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Almaty: Medeu, Shymbulak, and City Tour with Guide

By Karela Tour Global
10 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$74 per adult
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 11h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages
Overview
  • Breathe in the fresh mountain air at the world’s highest-altitude ice rink
  • Climb the Health Staircase for panoramic views of the mountains and city
  • Ride a cable car to Shymbulak Ski Resort and explore the area at your pace
  • Visit the Green Bazaar and the Rakhat Chocolate Factory store in Almaty
  • Admire the Zenkov Cathedral and enjoy views from Kok-Tobe Hill
Activity location
    • Almaty City
    • Almaty City, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Meeting/Redemption Point
    • 6WQ8+MW3, Almaty, Kazakhstan | The meeting point is a large bus stop along Abai Street. We will contact you via whatsapp or email before the tour starts.
    • Almaty, Almaty, Kazakhstan

Check availability


Tour without Cable car to Shymbulak
  • Activity duration is 11 hours11h
    11h
  • English

This option does not include the cable car ride to Shymbulak.

Starting time: 8:00 AM
Price details
NZ$74.44 x 1 AdultNZ$74.44

Total
Price is NZ$74.44
Tour with Cable car to Shymbulak
  • Activity duration is 11 hours11h
    11h
  • English

This option includes a scenic cable car ride from Medeu to Shymbulak, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Starting time: 8:00 AM
Price details
NZ$118.16 x 1 AdultNZ$118.16

Total
Price is NZ$118.16

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided tour of Almaty
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Cable car ride to Shymbulak Ski Resort (if option selected)
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Visit to Kok-Tobe Hill
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Return Transfer
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Food and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Ice skating fees
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Skiing fees

Know before you book

  • Not allowed: Alcohol and drugs, Food and drinks in the vehicle, Smoking indoors
  • Not suitable for: People with mobility impairments, People with vertigo, Wheelchair users

What you can expect

Begin your day by meeting your guide and heading into the mountains to Medeu, the world’s highest-altitude outdoor ice skating rink. Located at 1,691 metres above sea level, Medeu is surrounded by alpine scenery and is a symbol of Almaty’s close connection to nature. Take time to enjoy the fresh mountain air and panoramic views.

From Medeu, experience a unique local tradition by climbing the famous Health Staircase, an 842-step route leading towards Shymbulak. This staircase is popular among locals as a fitness challenge and offers gradually changing mountain perspectives along the way. Climb at your own pace, with scenic viewpoints rewarding the effort.

Afterwards, continue by cable car from Medeu to Shymbulak Ski Resort, one of Central Asia’s largest and most modern mountain resorts. The cable car ride itself is a highlight, offering sweeping views of glaciers, forests, and snow-capped peaks. At Shymbulak, enjoy free time to walk around the resort and learn about its year-round role as a centre for skiing, hiking, and mountain recreation.

Returning to the city, explore Almaty’s cultural heart. Visit the lively Green Bazaar, where locals shop for fresh produce, spices, and traditional goods. Stop at the official Rakhat Chocolate Factory store, famous for its iconic Kazakh chocolates.

Continue to the historic Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, a peaceful green space dedicated to World War II heroes. Within the park, admire the impressive Zenkov Cathedral, one of the world’s tallest wooden buildings, constructed entirely without nails and considered a masterpiece of architecture.

The day concludes at Kok-Tobe Hill, one of Almaty’s most scenic viewpoints. From here, enjoy panoramic views over the city and surrounding mountains. Kok-Tobe also features walking paths, small attractions, and the well-known Beatles statue, offering a relaxed and enjoyable finale to the tour.

Location

Activity location
  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Almaty City
    • Almaty City, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Meeting/Redemption Point
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 6WQ8+MW3, Almaty, Kazakhstan | The meeting point is a large bus stop along Abai Street. We will contact you via whatsapp or email before the tour starts.
    • Almaty, Almaty, Kazakhstan