Excursion · Auto Tour

Almaty: Scenic Spots in Comfort

4.9 · 24 reviews

Discover the scenic corners of Almaty and its surroundings in a comfortable car. The route includes viewpoints, mountain lakes, and cozy cafes — perfect for those who want to see the city from a new perspective without the hustle and bustle.

WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration8 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $72/person

Program

Tour itinerary of Almaty's scenic spots

09:00

Departure from Almaty

Start from your hotel or the city center. Meet your guide and comfortable car.

09:30

Kok-Tobe

Ascend the green hill for a panoramic view of the city and mountains. Take photos against the TV tower.

11:00

Medeu and Shymbulak

Visit the high-altitude Medeu skating rink and take the cable car up to the Shymbulak ski resort.

13:00

Lunch in the gorge

Lunch at a traditional cafe with mountain views (Kazakh cuisine, paid separately).

14:30

Big Almaty Lake

A trip to a picturesque high-altitude lake surrounded by firs and rocks. Walk and take photos.

16:30

Return to Almaty

Transfer back, drop-off at your hotel or city center.

What's included

What's included in the scenic spots tour

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transfer in a comfortable car (Hyundai Staria or similar)
  • Services of a professional guide-driver
  • Entrance tickets to Kok-Tobe (cable car)
  • Entrance tickets to Medeu and cable car to Shymbulak
  • Bottled water on the road

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Lunch (from $10 per person)
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, additional excursions)

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Warm jacket (it's cool in the mountains even in summer)
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Camera or phone with a good camera
  • Water bottle (can be refilled)

Team

Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty

Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.

Alexander Пашкин — Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу★4.52

Alexander Пашкин

Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу

52 review · experience 10 years

Andrey Шевелёв — Driver-guide★4.74

Andrey Шевелёв

Driver-guide

73 review · experience 13 years

Анжелика Чвыкова — Гид-фотограф★4.27

Анжелика Чвыкова

Гид-фотограф

58 reviews · experience 11 years

Ильяс Дарбеков — Гид-переводчик★4.27

Ильяс Дарбеков

Гид-переводчик

36 reviews · experience 6 years

Мадина Данина — Организатор туров★4.55

Мадина Данина

Организатор туров

65 reviews · experience 15 лет

Сергей Бабичев — Personal guide-водитель★4.49

Сергей Бабичев

Personal guide-водитель

65 reviews · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the tour Almaty: Scenic Spots in Comfort

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
TS
Timur S.
Google ·
★★★★★

We wanted to see the mountains and the city at the same time, so we chose the route with Kok-Tobe and Shymbulak. My husband and I went together, he loves taking photos, and I just enjoy the views. The driver drove very carefully and along the way told interesting stories about Almaty. We went up to Kok-Tobe by cable car — the panorama is stunning, especially on a sunny day. Then we headed to Shymbulak, rode the cable car there, and walked along the slopes. The queue for the ascent was small, we waited about ten minutes, but it didn't spoil the impression. We had lunch at a cafe in the gorge, the dishes were tasty, though for an additional fee. The day flew by unnoticed, thank you for the excellent organization!

Verified review · Order #48570
SP
Svetlana P.
Google ·
★★★★★

Tour to Kok-Tobe with a company. The guide was very attentive to the children. We liked everything: beautiful places, a comfortable minivan, good organization. Departure was delayed by 20 minutes because of another tourist, but we were informed.

Verified review · Order #47249
MB
Marat B.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Took a tour to Big Almaty Lake with the guide. The lakes are incredible, the guide showed hidden trails. Only the road is a bit bumpy.

Verified review · Order #44045
DB
Dima B.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

Took a tour to Big Almaty Lake with a driver-guide. The guide showed places with few people and the beauty is unreal. Super.

Verified review · Order #41600
NA
Nurlan A.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Bral tur na Bolshoe Almatinskoe ozero s gid. Ozero cvet neobyknovenniy. Rekomenduyu.

Verified review · Order #40958
GS
Gulnara S.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went to Shymbulak with the guide. The mountains amazed us, the guide knows every path. Very satisfied.

Verified review · Order #37735
ML
Maksim L.
Google ·
★★★★★

Tour to Kok-Tobe with the driver. The view of the city at sunset is stunning. The guide took cool photos. The road is a bit rough but okay.

Verified review · Order #36925
AN
Arman N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

The tour to Kok-Tobe and Shymbulak exceeded expectations. The guide showed the best photo spots. The road is dusty but the impressions were worth it.

Verified review · Order #36516
AM
Aidyn M.
Google ·
★★★★★

I took the tour to Kok-Tobe and Medeu with a guide. Very picturesque places, the guide guided well.

Verified review · Order #35166
AE
Aleksey E.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

vzyal individualniy tur po Almaty s gidom-voditelem. On pokazal mesta kotorie ne naydesh v putevoditelyah. Ochen' interesnie istorii. Edinstvenniy minus - nemnogo opozdali na nachalo (15 minut). Dlya menya eto ne kriticno.

Verified review · Order #34206
OP
Olga P.
Google ·
★★★★★

I came to Almaty for a few days on business, but I had a free day and wanted to see the city not via standard routes. I booked an individual trip with a driver-guide. He met me at the hotel and immediately put me at ease. First we went to the viewpoint — the view of the city and mountains is simply breathtaking, especially in clear weather. Then we went down to the high-mountain skating rink, walked around there, and took beautiful photos. The guide told a lot about history and culture and answered all questions. We had lunch at a cozy cafe in the gorge — the atmosphere is amazing, although I paid for lunch myself. There was enough time for everything, we weren't in a hurry. I'm very pleased, I recommend it to those who want to see the city from an unusual side.

Verified review · Order #32640
AZ
Asel Zh.
Google ·
★★★★★

My friend and I had long dreamed of visiting Medeu but didn't know how to organize everything. We found this tour, and it turned out to be the perfect solution. The guide is wonderful, very friendly and attentive, she immediately created a relaxed atmosphere. We went up by cable car, the views of the mountains and the city are simply incredible. At the skating rink itself we walked around, breathed fresh air, and took lots of photos. Then we drove on to the lake, the road is scenic, though bumpy in places. In the gorge we stopped for lunch — the food is Kazakh, very tasty, but we paid separately. Overall the day went wonderfully, we returned tired but happy.

Verified review · Order #31726
IF
Ivan F.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We had long wanted to show the mountains to our children, but without long walks and tiring climbs. We chose this option because of the comfortable car and short route. Four of us went: me, my wife and two children. The driver-guide turned out to be very patient, adjusted to our pace, joked a lot with the children. At the Kok-Tobe viewpoint, the children were delighted with the cable car and the views of the city from above, and my wife couldn't tear herself away from photos against the backdrop of the mountains. In the gorge we had lunch at a cafe with a view — the food was tasty, although it wasn't included in the price. By evening everyone was tired but happy. Downside: on the way back we got stuck in traffic for almost an hour and arrived later than planned. But the guide warned us in advance and suggested an alternative route, so we weren't too upset.

Verified review · Order #30882
BK
Bekzat K.
Google ·
★★★★★

We took a trip to the mountains. We visited Kok-Tobe and Medeu. The guide told many interesting things. Some roads were bad, but the vehicle was good. I'm ready to go again.

Verified review · Order #30720
SV
Sergey V.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Great tour to Shymbulak! The guide told the history of the mountains, everything is organized. Minus: had to wait 15 minutes for the cable car.

Verified review · Order #24504
EM
Elena M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Tour to Medeu with a guide. The skating rink is excellent, warm and cozy.

Verified review · Order #23209
ID
Ilya D.
Google ·
★★★★★

We took a tour to Big Almaty Lake. The guide prepared the route so we saw the maximum. The road is a bit broken, but the car managed. Impressions for a lifetime.

Verified review · Order #21836
AK
Aizhan K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Excursion to Kok-Tobe with a guide-driver. Beautiful landscapes, city panorama. Really liked it!

Verified review · Order #21079
ZD
Zhanna D.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We went to Big Almaty Lake with a guide-driver. Very beautiful views, I recommend!

Verified review · Order #19899
LV
Lyudmila V.
Our website ·
★★★★★

poezdka na Shymbulak s gidom-voditelem. Voshititel'no. Edinstvenniy minus - ochered' na kanatku.

Verified review · Order #19208
KS
Kristina Sh.
Google ·
★★★★★

Trip to Kok-Tobe and Shymbulak with a guide. He showed the city panorama and the mountains. Very eventful. Lunch was in a traditional cafe with a view of the mountains, paid separately. Overall excellent.

Verified review · Order #17900
PI
Petr I.
Google ·
★★★★★

vzyal tour na Medeo s gidom-voditelem. Ochen' krasivo i udobno. Gid proffessional.

Verified review · Order #14538
AR
Aigul R.
Google ·
★★★★★

A group of six of us got together for the weekend, we just wanted to take a break from the city and see something beautiful. An acquaintance recommended this route — and we didn't regret it. First we stopped at the green hill, went up by cable car, and from there a magnificent panorama opens up. Then we went down to the high-mountain skating rink, took a walk, and took a bunch of photos. The driver drove carefully and along the way told interesting facts about the city. The only thing: departure was delayed by about half an hour because one of us was late, but the guide took it calmly and didn't spoil the mood. Overall a great day, I recommend it to everyone.

Verified review · Order #13863
VK
Vera K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Tour to Big Almaty Lake with a driver-guide. The day flew by unnoticed. Nature is fascinating. Thank you.

Verified review · Order #12440

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the tour Almaty: Scenic Spots in Comfort

We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.

Ask a question

Bring a warm jacket in any case — it is cool at the lake at altitude and at Shymbulak even in summer, although it may be hot in the city. Choose comfortable shoes for walking, and sunglasses and sunscreen will come in handy at the viewpoints. A phone or camera will definitely not go amiss, and you can refill a water bottle along the way — there is water in the car.

The main movement here is by car, and the ascents to Kok-Tobe and Shymbulak are by cable car, tickets for which are included. You will not have to walk much: short strolls at the viewpoints, at Medeu and at Big Almaty Lake. The driver-guide drives the car himself and adjusts the pace to your group, so the pace is easy to adjust for older travellers and children; if there are health restrictions, message us on WhatsApp.

We start at 09:00, and by 16:30 we are already dropping you back in Almaty at the hotel or in the center. Before that we manage to go up to Kok-Tobe, stop at Medeu and Shymbulak, have lunch in the gorge and take a walk by Big Almaty Lake. We will confirm the exact departure time for your date on WhatsApp, since departures are daily and the time is on request.

The price includes a car with a driver-guide, tickets for the Kok-Tobe cable car and the ascent to Shymbulak, a visit to Medeu and water on the road. Only lunch at a cafe in the gorge is paid separately — from $10 per person, where Kazakh cuisine dishes are served. Souvenirs and any personal expenses are, of course, also at your own expense.

Yes, this is a private format by car, and we pick you up from your hotel or from the center of Almaty, and bring you back at the end of the day. The driver-guide travels with you along the entire route, so no strangers will join your group. Departure is possible daily, and we will agree on the specific time to suit you.

Just write to us on WhatsApp with the date and the address of your hotel in Almaty — we will reserve the car and guide for you without prepayment. On the day of the trip, the driver-guide picks you up, and you pay then via Kaspi, by card or in cash. If the trip does not work out, cancellation is free — just let us know on WhatsApp.