Oi-Qaragai Mountain Resort
Oi-Qaragai is a mountain resort near Almaty where you can find plenty to do in every season. In winter, the resort attracts visitors with its ski slopes and snowboarding opportunities. In summer, you can hike mountain trails, go horseback riding, try some of the more adventurous attractions, or simply enjoy the surrounding scenery.
But Oi-Qaragai is not only about outdoor activities. The resort is home to the world’s largest yurt and even offers a chance to stay in a tree house hidden among the forest. This place has plenty to offer even if skiing is not on your itinerary.
Skiing and Snowboarding
In winter, the ski slopes are the resort’s main attraction. Oi-Qaragai has 28 kilometers (17 mi) of ski runs suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced skiers and snowboarders.
There are separate training slopes for those who are just learning the basics. More experienced skiers and snowboarders can choose from runs of different difficulty levels:
- 9 runs for leisurely skiing;
- 10 runs for advanced skiers and snowboarders;
- 6 runs for extreme skiing;
- a large freeride zone.
The resort has ski equipment rental shops and several training areas for children and adults. More than 100 instructors are ready to help guests learn or improve their skills.
Summer Adventures and Outdoor Activities
Oi-Qaragai is just as interesting outside the winter season. When the snow melts, the resort turns into a large outdoor recreation area surrounded by forests and mountains.
Horseback riding is one of the more relaxed ways to explore the area. You can take a short 5-7-minute sightseeing ride or choose a longer 30-minute or one-hour excursion through the surrounding landscape.
For those looking for something more adventurous, there is the Spirit of the Tian Shan zip-line course, which stretches across the Oi-Qaragai Gorge. Participants are secured to a cable and glide from one point to another. The route is 2,903 meters (1.8 mi) long and is considered one of the largest in Asia and the third-longest in the world.
Another unusual attraction is the high-altitude catapult, which combines elements of a slingshot and a bungee jump. During the launch, participants are propelled up to 15 meters (50 ft) into the air.
The Sky Swing sits at an altitude of 2,140 meters (7021 ft). The giant swing offers panoramic views of the mountains and has become one of the resort’s most popular spots for taking photos.
If you prefer speed, try the Aport Coaster, a mountain attraction inspired by alpine coasters. Riders sit on small sleds that travel along a 990-meter rail track at speeds of up to 40 km/h.
At the ropes course, visitors can make their way through routes of varying difficulty, crossing suspension bridges and other obstacles set among the trees.
There are also plenty of quieter ways to spend the day. Mountain trails run through the gorge, coniferous forests, and plateaus. Guided hikes can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
The resort also offers electric bikes, electric snowmobiles, and mountain karts. There is also a SUP-surfing area, a shooting range, and a year-round tubing run.
Entertainment for Children
Children can spend time at the Ugusha Kids' Center, which has an indoor playroom and an outdoor playground. The center’s staff supervise the children, giving parents time to go skiing, hike in the mountains, or simply relax. The center also hosts birthday parties and other events. Children can also take ski lessons at the center.
Where to Stay?
Oi-Qaragai offers a variety of accommodation options such as comfortable hotel rooms, cottages, yurts, glamping units, and forest cabins.
Cottage rooms are a good choice for those looking for more privacy. Their interiors combine wood and stone. This eco-friendly design fits naturally into the surrounding forest.
The Aq-Qaiyn Hotel offers a more traditional hotel setting. Its rooms are decorated in light colors and feature natural, eco-friendly materials.
For larger groups, the Four Forces (Chetyre Sily) VIP chalets offer plenty of space. The two-story chalets accommodate up to 10 people, with room for up to five additional guests. Each one has five bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace, a dry Finnish sauna, and spacious terraces overlooking the forest and mountains.
At the Orman-Auyly ethnic hotel, guests can stay in traditional Kazakh yurts equipped with modern amenities. It is a way to experience the atmosphere of nomadic life while still having the comforts of a modern stay.
For those who want to stay higher in the mountains, the Tau Tynys glamping site is located at an altitude of 2,140 meters (7021 ft). Each unit has panoramic mountain views and a private sauna.
Another option is the Treehouses. These units have heated floors, modern showers, and spacious terraces overlooking the forest and mountains. In 2014, the Treehouses were named among the world’s top ten eco-hotels.
The Tourist Village is designed with larger groups and outdoor enthusiasts in mind. Its spacious rooms can accommodate between 8 and 19 people.
Finally, there is the Ranger House, a small cabin in the forest that accommodates up to four people. It is particularly suitable for families and small groups who want to stay close to nature. Mountain trails begin right outside the cabin, so it’s a convenient base for early morning hikes.
Spa and Bathhouse
After an active day in the mountains, you can relax at the resort’s spa or Russian banya (steam bath).
The facilities include a hammam, a traditional wood-fired sauna, a large heated vat, cold plunge pools, and baths with antler extract or hydromassage. Facial and body treatments are also available.
Restaurants and Cafes
Oi-Qaragai has several restaurants and cafes, so finding a place for lunch or dinner is easy.
One of the most distinctive options is Ak-Auyl, a Kazakh restaurant located inside a huge yurt. With a diameter of almost 20 meters (66 ft), it holds the Guinness World Record for the largest yurt in the world.
At the high-altitude Eighteen-Twenty 1820 restaurant, guests can choose from European and Asian dishes.
There is also a family-friendly cafe serving European cuisine. It has a cozy, home-like atmosphere and a terrace where guests can sit and enjoy views of the mountains.
Those who enjoy Georgian cuisine can visit Chashnagiri, which serves traditional dishes prepared according to family recipes.
Another option is the Aport-Alatau grill restaurant. It is suitable for tourist groups and combines a varied menu with views of the mountains.
Oi-Qaragai for Events and Gatherings
Oi-Qaragai also has facilities for private celebrations, corporate events, team-building activities, festivals, presentations, and fairs.
For smaller gatherings, guests can use gazebos equipped with barbecue grills and firewood, as well as a campfire area with an amphitheater.
The terrace with a waterfall is another option for team-building activities and small events.
Mountain Spring cottage is perfect for private meetings and gatherings. It has a terrace, a barbecue area, and a kitchen equipped with tableware, microwave, and refrigerator.
The resort also has several larger venues for festivals, presentations, and fairs. Business events can be held in a conference hall or in a yurt equipped with a projector and other presentation equipment. The large conference hall can accommodate up to 200 people and has an adjoining meeting room, lobby, and cloakroom.
Tours and Packages
You can visit Oi-Qaragai for just a few hours or stay at the resort for several days.
The resort offers ready-made one-day packages, as well as packages that include accommodation. There are also "all-inclusive" options that combine accommodation, three meals a day, a full-day ski pass, and access to the Ugusha children's center.
You can also visit Oi-Qaragai as part of one of the tours offered by Welcome.kz, combining a visit to the resort with other attractions in and around Almaty.
How to get there?
To reach Oi-Qaragai from Almaty, follow Al-Farabi Avenue and proceed onto the Eastern Bypass Road until you reach the Talgar tract. After covering a distance of approximately 28 km (17 mi), take a right turn onto Chekhov Street and continue along this road until you reach the resort. The total distance from Almaty to Oi-Qaragai is approximately 44 km (27 mi). Alternatively, you can take bus #210, which directly connects the city to the resort.
Other tourist attractions near Oi-Qaragai Mountain Resort:
- Kotyrbulak Gorge
- Monk's Gorge
- AltynTau Trout Farm
- Butakov Waterfalls
- Boukreev Peak
Gallery
Recommended tours:
All offers_420x650_4ab.jpg "Butakov Waterfalls Trekking Tour")
On request
Butakov Waterfalls can be found in the Ile Alatau Mountains near Almaty. The breathtaking scenery, pristine air, and refreshing coolness have been drawing tourists to this location for quite some time.
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Join us on a trek through the Gorelnik Gorge, a picturesque place just a stone throw away from Almaty. The gorge boasts stunning scenery and three waterfalls.
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Kimasar Gorge is a favorite getaway for Almaty residents. It's easily accessibility by bus or car and a gentle ascent makes it suitable even for inexperienced hikers. The trail is open for hiking nearly year-round.
_420x650_4ab.jpg "Boukreev Peak Trekking Tour")
On request
An easy circular trekking route leading to Boukreev Peak in the Ile Alatau Mountains. Spanning 17 kilometers and designed for a one-day adventure, this trail begins at the Almatau tourist base in the Kotyrbulak gorge.
On request
Left Talgar Gorge is a scenic location adorned with flourishing meadows and dense coniferous forests. The hiking trail starts at the Medeu Skating Rink and culminates at the highest point of the Shymbulak Ski Resort.