Almaty Circular Trek

This route unveils the diverse contrasts and beauties of the Ile Alatau Mountains. Highlights include a visit to the Shymbulak Ski Resort, lunch in a traditional Kazakh yurt, crossing a glacier, witnessing the stunning Big Almaty Lake, and the unique opportunity to swim in a pond created by the Shukur Waterfall.
  • Best Period: from July to September
  • Available: from June to October
  • Tour Duration: 4 Days
  • Complexity: Moderate
  • Height Difference: 2200-3980 m. above s.l.
  • Starting Point: Almaty
  • Private Tour
Highly qualified staff
We spend more than 1000 hours a year on staff training in reputable training centers.
Charity
Our company sends 1% of the cost of the services you purchase to the Red Crescent Fund of Kazakhstan.
Guarantee
Only we guarantee the quality of our services and compensate the cost for poorly rendered services.
Experience
More than 25,000 satisfied guests from 67 countries of the world.

The price of the private tour will vary based on the number of people in the group, including children aged 16 and over. Please note that the cost for a child's participation in the tour will be the same as an adult. The price per person shown below is based on a group of two individuals.

On request
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General information and booking terms

4 Days

Distance

50 km

50 km
Almaty Circular Trek
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Almaty Circular Trek

Itinerary

Day 1 – Your guide will meet you at your hotel in Almaty at 9:00 AM. A comfortable car will be provided for your transfer to the Medeu Skating Rink, from where we will take a cable car to Talgar Pass, the highest level of the Shymbulak Ski Resort. Following lunch in a traditional Kazakh yurt on the pass, our hike will commence. On this tour, you will see some of the best sights of the Ile Alatau Mountains. Our initial destination is the Small Talgar Pass, where you'll relish a breathtaking panorama of snow-capped peaks, including Til and Ayak glaciers, as well as Chkalov and Athlete peaks. Descending to the river in Left Talgar Gorge, we'll pause for a rest and a snack. Continuing our ascent along the river, we'll gradually gain elevation and set up camp in a spacious glade known as Alpine Rose, situated near a spring. After a fireside dinner, you can unwind and rest.

Overnight stay in the tent camp at an altitude of 2450 m (8040 ft) above sea level 
The hiking distance covered on this day  8 km (5 mi)
Hiking time
4 hours

Day 2 – Today, we get up at 7:00 AM for breakfast and camp disassembling. At 9:00 AM, our ascent up the gorge begins. Most of the journey will be along a well-established path, except for a challenging stretch where we navigate through debris. Overcoming this obstacle, we'll reach a small picturesque lake formed after a powerful landslide in 2003. Continuing onward, we'll proceed to the Sun Glade, offering a magnificent view of the four-thousanders, Pushkin and Constitution peaks. We will have lunch near the confluence of the Tourists and Left Talgar rivers. Following a rest, we embark on a steep climb up the Tourists Gorge. The camp will be set up in a scenic glade near the foothills of SGU Peak, a stunning and massive mountain that provides a captivating backdrop for photographs. Once the camp is established, we'll prepare dinner and unwind.

Overnight stay in the tent camp at an altitude of 3550 m (11650 ft) above sea level 
Hiking distance covered on this day  12 km (7.5 mi)
Hiking time 
7-8 hours

Day 3 – We'll get up at around 7:00 am, gearing up for an early start on this day's trek to conquer the Tourists Pass—the highest and most challenging section of our entire route. Following breakfast, we'll start our ascent up the gorge, passing moraine lakes and catching sight of the stunning 4,380-meter Peak of Soviet Mountaineers. The Tourists Glacier follows, easily navigable on foot during the summer months.

Upon reaching the pass, we'll pause for a brief rest, a snack break, and the opportunity to capture photos of the breathtaking peaks, all towering above four thousand meters. In clear skies, you'll also spot the highest point of the Ile Alatau Mountains—Talgar Peak, standing at an impressive 5017 meters (16460 ft). Following our break, we'll descend to the valley of the Kyzylsai River, covering a descent of almost 900 meters (2950 ft). Our campsite will be set up at the confluence of two rivers, Kyzylsai and Ozyornaya, where we'll have time to relax, take a stroll in the surroundings, and have dinner.

Overnight stay in the tent camp at an altitude of 3110 m (10200 ft) above sea level
Hiking distance covered on this day  11 km (7 mi)
Hiking time
6-7 hours

Day 4 – We'll get up at 7:00 AM, have breakfast, and pack our belongings. Then we will go down the Ozernoye Gorge towards Big Almaty Lake. Before reaching the lake's dam, we'll turn right and ascend to the ridge that separates Ozernoye Gorge and Shukur Gorge. Along the way, we'll pause for a snack break. The trail will then lead us down to the Moon Glade. Passing through a small forest, we'll ascend the narrow, rocky Shukur Gorge, where a small waterfall awaits. You'll have the opportunity to swim in the pool near the waterfall before we rest, have another snack, and descend to the Moon Glade. From there, we'll follow a road to the Alpine Rose Mountain Resort, where a car will be waiting to transport you back to Almaty.

Hiking distance covered on this day  14 km (9 mi)
Hiking time
7-8 hours

Important Information and Recommendations:

    Age restriction: 16+
    Ensure that you have a current and valid passport with you on the day of travel.
    If you have any specific dietary requirements or restrictions, please inform us at the time of booking so that we can make appropriate arrangements. Traditional local cuisine typically includes lamb or beef, dough, and milk products.
    For a comfortable trekking experience, ensure you have the following essentials: clothing that allows unrestricted movement (shorts, pants, leggings, and a t-shirt or lightweight long-sleeved shirt), a cap or Panama hat for sun and heat protection, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Choose shoes suitable for varied mountain terrain, such as tourist trekking boots with a good sole and high lacing, and a Gore-Tex or other membrane water and wind-resistant jacket and pants. Pack an extra set of warm clothing for nights in the tent, extra warm socks, a beanie or warm hat, gloves, a headlamp, personal dishes (fork, spoon, cup, plate, water container), a thermos for hot tea, trekking poles, a personal first aid kit, a sleeping bag suitable for at least -5 degrees Celsius, energy bars or other snacks.

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