★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Hiking Tour · Medeu Gorge
Tour to Elephant Mountain in Medeu Gorge
5 · 22 reviews
Hiking trip to Elephant Rock in Medeu Gorge: ascent to the observation deck, panoramas of Almaty and mountains, outdoor relaxation. The route is suitable for beginners, lasts 4 hours.
WhenWed, Fri, Sat — departure 09:00
Duration4 hrs
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $39/person
Program
Tour program to Elephant Mountain by the hour
09:00
Meeting and departure from Almaty
Group meeting in the city center, transfer to the gorge.
09:40
Route start
Arrival at the foot, briefing and start of trekking.
10:30
Rest stop at the spring
Short rest, water refill, photos against the rocks.
11:15
Summit — Elephant Mountain
Exit to the observation deck, panorama of the city and Zailiysky Alatau.
12:00
Lunch in nature
Picnic with views of the gorge (dry rations or hot tea).
13:00
Descent and Return
Descent along the same route, gathering on the bus.
14:00
Arrival in Almaty
End of the tour at the starting point.
What's included
What is included in the tour to Elephant Mountain
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back
- Guide services
- Group first aid kit
- Bottled water (0.5 L)
- Organizational fees
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra food)
- Accident insurance
- Rental of trekking poles (on request)
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable trekking shoes
- Windbreaker or jacket (depending on weather)
- Water supply 1-1.5 L
- Snack (sandwiches, fruit)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
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.
★5
★4.52Alexander Пашкин
Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу
★4.74Andrey Шевелёв
Driver-guide
★4.27Анжелика Чвыкова
Гид-фотограф
★4.27Ильяс Дарбеков
Гид-переводчик
★4.55Мадина Данина
Организатор туров
★4.49Сергей Бабичев
Personal guide-водитель
Reviews
Reviews of the tour to Elephant Mountain
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Dmitry F.
Our website ·
★★★★★Tur otlichnyj, gora neobychnaya. Chut' zaderzhali vyezd, no ne kritichno. Aleksandr molodec.
Ruslan Sh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★My colleagues and I had long wanted to get out of the office into nature, and when we saw photos of Slonikha, we immediately decided to go. The mountain is truly unusual, it looks like a huge elephant. Ilyas told us about the plants growing here along the way, it was interesting. The ascent turned out to be not very difficult, even those who rarely go to the mountains managed. At the rest stop by the spring we collected water and took beautiful photos. From the top there is a stunning view of the city and the mountains. Lunch in nature with tea was very welcome. Everyone liked it, we returned in a good mood.
Daniyar A.
Our website ·
★★★★★My wife and I decided to take the kids out into nature, chose an easier route. Everyone liked it, our daughter laughed all the way. The mountain looks like an elephant, the kids are thrilled, kept pointing at it. The guide helped with the backpacks and encouraged us on the descent.
Nurlan B.
Our website ·
★★★★★We planned to spend a day off in nature with our family. We liked the trip to Slonikha mountain, the nature is very beautiful. The ascent was not difficult, even the children could manage. The guide told us about the plants along the way. At the top a wonderful view opened up, the photos turned out great. For lunch we ate in nature and drank hot tea. We were a little delayed, but it didn't affect the mood. Thanks to Madina, we liked everything.
Andrey L.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Friends persuaded me to go because I had never been to the Medeu gorge. Slonikha looked unusual in the photos, and in real life it is truly huge. The ascent took about an hour, I didn't get tired, we walked at a calm pace. Along the way we were shown a spring where you can collect water. From the top there is a cool panorama of Almaty and the mountains. After the descent there was lunch in nature, we ate dry rations and drank tea. The weather was excellent, lots of impressions. I recommend this route to everyone for a day off.
Svetlana V.
Yandex ·
★★★★★My friends and I had been planning since spring, but we only went in October. In autumn the gorge is especially beautiful: yellow leaves, fresh air. The guide told legends about these places along the way, we listened with bated breath. The ascent took about an hour, we walked slowly, enjoying the views. At the top we took many photos, the panorama of the city and mountains is simply mesmerizing. After the descent we had a picnic with hot tea, it was very heartwarming. Thanks to the guide for the interesting story and care. I will definitely recommend this route to friends.
Kuanysh T.
Our website ·
★★★★★Mount Slonikha is cool, but the road is a bit bumpy. The guide livened up the group. Overall, it was good.
Anastasia I.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Davno hoteli s'ezdit' na Slonihu. Vse ponravilos', organizaciya chetkaya. Anzheliku otdel'no blagodaryu za termin.
Viktor N.
Our website ·
★★★★★Interesting route, the mountain looks like a real elephant. Anzhelika suggested a great angle for photos.
Bakhyt T.
Our website ·
★★★★★Great tour, the mountain is unusual. The guide suggested where to stand for a photo. I recommend it to everyone.
Gulmira A.
Our website ·
★★★★★Vosxozhdenie na Slonihu — eto chto-to! Neozhidanno krasivye vidy. Gid rasskazyval interesno. Rekomenduyu!
Aigul K.
Our website ·
★★★★★Slonikha mountain is awesome! The ascent is easy, the views are magnificent. The guide helped with the route, thanks! We went with friends spontaneously, but didn't regret it.
Lyazzat Zh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We gathered as a group for the weekend, had long been looking for something easy that would have both nature and a view. The organization was top-notch, the guide Andrey was caring and didn't rush anyone. The mountain itself is impressive, especially when you stand at the foot and realize how huge it is. I recommend it!
Maira N.
Google ·
★★★★★The mountain is wonderful! I liked Mount Slonikha. There was a bit of dust, but it went well. The guide helped.
Pavel Z.
Our website ·
★★★★★Went with friends, everyone liked it. The mountain is cool, the climb is short. The guide suggested where to rest.
Ermek K.
Our website ·
★★★★★I went to Slonikha for the first time, had never climbed such a place before. Very impressive, the view of the city and mountains from the top is wonderful. The guide spoke well, talked about plants along the way. I'll go again next time, told my friends too.
Olga P.
Our website ·
★★★★★We had long wanted to spend a day off actively with the family, and the choice fell on this tour. The ascent to Slonikha left a sea of emotions! The trekking turned out to be easy, so even the children managed. The briefing was quick, and we set off. On the way we stopped at a spring and replenished our water supplies. At the top we were greeted by a stunning panorama of the city and snowy mountains. The photos turned out great! After the descent we organized a picnic with hot tea. We are very happy that we chose this particular route.
Ivan G.
Our website ·
★★★★★It was a bit bumpy on the bus, but that's minor. Mount Slonikha is worth it. The guide suggested the best route.
Natalya R.
Our website ·
★★★★★We had long wanted to go to Slonikha, kept putting it off, and finally made it with my sister. The guide explained everything in detail along the way and told us where to stand for the best shot. At the top, there's a view of the city and mountains that just takes your breath away. The photos turned out like cover shots, we showed our friends — they don't believe it's us.
Asel M.
Google ·
★★★★★Climbing the mountain was very interesting. Mount Slonikha is wonderful. The guide helped, thank you!
Timur S.
Google ·
★★★★★We decided to celebrate a birthday in the mountains. The elephant was unusual, the climb wasn't long. Only a slight delay in departure, but overall it was great.
Ilyas R.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went with a colleague after work — wanted to unwind in nature. We left on time, the guide Sergey is super, told us many interesting things along the way. Slonikha impressed with its size, I imagined it smaller. The photos turned out great, the panorama of the city and mountains is magnificent.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Elephant Mountain tour
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 questionThe walking part takes up most of the four-hour tour: the ascent to the viewpoint, a rest stop at the spring, and the descent back along the same path. The route is described as suitable for beginners, so no special training is needed. If you have never been to the mountains before, just keep your own pace — the group is small.
Yes, according to the programme the tour ends at 14:00 at the starting point in Almaty, and departure from the city is at 09:00. That means about four hours pass from meeting to return, and you are free after lunch. We will confirm the meeting point in the centre for your Saturday on WhatsApp.
You need comfortable trekking shoes and a windbreaker or jacket suitable for the weather — there are exposed sections along the route. Bring about 1–1.5 l of water, a snack such as sandwiches or fruit, sunglasses and sunscreen. We'll hand out a 0.5 l bottle of water, but it won't replace your own supply.
It is an ascent and a descent back along the same path within four hours, with no overnight stays and no off-road vehicles — the effort is moderate, and the route is described as suitable for beginners. But make the decision based on how your family members feel: if a person is ready for several hours of walking, they can go at an easy pace in the mini-group. We will clarify specific age restrictions for your date on WhatsApp.
This amount includes transport from Almaty to the gorge and back, the work of a guide, a group first-aid kit, bottled water and organisational fees. On site you pay extra only for personal expenses — souvenirs or food beyond the programme, insurance and, if you wish, trekking pole rental. Everything else along the route is already covered.
We arrange the booking via a WhatsApp message for your chosen date — departure days are Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, starting at 09:00. No prepayment is needed; you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash. If your plans change, cancelling the booking is free.
