Tours to Turgen Waterfalls from Almaty

At toor, we organize one-day tours to the Turgen Waterfalls from Almaty — a cascade of 7 waterfalls 90 km from the city. The price includes transfer, a certified guide, insurance, and entry to the Ile-Alatau Park. Groups are up to 10 people, the route is from 3 to 12 km, and the season is May-October. The price ranges from the basic package to VIP with lunch and a photo shoot.

Cascade of Turgen Waterfalls: what the route includes and what makes each waterfall unique

Organizing a Turgen Waterfalls excursion from Almaty is the best way to see all seven waterfalls in one day without logistical hassle. In the Turgen Gorge, 90 km from Almaty, a cascade of seven waterfalls is hidden — from the noisy 20-meter Medvezhiy (Bear) to the barely noticeable Skrytyy (Hidden). Let's figure out how each one differs and how many of them you can realistically see in one hike.

Seven Waterfalls of the Turgen Gorge: from Medvezhiy to Skrytyy

• Medvezhiy (Bear): a powerful 20-meter stream, the highest in the cascade — visible already at the 3rd kilometer of the route.
• Izumrudnyy (Emerald): turquoise water framed by green moss, 12 meters high — the main photo subject near the entrance.
• Kaskadnyy (Cascade): a stepped drop of eight meters, the water flows over three ledges — the noise can be heard 200 meters away.
• Skazka (Fairy Tale): a 15-meter cascading drop from several ledges, resembling a frozen waterfall due to the abundance of foam.
• Zhemchuzhnyy (Pearl): fine streams scatter into spray, like pearls — only 5 meters high, but the most unusual appearance.
• Dvoynoy (Double): two parallel streams of 10 meters each, flowing down one rock — a rare sight.
• Skrytyy (Hidden): hides behind a rock ledge at the 12th kilometer of the route — not all groups reach it: without a guide, it's easy to miss the turn to it.

Which waterfall is the most picturesque: recommendations from toor guides

According to our guides' experience, the most photogenic waterfalls are Izumrudnyy (turquoise water and moss framing) and Skazka (cascading drop from several ledges). Izumrudnyy is located 15 minutes from the gorge entrance, so even unprepared tourists can reach it before lunch. Skazka, on the other hand, opens up in the middle of the route, after 6 km of trail — it is reached via a dirt road with a gentle elevation gain of 200 meters, passable in regular sneakers. Moreover, Skazka has a small rest area where you can have a snack without disturbing other groups. The best time for shooting is from 10:00 to 12:00, when the sun illuminates the waterfalls from the front, not the side, and the water doesn't create blinding glare.

Table: height, features, and accessibility of each waterfall

The Skrytyy waterfall is the most difficult to access: to see it, you need to complete the full 12 km route, and not all groups make it there.

How to choose a route: easy, medium, or the full 7-waterfall route

Turgen Gorge tours from toor include three walk options — from a short family outing to a full circuit of all seven waterfalls. Let's break down which route suits whom in terms of difficulty and time.

Easy route (3 km): for families with children and beginners

The easy route, 3 km long, is suitable for families with children aged 7+ — the elevation gain is only 200 m, the road is unpaved, without steep climbs. You will walk along a gentle trail by the stream, pass thickets of wild apple trees and juniper, and after an hour — the first landmark: the roar of the Medvezhiy waterfall with its 20-meter sheer drop of water. Another 20 minutes later — Izumrudnyy, where the water falls into a deep turquoise bowl, and the spray creates a rainbow on a sunny day. On this route, you will see the two most spectacular waterfalls, and the total walk time is about 2 hours one way without rushing. For children aged 7-10, this is an optimal load: they get enough exercise but don't get tired to the point of being fussy — bring a change of shoes, as the spray from Medvezhiy reaches the trail.

Medium route (6 km): for prepared tourists

The medium route of 6 km includes four waterfalls — Medvezhiy, Izumrudnyy, Kaskadnyy, and Skazka — with an elevation gain of 400 m and a duration of 4-5 hours. After Izumrudnyy, the trail goes up a rocky slope where you need to cross the stream over logs — a trekking pole, provided at the start, comes in handy here. The Kaskadnyy waterfall flows down three ledges, forming natural "baths," and Skazka hides around a bend in the gorge — it is only visible from close range, about 30 meters away. This option is optimal for those who want to see more but are not ready for the full 12-kilometer trek — the ratio of effort to impressions here is maximum.

Full route (12 km): for experienced hikers

The full route of 12 km leads to all seven waterfalls of the cascade, including the hard-to-reach Zhemchuzhnyy, Dvoynoy, and Skrytyy — elevation gain 600 m, travel time 6-7 hours. After Skazka, the trail narrows to half a meter, runs along a cliff above the Turgenka River — here a view of the Zhemchuzhnyy waterfall opens up, which flows in a thin stream down a mossy rock. Dvoynoy — two parallel streams falling from a 15-meter height, and Skrytyy is located in a side ravine, reached by a steep descent over scree. This hike requires good physical fitness and trekking shoes — the last 3 km go along a rocky trail with elevation changes, where it's difficult to walk without poles.

Route comparison table

If you are undecided between the medium and full routes, choose the medium one: the difference of 2-3 waterfalls is not worth the risk of overexertion, especially on a hot day.

Prices for tours to the Turgen Waterfalls from Almaty: what's included in the cost

An excursion to the Turgen waterfalls with toor has a fixed price with no hidden extras, including transfer, guide, and insurance. Let's break down how much trips to the Turgen Waterfalls cost, what each package includes, and why a fixed price with no hidden extras is the market standard, not an exception. The Turgen Waterfalls price depends on the chosen package: the basic tour includes transfer and a guide, the VIP package includes lunch and a photo shoot.

Basic tour: transfer, guide, and entrance ticket

The basic package includes transfer from Almaty to the village of Turgen, the services of a certified guide, insurance, and entrance tickets to the Ile-Alatau Park — the price is fixed per person with no additional charges. The transfer is by minibus to the start of the hiking route; the guide carries a first-aid kit, raincoats, and a thermos, points out wild apple trees, apricots, and juniper along the way, and talks about the geology of the gorge — these bonuses are not found on a self-guided hike. The park entrance fee (usually 500 tenge per person) is already included in the cost, so you don't need to take out your wallet on the route — this distinguishes an organized trip from a self-made walk, where you pay on the spot.

VIP package: with lunch and photo shoot

The VIP package for 34,695 tenge/person includes everything from the basic package plus a hot lunch on the route and a professional photo shoot at the waterfalls. The lunch is not sandwiches, but a full hot meal that the guide cooks over a fire: this is especially valuable on the full 12 km route, when a high-calorie snack is needed to regain strength. The photo shoot lasts about 30 minutes at the Medvezhiy or Izumrudnyy waterfall — the photographer knows the best angles in the morning light (10:00–12:00), when the water spray creates a rainbow. For a group of up to 10 people, the guide coordinates the menu in advance, taking dietary preferences into account — in case of allergies or vegetarianism, this removes an extra headache.

What is not included in the price: additional expenses on the route

• Paid toilets: booths costing 200 tenge are encountered on the route — the guide warns about them before setting out, so you can bring small change.
• Souvenirs: near the village of Turgen, locals sell honey, wild apricot jam, and felt souvenirs — cash will come in handy, as there are no card terminals.
• Additional snacks: lunch is not provided in the basic package, but the guide makes a stop at springs where you can fill your bottle with free water — buying it in a store is not necessary.

Seasonality: when is the best time to go to the Turgen Waterfalls

We'll tell you when is the best time to head to the Turgen Waterfalls to catch the maximum water flow, and which waterfalls are especially good in which months. A hiking tour Turgen Almaty is best planned for May or September — during these months the waterfalls are most full-flowing, and the weather is comfortable for long walks.

May — peak water flow: which waterfalls are the most powerful

In May, after the snow melts, the Turgen Waterfalls are at their most full-flowing — especially Medvezhiy (20 m) and Izumrudnyy, which are at their most powerful at this time. The water flow at Medvezhiy in May is 2-3 times more powerful than in August, and Izumrudnyy turns into a solid wall of water 4-5 meters wide — in the dry season, it's a narrow stream. The water temperature in May stays at 8-10 °C, and swimming in the waterfalls is not advisable, but the photos turn out the most spectacular due to the abundance of foam and spray. We have 70% of places booked for May 2-3 weeks before the date — groups leave completely full.

Summer (June-August): comfortable weather and greenery in the gorge

In summer, the air temperature at the Turgen Waterfalls is 20-25 °C, the water warms up to 10-12 °C, and the gorge is covered with lush greenery of wild apple and apricot trees. In June, the grass on the trails is juicy, and the route to the Kaskadnyy waterfall goes through a flowering meadow with wild rosehips — by July-August, it has already dried out. In mid-summer, some waterfalls become shallower — especially Zhemchuzhnyy and Skrytyy, but Izumrudnyy and Skazka remain full-flowing thanks to underground springs that feed them year-round. Groups of up to 10 people pass through us every weekend in the summer, and for July-August, we recommend booking a week in advance — there are always spots on weekdays.

September-October: golden autumn and few people

In September-October, there are fewer tourists at the Turgen Waterfalls, the foliage of juniper and wild apple trees turns yellow, and the water remains clean and cool — 8-10 °C. In September, the water flow at the Medvezhiy waterfall drops to 60% of the May level, but the Kaskadnyy and Dvoynoy waterfalls retain up to 80% of their flow thanks to groundwater. October is the last month of the season: after mid-October, the roads in the gorge can be washed out by rain, and tour operators close the route until May. If you are planning a hike to the Turgen Waterfalls at the end of October, check the weather 3 days in advance — during prolonged rains, the outing is cancelled due to the risk of rockfalls.

What to bring with you: a gear checklist from a toor guide

A one-day tour to the Turgen Waterfalls requires minimal gear — trekking boots, a raincoat, and 1.5 liters of water per person. We've compiled a checklist for a hike to the Turgen Waterfalls — explaining why each item is critical and what happens if you forget it.

Footwear: why trekking boots and not sneakers

For the route to the Turgen Waterfalls, toor recommends trekking boots or sneakers with a deep tread — sneakers and ballet flats slip on wet rocks near the waterfalls. The trail goes over sandstone screes, through fords near the Izumrudnyy waterfall, and along streams: a sole without a pattern doesn't grip on wet granite, and you risk falling into the water from the height of a person. Trekking boots have an 8-12 mm Vibram tread that grips wet slate, whereas sneakers with a smooth rubber sole 3-5 mm thick already slip on the wet grass near the Medvezhiy waterfall. In five years of work, guides have seen the most injuries precisely because of footwear: ankle sprains on wet boulders are the most common reason a group returns half an hour early.

Clothing and raincoat: protection from wind and water

The weather in the gorge changes in 15–20 minutes — we provide a raincoat to each participant, but we also recommend having your own windbreaker: the wind near the waterfalls intensifies the feeling of cold by 5–7 °C due to water spray. On a windless day, it's +25 °C at the entrance, and an hour later at the Kaskadnyy waterfall, it's +16 °C with fine mist: a t-shirt gets wet in ten minutes, and you're cold for the rest of the route. A windbreaker made of Windstopper membrane or thick polyester blocks the wind and retains heat, unlike a cotton jacket, which weighs twice as much after rain and takes a day to dry. The raincoat from toor is a thick 120-micron polyethylene cape that doesn't tear on juniper branches and protects your backpack from getting wet along the entire trail.

Food and water: what to bring and what to leave

• Snack: nuts, muesli bars, sandwiches with hard cheese — chocolate and cookies melt in the backpack within an hour at +28 °C on the open clearings of the gorge.
• Water: 1–1.5 liters per person — there are springs with drinking water at the start of the trail and near the Medvezhiy waterfall, but between them are four kilometers of elevation gain without sources.
• What to leave at home: soda and juices — they increase thirst due to sugar, and you drink your entire supply in the first two kilometers instead of rationing it for six hours.
• VIP option: in the package with lunch, the guide cooks a hot meal over a fire near the Izumrudnyy waterfall — this eliminates the need to carry 0.5–0.7 kg of food in your backpack and saves space for water.

Checklist: what to definitely bring to the Turgen Waterfalls

• Trekking boots: protection against slipping on wet boulders — the alternative leads to sprains or falling into the stream near the waterfalls.
• Windbreaker and raincoat: temperature swing from +28 °C at the entrance to +16 °C at the cascades with water spray — without them, you get wet and cold in an hour.
• 1.5 liters of water: springs are not along the entire route — between two sources are four kilometers of ascent without a drinking point.
• Snack of 500–600 kcal: nuts, bars, sandwiches — chocolate and cookies melt, soda increases thirst.
• Sunglasses: in open areas, UV rays reflect off the rocks, and without them, your head hurts by evening — tested on groups in July.
• Headwear and a charged phone: a cap for sun on the clearings, a fully charged phone — for photos and communication if the group splits up near the Kaskadnyy waterfall.

Safety on the route and common tourist mistakes

Let's break down the most common mistakes tourists make at the Turgen Waterfalls and how the guide helps avoid them — from wrong footwear to a late start.

Why a guide is needed: safety and route knowledge

A certified guide at the Turgen Waterfalls is not just a tour guide, but a local specialist who knows every turn of the trail, rockfall spots, and springs with safe water. After the snow melts in May, stream beds shift by a meter or two, and a trail marked on the map may lead straight to a washed-out cliff edge — a local guide sees these changes and adjusts the path in real-time. He also determines the order of visiting the waterfalls to avoid crossing paths with other groups: up to five groups can be on the route simultaneously, and near the Dvoynoy waterfall, the trail is narrow, where two people cannot pass. Without a guide, it's easy to miss the turn to the Skrytyy waterfall — the trail to it is unmarked, and tourists often walk past it, thinking the cascade ends at Dvoynoy.

Five common mistakes tourists make at the Turgen Waterfalls

• Wrong footwear: sneakers with a smooth sole slip on wet rocks near the waterfalls — trekking boots or sneakers with a tread depth of at least 4 mm grip wet granite.
• Lack of a raincoat: the weather in the gorge changes in 15 minutes — without a raincoat, you get soaked through and risk hypothermia even at +20 °C at the start.
• Late start after 10:00: if you leave Almaty after nine, there won't be enough daylight for the full 12 km route, and the group returns in the dark along a rocky trail without flashlights.
• Insufficient water: there are two springs with drinking water on the route, and between them — 4 km of open area without shade, where you can lose up to 0.5 liters of fluid per hour.
• Attempting the full route without preparation: beginners without experience walking over rough terrain with a 600-meter elevation gain lose coordination by the seventh hour and risk twisting an ankle on roots.

What we do for group safety

We form groups of up to 10 people — this is the optimal size for the guide to be able to monitor each participant and not lose sight of anyone on the trail. In large groups of 20-25 people, which some aggregators run, the guide physically cannot notice that a tourist has fallen behind or gone to the water — in our group, the guide knows everyone's name and sees where each person is. The guide always has a first-aid kit, a radio, and a charged phone — there are areas on the route without cellular service, and the radio allows communication with the transfer driver in an emergency, for example, in case of an ankle injury on the descent to the Medvezhiy waterfall.

Conclusion

We've gathered the main things you need to know before a trip to the Turgen Waterfalls: from choosing a route to mandatory gear — so you don't miss anything important.

Key takeaways

• Cascade of seven waterfalls: The Turgen Waterfalls are located 90 km from Almaty and are accessible to tourists of any fitness level — from an easy 3 km walk to a full 12 km route.
• Best season: May (maximum water flow) and September (golden autumn, minimum tourists); the season lasts from May to October, in July-August the waterfalls become shallower, but swimming is possible.
• Mandatory gear: trekking boots with a stiff sole, a raincoat (the weather in the gorge changes in 15 minutes), 1.5 liters of water per person, and a snack — there are no cafes on the route, but there are springs with drinking water.
• Risks of a self-guided hike: without a guide, it's easy to miss the Skrytyy waterfall (it hides behind a rock ledge) and end up in an area where mobile signal disappears for 2-3 hours of the trail.
• Price: the cost of the trip depends on the package — the basic one includes round-trip transfer, guide services, insurance, and entrance tickets; the extended package adds a hot lunch and a professional photo shoot at the waterfalls.