Almaty Private City Tour
- 1 day
- Hotel pick-up in AlmatyHotel pick-up
- from $85 per person
Itinerary
Our Almaty private city tour covers 28 Panfilov Park, the Green Bazaar and Republic Square, then takes the cable car from Medeu up to Shymbulak.
Hotel pick-up
28 Panfilov Park: Ascension (Zenkov) Cathedral and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments
The Green Bazaar: a short walk, local produce and snacks
Republic Square and the Monument of Independence
Drive to Medeu
Cable car up to Shymbulak
The top station (about 3,200 m): viewpoints and photos
Lunch break at Shymbulak
Cable car back down to Medeu
Drive back to your hotel
All year
In winter Shymbulak is a ski resort and the views are snowy; in summer the top station is cool and green. On very windy days the upper cable car can close, and we change the order of the day.
Easy
You walk around the city center at a relaxed pace, about 4 to 5 km over the day, with plenty of stops.
Where the road takes you
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By roadCable carRoutes are shown approximately.
Moments from this route
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What our travelers say
The best guidance one could hope for
Our guide and drive, Darmir, is the best company one could hope for. Not only he is extremely knowledgeable about Kazakh history but he is also just excellent company. The day long trip seemed to fly away in his presence. It made our day!
Exploring the beauty of Almaty Region with a wonderful guide
We had a really great time with Damir. He's a super friendly and professional guide and made us feel comfortable and relaxed for the whole duration of our trip. We also really appreciated the time he took to explain modern Kazakhstan to us - we have a much greater understanding of this beautiful country and its people as a result. Outfitters are very lucky to have Damir on the team!
Questions about this tour
When is the best time for this tour?
All year. In winter Shymbulak is a ski resort and the views are snowy; in summer the top station is cool and green. On very windy days the upper cable car can close, and we change the order of the day.
How hard is the walking?
Easy. You walk around the city center at a relaxed pace, about 4 to 5 km over the day, with plenty of stops.
Is it suitable for children or older travelers?
Yes, it suits all ages. The cable car goes up to 3,200 m, so travelers with heart or breathing problems can stay at the lower stations.
What will we see in the city center?
28 Panfilov Park, with the wooden Ascension Cathedral (finished in 1907, it survived the 1911 earthquake) and the Museum of Folk Musical Instruments; the Green Bazaar, the city market for dried fruit, nuts, sweets and local dairy like kurt and kumys; and Republic Square, with the Independence Monument: the Golden Warrior on a winged snow leopard.
How does the cable car work?
A gondola runs 4.5 km from Medeu (1,691 m) up to Shymbulak (2,260 m) in eight-seat cabins, in about 15 to 18 minutes. Two more lifts climb to the top station near the Talgar Pass, at about 3,200 m. It is much colder at the top, so bring a warm layer, even in summer.
What should I wear and bring?
We recommend you bring:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen
- A warm layer, as mountain and steppe weather changes fast
- Cash for personal expenses
We provide drinking water on every tour.
Is this a private or shared tour?
Private: only your group travels in the car, with your own guide. The price per person drops as your group grows, from $85 per person. Group tours with set dates start in March 2027.
What if the weather is bad, or I need to cancel?
Cancellation is free for our standard tours. For special tours or large groups, where we book rooms or activities in advance or pay a deposit to a hotel or partner, there is a 20% deposit: we refund it if you cancel 5 or more days before the tour, and not if you cancel later. If snow, heavy rain or a road closure makes the route unsafe, we move you to another day or cancel at no cost.
Can we go skating at Medeu?
Not at the moment. The Medeu rink, the world’s largest high-mountain skating rink, closed for reconstruction in October 2025, and the city says it will reopen by the end of 2028.
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