenirs. Fresh apples from Kazakhstan — the ancestral homeland of Malus domestica

Last Kazakh meal(1 hour)

Final beshbarmak or lagman. Or try a Kazakh breakfast: baursak with honey and tea

Airport transfer(30 minutes)

Yandex Go to ALA airport: 2,000-3,000 KZT. Allow 2.5 hours before international flights

Departure(varies)

Almaty has direct flights to Istanbul, Dubai, Seoul, Beijing, Moscow, and major Central Asian cities

Airport transfer(30 minutes)

Yandex Go taxi 2,000-3,000 KZT. Stay near Dostyk Avenue for central access

Check-in and orientation walk(2 hours)

Budget 8,000-15,000 KZT/night. Walk Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral (free, wooden masterpiece from 1907), and WWII Memorial

Lunch at Kaganat(1 hour)

Beshbarmak (national dish) 2,500-4,000 KZT. Try kumis (fermented mare's milk)

Evening on Arbat Street(1.5 hours)

Pedestrian zone with cafes and street performers

Green Bazaar(2 hours)

Open 8AM-6PM. Kurt, honey, pomegranate juice, dried fruits. The spice and nut sections are exceptional

Lunch at Navat(1 hour)

Uzbek food — lagman, manty, shashlik. 1,500-2,500 KZT per dish

Kok Tobe cable car(2 hours)

2,000 KZT round trip. Beatles statue, mountain views. Best at sunset. Open until midnight

Dinner at Zheti Kazyna(1.5 hours)

Modern Kazakh — kazy, beshbarmak, traditional desserts. 4,000-8,000 KZT

4WD to Big Almaty Lake(3.5 hours)

28km. 4WD taxi 8,000-12,000 KZT round trip. Turquoise lake at 2,511m. No swimming. Free. Best color June-September

Medeu Skating Rink(45 minutes)

World's highest Olympic rink. Free to view, skating 1,800 KZT

Shymbulak gondola(1.5 hours)

3,500-5,000 KZT round trip. Alpine hiking in summer, skiing in winter. The ridge views stretch endlessly

Dinner near Medeu(1 hour)

Mountain restaurant with valley views. Lagman and plov. 2,000-4,000 KZT

Drive to Charyn Canyon(3 hours)

200km east. Car with driver 30,000-40,000 KZT or tour 15,000-25,000 KZT/person

Valley of Castles hike(2.5 hours)

870 KZT entry. 3km descent through 300m-high red formations. Bring 2L water, sunscreen — no shade

Canyon lunch(45 minutes)

Yurt cafe at the base — shashlik and tea. Or pack a picnic

Charyn River viewpoint(30 minutes)

Turquoise river against red walls

Return to Almaty(3 hours)

Stop at roadside stalls for Kazakh apples

Central State Museum(1.5 hours)

500 KZT. Golden Man warrior replica, nomadic history, Soviet era. The centerpiece of Kazakh archaeology

A. Kasteyev Museum of Arts(1 hour)

1,000 KZT. Kazakh, Russian, Central Asian art. Soviet steppe landscapes are haunting

Lunch at Line Brew(1 hour)

Craft brewery restaurant. Kazakh-fusion menu. 2,500-5,000 KZT per person with beer

First President's Park walk(1 hour)

Mountain views, green space, fresh air

Evening at Dudki Bar(1.5 hours)

Craft beer. 800-1,500 KZT per glass. Young international crowd

Taxi to Ala-Archa(45 minutes)

4,000-6,000 KZT. Entry 870 KZT. Arrange return pickup

Ak-Sai Waterfall trail(4 hours)

6km round trip to glacier-fed waterfall. Moderate difficulty. Snow above 3,000m until July. Warm layers essential

Picnic lunch(45 minutes)

Pack from city or buy at park entrance cafe

Farewell Almaty dinner at Del Papa(1.5 hours)

Best Italian in town. 3,000-6,000 KZT mains

Sleep in and brunch(2 hours)

Almaty has a growing brunch culture. Cafe Nedelka does excellent eggs Benedict and local pastries. 2,000-4,000 KZT

Esentai Boulevard walk(1.5 hours)

The upscale commercial area shows Almaty's modern side. Shopping malls, luxury stores, and the Esentai Tower

Lunch at Korean restaurant(1 hour)

Almaty has a large Korean-Kazakh community (Koryo-saram). Try their unique Central Asian-Korean fusion. Kooksi (cold noodle soup) 1,500-2,500 KZT at Korean House

Free afternoon — hammam or spa(2 hours)

Arasan Baths — historic public bathhouse. 3,000-5,000 KZT for the full experience including Russian, Turkish, and Finnish sections. A local institution

Evening out in nightlife district(2 hours)

The area around Dostyk Avenue has cocktail bars and clubs. Almaty's nightlife is surprisingly vibrant

Drive to Issyk(1.5 hours)

70km east. Car with driver 15,000-20,000 KZT round trip

Issyk Lake(1.5 hours)

Alpine lake at 1,756m surrounded by spruce forest. Free to visit. A 1963 mudslide destroyed the original lake — the current one reformed. Hiking trails around the shore

Golden Man Museum(1 hour)

In Issyk town. The original Golden Man warrior was found in a Saka burial mound here in 1969. Small but significant museum. 500 KZT

Saka burial mound site(30 minutes)

The ancient kurgans (burial mounds) dot the landscape. Free to view from the road

Lunch at a roadside cafe(45 minutes)

Shashlik and plov at a simple roadside eatery. 1,500-3,000 KZT

Drive to Kolsai Lakes(4 hours)

300km southeast. Car with driver 40,000-50,000 KZT for 2-day trip. Or organized tour 25,000-35,000 KZT/person. The drive passes through varied steppe and mountain landscapes

Hike to First Kolsai Lake(1 hour)

Entry 1,270 KZT. The first lake is the most accessible — a short walk from the car park. Turquoise water, spruce forests, wildflowers in summer

Lunch at lakeside(1 hour)

Pack food from Almaty or eat at the small guesthouse near the lake. Simple meals 2,000-4,000 KZT

Hike to Second Kolsai Lake(3 hours)

5km further uphill. Steeper and more remote. The second lake is larger and arguably more beautiful. Few visitors make it here

Overnight at Kolsai guesthouse(evening)

Basic guesthouses near the first lake: 5,000-10,000 KZT/night including dinner and breakfast. The stars over the mountains are incredible

Drive to Kaindy Lake(1.5 hours)

From Kolsai, via rough mountain roads. 4WD essential. The approach through the valley is scenic

Kaindy Lake hike(2 hours)

Entry 1,270 KZT. A 4km walk to the lake. Created by a 1911 earthquake-triggered landslide that dammed the valley. Dead spruce trees stand like ghostly sentinels in the turquoise water

Picnic at the lake(1 hour)

Pack lunch. The setting is otherworldly — dead trees, turquoise water, mountain silence

Drive back to Almaty(4 hours)

Long return drive through the steppe. The sunset over the grasslands is spectacular

Late dinner in Almaty(1 hour)

Something quick and comforting after a long drive. Korean kooksi or plov

Drive to Turgen Gorge(1.5 hours)

80km east. Car with driver 15,000-20,000 KZT round trip

Bear Waterfall hike(2 hours)

The main waterfall in Turgen Gorge. 1,000 KZT entry. A scenic trail through forest to a 30m cascade. Moderate difficulty

Ostrich farm visit(45 minutes)

A quirky stop near the gorge entrance. 1,000 KZT entry. Ostriches, deer, and other animals. Popular with locals

Lunch at a gorge restaurant(1 hour)

Several restaurants along the river serve shashlik and trout. 2,500-5,000 KZT. Eating by the river in the mountain air is restorative

Morning rest(2 hours)

Sleep in. You've earned it after mountain adventures

Kazakh cooking class(3 hours)

Several operators offer cooking experiences (10,000-20,000 KZT). Learn to make manty, baursak, and beshbarmak. Includes market shopping at Green Bazaar

Free afternoon — Arasan Baths(2 hours)

3,000-5,000 KZT. Russian, Turkish, and Finnish bath sections. A restorative local tradition

Dinner at Gakku(1.5 hours)

Modern Kazakh fine dining. Creative interpretations of traditional dishes. 6,000-12,000 KZT per person

Wild apple forest hike(3 hours)

The foothills around Almaty contain wild Malus sieversii — the genetic ancestor of all domestic apples. Accessible trails near Kok Tobe or in the Ile-Alatau park. A guide (5,000-10,000 KZT) can explain the botanical significance

Lunch at a mountain cafe(1 hour)

Small cafes along the foothills serve simple mountain food — shashlik, lagman, and fresh bread. 2,000-4,000 KZT

Final Green Bazaar visit for souvenirs(1.5 hours)

Dried fruits, nuts, honey, kurt, and felt handicrafts. Pack carefully — dried goods travel well

Farewell dinner at Alasha(2 hours)

Upscale Kazakh restaurant. Traditional yurt-style interior. Beshbarmak, kazy, and a ceremonial kumis toast. 5,000-10,000 KZT per person. A fitting farewell

Morning walk and last coffee(1 hour)

Stroll through Panfilov Park one final time. Coffee at Academiya (1,500-2,500 KZT). The mountain views from the city never get old

Airport transfer(30 minutes)

Yandex Go to ALA: 2,000-3,000 KZT. Allow 2.5 hours for international flights

Departure(varies)

Direct flights to Istanbul, Dubai, Seoul, Beijing, and Central Asian capitals

Airport transfer(30 minutes)

Yandex Go 2,000-3,000 KZT. Stay near Dostyk Avenue

Check-in and Panfilov Park walk(2 hours)

Zenkov Cathedral (free, wooden, 1907), WWII Memorial, and park stroll

Lunch at Kaganat(1 hour)

Beshbarmak 2,500-4,000 KZT, kumis

Evening Arbat Street(1.5 hours)

Pedestrian zone with cafes

Green Bazaar(2 hours)

Kurt, honey, pomegranate juice. Free to browse

Lunch at Navat(1 hour)

Lagman, manty, shashlik. 1,500-2,500 KZT

Kok Tobe cable car(2 hours)

2,000 KZT round trip. Beatles statue, sunset views

Dinner at Zheti Kazyna(1.5 hours)

Modern Kazakh cuisine. 4,000-8,000 KZT

4WD to Big Almaty Lake(3.5 hours)

8,000-12,000 KZT round trip. Turquoise lake at 2,511m

Medeu Skating Rink(45 minutes)

Free to view

Shymbulak gondola(1.5 hours)

3,500-5,000 KZT. Hiking or skiing depending on season

Drive to Charyn Canyon(3 hours)

Car with driver 30,000-40,000 KZT round trip

Valley of Castles hike(2.5 hours)

870 KZT entry. 3km descent. Bring water and sun protection

Canyon lunch(45 minutes)

Yurt cafe — shashlik and tea

Central State Museum(1.5 hours)

500 KZT. Golden Man, nomadic history

Kasteyev Art Museum(1 hour)

1,000 KZT. Soviet steppe landscapes

Lunch at Line Brew(1 hour)

Craft brewery. 2,500-5,000 KZT

Arasan Baths(2 hours)

3,000-5,000 KZT. Russian, Turkish, Finnish sections

Evening at Dudki Bar(1.5 hours)

Craft beer. 800-1,500 KZT

Taxi to Ala-Archa(45 minutes)

4,000-6,000 KZT. Entry 870 KZT

Ak-Sai Waterfall trail(4 hours)

6km round trip. Moderate. Warm layers essential

Return and dinner at Del Papa(2 hours)

Best Italian in Almaty. 3,000-6,000 KZT

Drive to Issyk(1.5 hours)

70km east. 15,000-20,000 KZT round trip

Issyk Lake hike(2 hours)

Alpine lake at 1,756m. Spruce forest. Hiking trails

Golden Man Museum(1 hour)

500 KZT. Saka warrior in gold armor — found here in 1969

Drive to Kolsai Lakes(4 hours)

300km. Car with driver 40,000-50,000 KZT for multi-day trip

First Kolsai Lake hike(1.5 hours)

1,270 KZT entry. Short walk, stunning turquoise water

Second Kolsai Lake hike(3 hours)

5km uphill. Larger, more remote. Few visitors

Overnight at guesthouse(evening)

5,000-10,000 KZT with meals. Stars over mountains

Drive to Kaindy Lake(1.5 hours)

Rough mountain roads. 4WD essential

Kaindy Lake hike(2 hours)

1,270 KZT. 4km walk to ghostly sunken forest

Brunch at Cafe Nedelka(1.5 hours)

Eggs Benedict, pastries. 2,000-4,000 KZT

Esentai Boulevard walk(1.5 hours)

Modern Almaty — malls, luxury stores, Esentai Tower

Korean lunch at Korean House(1 hour)

Koryo-saram fusion. Kooksi 1,500-2,500 KZT

Evening cocktails(2 hours)

Dostyk Avenue bar scene. Almaty nightlife is vibrant

Drive to Turgen Gorge(1.5 hours)

80km east. 15,000-20,000 KZT round trip

Bear Waterfall hike(2 hours)

1,000 KZT. Trail through forest to 30m cascade

Trout River and Ostrich Farm(1.5 hours)

Quirky farm visit (1,000 KZT). River restaurants with fresh trout

Lunch by the river(1 hour)

Shashlik and fresh trout. 2,500-5,000 KZT

Kazakh cooking class(3 hours)

10,000-20,000 KZT. Manty, baursak, beshbarmak. Includes Green Bazaar shopping

Wild apple forest hike(2 hours)

Foothills near the city. Malus sieversii — ancestor of all domestic apples. Guide 5,000-10,000 KZT for botanical context

Afternoon tea and apple tasting(1 hour)

Sample different Kazakh apple varieties at a foothill farm

Dinner at Gakku(1.5 hours)

Modern Kazakh fine dining. 6,000-12,000 KZT

Drive to Tamgaly(3 hours)

170km northwest. Car with driver 25,000-35,000 KZT round trip. The drive crosses flat steppe — a stark contrast to the mountains

Tamgaly Petroglyphs site(2 hours)

UNESCO site with 5,000+ Bronze Age rock carvings. Sun gods, animals, hunting scenes, and ritual figures. A guide (3,000-5,000 KZT) brings the carvings to life. Open 9AM-6PM

Steppe picnic(45 minutes)

Pack lunch from Almaty. Eating on the open steppe with ancient rock art above you is extraordinary

Hike to Butakovka Waterfall(3 hours)

Accessible trailhead 20 minutes from city. A beautiful forested hike to a 30m waterfall. Free. Well-marked trail. The proximity to the city is surprising

Lunch at a foothill restaurant(1 hour)

Shashlik and fresh bread at a hillside eatery. 2,000-4,000 KZT

Photography walk — Soviet architecture(2 hours)

Almaty's Soviet-era buildings are fascinating. The Hotel Kazakhstan (an iconic pyramid), the Arasan Baths exterior, and residential blocks along Abay Avenue tell stories of the city's past

Sunset from Kok Tobe(1.5 hours)

Return to Kok Tobe for golden hour. The Tien Shan in sunset light is unforgettable

Drive to Altyn-Emel National Park(3.5 hours)

260km east. Car with driver 40,000-50,000 KZT for the day. The park is vast — a driver who knows the routes is essential

Singing Dune(1.5 hours)

A 150m-high dune that produces an eerie humming sound when the wind blows or you slide down its face. The acoustic phenomenon occurs due to quartz sand friction. Climb to the top for desert views

Aktau Mountains(1 hour)

Multi-colored chalk mountains within the park — white, red, and orange layers. Otherworldly landscape resembling Mars

Picnic in the park(45 minutes)

Pack lunch. The isolation of the steppe is profound

Arasan Baths full experience(2.5 hours)

3,000-5,000 KZT. Russian section, Turkish section, massage. Take your time

Lunch at a Korean cafe(1 hour)

Almaty's Koryo-saram community has unique food. Try kuks (noodle soup) and morkovcha (spicy carrot salad)

Baraholka flea market(1.5 hours)

Massive outdoor market on the city's edge. Soviet memorabilia, antiques, and everything imaginable. Yandex Go to get there. Fascinating for people-watching

Drive to horse riding ranch(1 hour)

Several ranches in the foothills offer guided rides. 10,000-20,000 KZT for a half-day including guide and equipment. No experience needed for most treks

Horseback riding through meadows(3 hours)

Ride through alpine meadows with Tien Shan views. The connection between Kazakhs and horses is 5,000+ years old. Your guide will share nomadic traditions

Campfire lunch at the ranch(1 hour)

Shashlik cooked over open fire, kumis, and bread. Included in most packages

Drive to Kapchagai(1 hour)

80km north. Car with driver 10,000-15,000 KZT round trip

Kapchagai Reservoir beach(2 hours)

Swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Beach areas free or 1,000-2,000 KZT at organized beaches. The contrast with the mountains is striking

Kapchagai Canyon walk(1.5 hours)

A smaller canyon near the reservoir with layered rock formations. Free. Less dramatic than Charyn but virtually tourist-free

Fish lunch at Kapchagai(1 hour)

Restaurants along the reservoir serve fresh fish — fried or grilled. 2,000-4,000 KZT

Breakfast at Green Bazaar(1 hour)

Fresh bread, honey, and cream from the dairy section. 500-1,500 KZT

Dungan neighborhood food tour(2 hours)

The Dungan (Chinese Muslim) community in Almaty produces incredible hand-pulled noodles and dumplings. Ashlan-Fu (cold noodle soup) at a Dungan cafe is a revelation. 1,000-2,500 KZT

Georgian lunch at Satsivi(1 hour)

Almaty has excellent Georgian restaurants. Khachapuri, khinkali, and wine. 2,500-5,000 KZT

Evening food crawl(2 hours)

Walk from Navat (Uzbek) to a Korean cafe to a Russian cafe — three cuisines in three blocks. Almaty's diversity is on every menu

Morning hike near Shymbulak(2.5 hours)

Take the gondola up and hike one of the alpine trails. Last mountain time. The views are your farewell from the Tien Shan

Lunch at the mountain(1 hour)

Restaurant at Medeu or Shymbulak base. 2,500-4,000 KZT

Final souvenir shopping(2 hours)

Green Bazaar for dried fruits, honey, kurt. Felt handicraft shops on Zheltoksan for traditional Kazakh items — wall hangings, slippers, bags

Farewell dinner at Alasha(2 hours)

Yurt-style restaurant. Beshbarmak, kazy, kumis toast. 5,000-10,000 KZT. A ceremonial end to three weeks

Morning walk and coffee(1 hour)

Panfilov Park one last time. Coffee at Academiya. 1,500-2,500 KZT

Airport transfer(30 minutes)

Yandex Go to ALA. 2,000-3,000 KZT

Departure(varies)

Direct flights to Istanbul, Dubai, Seoul, Beijing, Moscow, and Central Asian capitals