Turgen Waterfalls from Almaty: Complete Guide to the Gorge

Turghen Waterfalls is a natural complex 70 km from Almaty, where in one day you can see Medvezhy Waterfall (30 m), the Kairak Cascade (15 m), and a trout farm. The route is easy, suitable for beginners and children. The best season is May–October. Entrance fee is 500 KZT per person, parking is 300 KZT.

What are Turghen Waterfalls and what makes them interesting

The Turghen Gorge is one of the most accessible natural places near Almaty. Here, in one day, you can see two waterfalls, walk along a mountain trail, and try fresh trout.

Where are Turghen Waterfalls located and what does the gorge look like

The Turghen Gorge is located 70 km east of the city, at an altitude of 1200–1800 meters above sea level — this is the Zailiysky Alatau zone with dense coniferous forest and the Turghen mountain river. The drive from the southern part of Almaty takes about an hour by car on an asphalt road to the turnoff for the village of Turghen, then another 20 minutes on a dirt road to the parking lot. The gorge stretches 25 km along the river, which has carved a narrow canyon in the rocks with elevation changes of up to 600 m — it is these changes that create the waterfalls. On the slopes grow Tien Shan spruces, aspens, and wild raspberry bushes, and in shady ravines, snow lies even in mid-summer. Due to the elevation difference, the gorge is always 3–5°C cooler than the city, so even on a hot July day, it is worth bringing a light jacket.

The two main waterfalls and the trout farm

In the gorge, there are two main waterfalls — Medvezhy (30 m high) and Kairak (15 m cascade), and a 10-minute drive from the parking lot is a trout farm with rainbow trout ponds. Medvezhy is the highest point of the route; its stream falls from a sheer cliff into a small lake where you can swim in summer. Kairak is located downstream: the water flows down three ledges, forming a stepped cascade — it is because of this structure that the spray creates a rainbow in sunny weather. The Turghen trout farm offers fresh fish straight from the ponds: you can order fish soup or smoked trout, and also buy live fish to take home. Medvezhy is the highest in the gorge, but Kairak is more interesting for photos due to its cascade structure and more accessible angle.

Who is the trip suitable for: difficulty and accessibility

The route to the waterfalls is a leisurely walk, without steep climbs, suitable for beginners, elderly people, and children from 5 years old: 2 km to Medvezhy along a flat trail, 1.5 km to Kairak. The trails are dirt, with wooden decking in places, so a stroller can be pushed, though on some sections you will have to carry it. The entire walk, including viewing both waterfalls and lunch at the trout farm, takes 3–4 hours without rushing. The only difficult section is the wet rocks near the water, so it is better for a child to wear sneakers with non-slip soles rather than sandals.

When to go: seasons and weather by month

The weather in the gorge changes greatly by month: from muddy April to golden September. We tell you when to go for full-flowing waterfalls, and when for peace and autumn colors.

May–June — peak water and greenery

May and June are the best months for a trip: the waterfalls are at their fullest due to snowmelt, temperature +15..+20°C, the gorge is bright green. During this time, Kairak Waterfall and Medvezhy are at full force — the water flow is several times more powerful than in August, when the snowfields have already melted. There are still puddles on the trails, especially after night rains, but the sun quickly dries the ground during the day. Daylight hours are long — light until 9 PM, allowing you to take your time and allocate 4–5 hours for the route. In May, the trail may still be muddy after rains, so comfortable waterproof shoes are more important than in dry September.

July–August — hot in the city, cool in the gorge

In July–August, it is +30°C in Almaty, and +25..+27°C in the gorge — an ideal option for escaping the city heat, but the water in the river remains cold (+8..+10°C). The waterfalls noticeably shrink: if in May the roar of Kairak Waterfall is heard half a kilometer away, by mid-August the flow decreases by half, and the water spray no longer reaches the viewing platform. However, the trails are completely dry, there is no mud, and the road in a regular sedan is passable without problems — the dirt road to the gorge dries out by this time. Swimming in the Turghen River is not advisable even in the heat — the water temperature does not rise above +10°C, and the current is fast with a slippery bottom.

September–October — golden autumn and few people

September is the second most comfortable season after May: +20..+25°C, dry, few tourists, and the foliage in the gorge takes on a golden hue; in October +10..+15°C, rainy, leaves fall. At the beginning of September, the tourist flow sharply decreases — if in August there are 20–30 cars at popular spots like Medvezhy Waterfall at once, in mid-September you will meet 5–7 groups. October rains wash out the dirt road, and without an SUV, it becomes risky by the end of the month. At the end of September, the waterfalls are not as powerful as in May, but the trails are dry and there are far fewer people — for a quiet walk, this is the best option.

November–March — winter season: frozen waterfalls and four-wheel drive

From November to March, the waterfalls freeze, the road to the gorge becomes slippery and requires four-wheel drive, the temperature drops to -5..-10°C — a trip is possible, but only in a prepared vehicle. Ice formations on Kairak Waterfall reach 3–4 meters in height, and the stream itself turns into an ice column with translucent blue layers — a sight that local photographers go specifically for. The road from Asy-Sagyz to the start of the trail is covered with snow, and without high ground clearance or chains, it is impossible to pass, especially after December blizzards. The frozen Medvezhy Waterfall looks impressive — ice formations create bizarre shapes, but without a guide and warm gear (down jacket, trekking boots), it is better not to venture.

April — start of the season: muddy, but already possible

In April, it's +10..+15°C, the snow in the gorge is melting, the trails are muddy and slippery — the season is just beginning, but with good weather you can already go if you're not afraid of getting your shoes dirty. The waterfalls are gaining strength: by the end of April, the flow is already comparable to May's, but there's still little greenery — the slopes are gray-brown, the first leaves appear only in early May. The parking lot at the entrance to the gorge is not yet crowded, and you can easily find a spot on a weekend day. April is the month when tourists in sedans most often get stuck on the dirt road: the road gets muddy, and it's better not to risk it without an SUV.

How to get there from Almaty: car, taxi, tour

You can get to the Turgen Waterfalls in three ways: by your own car, by taxi, or as part of a tour. Let's break down the pros and cons of each option.

By your own car: route, road, and nuances

From Almaty to the Turgen Waterfalls — 70 km along the A-3 highway to the village of Turgen, then 10 km of dirt road to the parking lot; in dry weather, any sedan can make it, after rain — only four-wheel drive. The paved A-3 takes 1–1.5 hours, the turn onto the dirt road is right after the village, the landmark is a sign for the gorge; the first 4 km of road are solid, but closer to the parking lot, ruts and stones appear. The dirt road from the village to the gorge is the trickiest section: in dry weather, it's passable for any car, but after rain, it turns into a clay mush where a sedan will definitely bottom out, and getting out without a winch or tractor is almost impossible — so in the rainy season, locals only drive Nivas or UAZs, leaving sedans at the parking lot near the highway.

Taxi from Almaty: price and features

A taxi from the city to the parking lot at the waterfalls costs 15,000–20,000 KZT one way at a fixed price in Yandex Go or inDrive — the driver will take you directly to the spot, but you'll have to arrange a meeting time for the return trip: there are almost no free cars in the village of Turgen, and the connection in the gorge is unstable, so it's better to order the return ride in advance from the city while the internet still works, otherwise you risk waiting for a hitchhiker on the highway until evening.

Tour from toor: what's included and how much it costs

toor organizes a one-day tour to the Turgen Waterfalls from 12,000 KZT per person — the price includes transfer from the city, guide services, entrance tickets, and insurance. Departure at 9 am from Republic Square, return by 5–6 pm; on the route, the guide shows not only the Medvezhy and Kayraksky waterfalls but also hidden viewpoints that you wouldn't stumble upon on foot. Unlike a self-guided trip, where entrance tickets (500 KZT) and parking (300 KZT) are paid separately, in the tour all fees are already included — no extra payments along the way.

Comparison: self-guided trip vs toor tour

With a group of 2 people, the tour is twice as profitable as a taxi, and with a group of 4 people, it's three times as profitable, plus you get a guide who knows the route and safe photo spots.

Routes: Medvezhy and Kayraksky waterfalls

From the parking lot, two trails lead to the waterfalls — to Medvezhy and Kayraksky. We'll tell you how long to walk, what to see, and which waterfall to choose if time is limited.

Medvezhy Waterfall: trail, height, features

Medvezhy is the highest in the gorge (30 m), the trail from the parking lot is 2 km one way, travel time is 30–40 minutes on foot, markings are good, it's impossible to get lost. The trail starts right after the checkpoint, goes along the stream through a pine forest, the climb is gentle — the elevation change is only 150 meters, so even tourists without training can handle it. The first 500 meters of ground are compacted, further on it's a natural rocky terrain with tree roots, comfortable shoes are mandatory. At the foot of this waterfall, there's a constant cloud of water spray — in 5 minutes by the water, you'll get wet, so a raincoat or windbreaker is mandatory, even on a sunny day.

Kayraksky Waterfall: cascade and photo spots

Kayraksky is a cascade waterfall, 15 m high, the trail is shorter — 1.5 km from the parking lot, takes 20–25 minutes, there's a convenient platform for photos and a picnic near the waterfall. The trail branches off from the main one 300 meters before Medvezhy, goes left down to the river — there's a sign, but sometimes it's covered with leaves, so navigate by the sound of the water. The platform in front of the waterfall is a flat pebble terrace about 20 meters in diameter, it can accommodate 10–15 people, there are a couple of fallen logs for sitting. Kayraksky is more photogenic than Medvezhy precisely because of its cascade structure — the water flows down three ledges, creating a multi-layered shot, especially in sunny weather.

How much time to allocate for the entire trip

For the entire trip from Almaty, allocate 6–8 hours: 1–1.5 hours of road one way, 2–3 hours for both waterfalls, and 30–40 minutes for the trout farm. If you want to visit only one, you'll fit into 4–5 hours by choosing Kayraksky: it's closer and more compact. The route to both waterfalls with a return to the parking lot takes about 2.5 hours without accounting for photo stops — with them, feel free to add another hour. If you're going on your own, add another 30–40 minutes for finding parking and buying tickets — on weekends, there might be a queue of 5–10 cars at the entrance.

Can you swim in the waterfalls and river

Swimming in the waterfalls and the Turgen River is not allowed — even in July, the water temperature does not rise above +10°C, the current is fast, and the bottom is covered with slippery stones. At the foot of Medvezhy, the depth of the pool reaches 2–3 meters, at Kayraksky — up to a meter, but in both cases, underwater rocks and snags are hidden by foam and spray. Over the past two seasons, rescuers have pulled 2–3 tourists out of the water per month — most slipped on wet boulders at the edge. The only place where you can safely enter the water is the lower pond of the trout farm, but it is intended for fishing, not swimming.

Trout Farm: Fishing and Relaxation

A 10-minute drive from the waterfalls, there is a trout farm — a place where you can fish, have lunch, and relax before the return trip.

How the Trout Farm Works: Ponds, Fish, Prices

The farm in the Turgen Gorge is a system of ponds with rainbow trout, where you can fish (2000 KZT per kg of catch) or buy fresh fish to cook on the grill. The ponds are stocked, and the water comes directly from the mountain river Turgen — so the trout grows in natural cold water and has firm meat without the characteristic river smell. There are three ponds of different sizes on site: the largest has adult fish weighing 1.5–2.5 kg, the two smaller ones have young fish up to 500 grams, which are convenient to fry whole. Fishing rods and tackle can be rented on site for 500 KZT, and a bucket for the catch is provided for free. You only pay for the fish you catch — if you catch nothing, you pay nothing. Fishing here is paid, but the catch is guaranteed — the ponds are stocked, and trout bite even for beginners, so you can catch 2–3 kg in an hour.

What You Can Cook and Where to Eat

On the farm's territory, there are grill areas and gazebos — you can fry the caught trout right on the spot, and if you don't want to cook, there is a nearby cafe with hot dishes. The cafe serves trout soup (1200 KZT per portion), fried trout with a side dish (2500 KZT), and chicken shashlik (1500 KZT). Charcoal for the grill is sold at the entrance — a 5 kg bag for 800 KZT, salt and spices can be requested for free. The gazebos are designed for 4–6 people, and on weekends, they are all occupied by lunchtime — arrive at 10–11 AM to secure a spot. Trout cooked 30 minutes after being caught tastes radically different from store-bought — the meat is firm, slightly sweet, and without a river smell.

How to Combine Waterfalls and the Trout Farm in One Day

toor offers a combined tour that includes visits to both waterfalls and the trout farm — the route is designed so that you have time for the waterfalls and a lunch of fresh trout. A typical schedule: departure from Almaty at 9:00 AM, by 10:30 AM you are at the waterfall parking lot, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM — a walk to Medvezhy and Kayraksky, at 1:30 PM — the trout farm, lunch until 3:00 PM, back to the city by 4:30–5:00 PM. In the combined tour, the guide arranges a table and time with the farm in advance — you don't waste time waiting and don't risk all gazebos being occupied.

Where to Stay: Accommodation in the Gorge and the Village of Turgen

If you plan not to return to Almaty on the same day, there are several accommodation options in the village of Turgen and right in the gorge — from guest houses to cabins by the water.

Guest Houses in the Village of Turgen

In the village of Turgen (10 km from the waterfalls), guest houses operate from 10,000 KZT per night — basic conditions (bed, shower, toilet), but there are shops and cafes within walking distance. An average option for 3–4 people costs 25,000–35,000 KZT per day, and hosts usually allow use of the kitchen and grill in the yard. The downsides — during peak season (May–September), noise from the highway is audible, and hot water is only available in the evenings, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Such houses are often booked for weekends 2–3 days in advance, especially in May–September, so it's better to call ahead rather than rely on walk-in check-in.

Accommodation Right in the Gorge: Cabins and Recreation Centers

In the gorge itself, there are several recreation centers with cabins — prices from 15,000 KZT per night, conditions are better than in the village (private bathroom, heating, grill), but booking is needed a week in advance. The most popular options are the "Turgen Thermae" complex with a pool and sauna (from 25,000 KZT per cabin) and the "Ak-Bulak" base with a river view (from 18,000 KZT). Upon check-in, ask if there is firewood for the grill — at some bases, it is sold separately for 3,000–5,000 KZT per bundle. Overnight in the gorge gives a main bonus — you catch the sunrise at the waterfalls when there are no other tourists, and take unique shots without people in the frame.

Infrastructure: Shops, Cafes, Gas Stations

In the village of Turgen, there is a grocery store and a couple of cafes with hot food, but in the gorge itself, there is only a kiosk with drinks at the entrance to the waterfalls, so it's better to bring your main food with you. The store in Turgen is open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with a modest selection — cereals, canned goods, bread, water, and sweets; there is no fresh meat or vegetables. The cafes "Asyl" and "Turgen" offer beshbarmak (1,200 KZT), lagman (1,000 KZT), and tea with baursaks — lunch for two comes to 3,500–5,000 KZT. The nearest gas station is in the village of Turgen, 10 km from the waterfalls, so before the return trip, it's better to check the fuel level: there are no gas stations in the gorge.

Price Guide: Entrance, Parking, Taxi, Tour, Accommodation

We summarize all expenses for a trip to the Turgen Waterfalls in one table — from entrance to a tour with a guide, so you see the real budget without surprises.

Table of All Trip Expenses

A group of four people on a tour will pay 48000 KZT in total, while a round-trip taxi costs 60000–80000 KZT — the difference covers transfer, guide, and lunch, so for a group of three or more, the tour is more cost-effective than a taxi even without considering meals and accompaniment.

Conclusion

We've gathered the key takeaways for the trip — from the road to gear — so you don't miss anything when planning.

Key takeaways

• The drive takes 1.5–2 hours from Almaty, the last 10 km is gravel road, suitable for any car.
• The best time to visit is May–June (high water) or September–October (golden autumn without crowds).
• An independent trip is more cost-effective for a group of 4 or more, while a tour is better for solo travelers or those who value comfort.
• Be sure to bring comfortable shoes, water, and warm clothing — even in summer, the gorge is cool and damp.
• Plan 3–5 hours for the hike to the waterfalls and back, including stops for photos and rest.