★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Hiking · Waterfall
Hiking to Big Shymbulak Waterfall
4.9 · 21 reviews
A one-day hike to the most voluminous waterfall in the Shymbulak gorge. The route passes through alpine meadows and coniferous forest, with the final point being a 30-meter cascade bursting directly from the rock. Ideal for those who want to experience real mountain nature in a day without long acclimatization.
WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration6 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $152/person
Program
Hourly program of hiking to Big Shymbulak Waterfall
08:00
Departure from Almaty
Meeting at Astana Square (pick-up from your hotel possible). Transfer to the Shymbulak gorge (about 30 minutes).
09:00
Start of the trek
Start from the lower cable car station. The first 2 km is a gentle climb on a dirt road among pines.
10:30
Meadow clearing
Rest stop at a spacious clearing with a view of Sovets Peak. Photos and short break.
11:30
Big Shymbulak Waterfall
The final section is a steep descent to the foot of the waterfall. You will see a powerful stream crashing against the boulders. Time for photos and a snack.
13:00
Lunch in nature
Picnic with hot tea and sandwiches at a equipped area near the waterfall (dry rations included).
14:30
Return
Return along the same route. The descent takes less time — about 1.5 hours.
16:00
Arrival in Almaty
Transfer to the meeting point. Estimated time — 16:00-16:30.
What's included
What is included in the cost of hiking to Big Shymbulak Waterfall
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from/to Almaty in a comfortable car
- Services of a professional guide
- Organizational fees and permits to visit the gorge
- Bottled water (1 liter per person)
- Dry rations (sandwiches, cookies, tea)
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Accident insurance (we recommend arranging it yourself)
- Lunch in a cafe (optional, can replace picnic with lunch in a mountain cafe for an extra fee)
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Trekking boots or sneakers with deep tread
- Windproof jacket (wind intensifies in the mountains)
- Sunscreen and hat
- Backpack 20-30 l for personal items
- Camera or smartphone with spare battery
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 hiking to Big Shymbulak Waterfall
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Aigul S.
Google ·
★★★★★Great! The beautiful mountain views, the sound of water—everything was wonderful. Thanks to Madina.
Marat S.
Google ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to test myself in the mountains, but without multi-day trips. I took this tour to see the waterfall in one day. The flow is powerful, it's worth it. I recommend it to everyone who loves active recreation and mountains.
Elena V.
Yandex ·
★★★★★I had long dreamed of seeing a real mountain waterfall, and finally I made up my mind. I went with a friend, neither of us is very sporty, but the route turned out to be manageable. At first we walked along a dirt road among pine trees — cool, easy to breathe. Then we came out onto a spacious meadow, from there there was a view of snow-capped peaks. We made a stop in the clearing, the guide treated us to tea. A steep descent leads to the waterfall, you have to be careful. The stream is powerful, the water bursts out of the rock and breaks against the stones. We stood fascinated, didn't even immediately remember about photos. The only thing — the departure was delayed by ten minutes, but that's minor. The way back took less time. Lots of impressions, I will remember for a long time.
Natasha S.
Google ·
★★★★★My wife and I had long wanted to get out to the mountains, but without difficult acclimatization. We took this tour because it's a one-day trip and not far from the city. We got lucky — the group was small, only five people. The guide led it in an interesting way, telling us about plants and rocks. We walked through a pine forest, then came out into a clearing with a view of Sovetov Peak — beautiful, we took a couple of photos. The waterfall itself roars so loudly that we had to raise our voices. We stood at the base, with spray flying. We walked back faster than we had come. Overall a great day, I recommend it to those who love nature and don't want long ascents.
Sergey V.
Our website ·
★★★★★Great active holiday. The road to the waterfall is scenic, but you need to be in good shape. The instructor explained everything in detail.
Bekzat R.
Our website ·
★★★★★I really liked the hiking! The trail goes through a coniferous forest, and the view of the waterfall opens unexpectedly. In October, it's better to take a warm jacket.
Alexander P.
Our website ·
★★★★★Pohod k Shimbulaku byl klassnym! Gornye vidy i vodopad prosto potryas. Ilyasa blagodaryu za organizatsiyu.
Aliya K.
Our website ·
★★★★★The guide led us along the best trails. The ascent to the waterfall was steep, but fun! I recommend it.
Aizhan K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Hiking to Big Shymbulak is powerful! We walked through a pine forest, the ascent is gentle but you feel it. In October it's cool, but the views of Sovetov Peak are impressive.
Nurlan A.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went on vacation with the kids, we had been planning a trip to the mountains for a long time. We chose this tour because it's a one-day trip. The route went through a pine forest, the air is clean and quiet. Halfway we came out into a clearing and rested. The guide told us about the mountains, the kids found it interesting. The waterfall roars very loudly, when you stand next to it your whole body vibrates. The cold spray reached us too. We ate and headed back. The organization was good, we arrived on time. I recommend it to nature lovers.
Amir B.
Our website ·
★★★★★Sovershili trekking k vodopadu. Vse ochen ponravilos, osobenno vid na pik Sovetov
Asem K.
Google ·
★★★★★The guide suggested taking spare socks — came in handy at the rest stop. The waterfall is awesome!
Zulfiya Zh.
Google ·
★★★★★The organization was top-notch. Thanks to Madina. The hike was not difficult but very scenic. The waterfall roars so loud it takes your breath away.
Daniyar M.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Great trekking! The waterfall is so loud you have to shout to talk. The instructor did a great job explaining everything.
Dina A.
Google ·
★★★★★A wonderful hike! We set off early in the morning to avoid the queue. Everything went smoothly. Thanks to the guide for great company
Viktor L.
Yandex ·
★★★★★We went with work colleagues, wanted to unwind after the work week. We chose this route because it's short and has a waterfall at the end. The views are truly postcard-like: pine trees, meadows, and in the distance the Sovetov Peak. The guide led confidently, showed the trails. The waterfall itself didn't disappoint: a powerful stream, splashes, noise. We took a bunch of photos. We had a snack at the stop, the guide poured tea. We descended faster on the way back. The impressions are excellent. If you go, take a windbreaker — it's cool by the water.
Gulnara T.
Our website ·
★★★★★The guide organized everything perfectly. The route is beautiful, although the road is a bit bumpy
Galina Ch.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had long dreamed of seeing a powerful waterfall in the mountains. I went with a friend, neither of us is very sporty, but the route turned out to be manageable. The organization was good, only the departure was a bit delayed. The waterfall roars so loudly that we had to raise our voices, and the spray flew right at us.
Botagoz K.
Google ·
★★★★★The nature is very beautiful! The sound of the waterfall is pleasant to the ears. Thank you, Aleksandr.
Karlygash M.
Google ·
★★★★★The hike to the Bolshoy Shymbulak waterfall left vivid impressions. The ascent through the alpine meadows was exciting. The guide is a professional, but there wasn't enough time for photos at the waterfall.
Ivan D.
Yandex ·
★★★★★I spent a long time choosing a tour and didn't regret it. The nature is beautiful, and the waterfall is powerful. The guide told everything great
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about hiking to Bolshoy Shymbulak Waterfall
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 questionYes, we run this hike to the waterfall in a private format, so the group will be only yours. Departure from Almaty is daily, and we choose the start time on request to suit you. Write to us on WhatsApp with the date you plan to hike and how many of you there will be, and we will confirm.
The whole day takes about 6 hours, and almost all of that time you are on your feet — transport only takes you to the gorge and back. First there is a gentle ascent along a dirt road among the pines, then a rest stop on a meadow clearing, and the most difficult section is a short steep descent right to the foot of the waterfall. You return the same way, and the descent is usually easier.
It's a one-day route, but you are on your feet almost the whole time, and the final stretch to the waterfall is a steep descent that you climb back up on the way out. Children and older people can manage it if they can walk confidently on a mountain trail for several hours; we take the steep section slowly, and the guide will show you how to do it safely. If anyone has knee or heart problems, mention it on WhatsApp when booking — we'll give you an honest assessment of whether it's worth going.
Yes, according to the program we start at 08:00 from Astana Square, and we can pick you up directly from your hotel. We return to the city at approximately 16:00–16:30. The road to the gorge takes about half an hour, then the whole time is the walking part with rest stops and lunch at the waterfall. The exact return time depends on your group's pace and the weather.
Take footwear with deep tread — ordinary sneakers slip on the stones by the waterfall. In the mountains the wind is stronger than in the city, so a windproof jacket, a hat and sunscreen will be useful. In a 20–30 litre backpack put personal items and a spare phone battery — we provide water and a dry ration on site.
Booking is simply a message to us on WhatsApp with the date and number of people, no prepayment is needed. You pay $152 per person already on the day of the trip — by card, via Kaspi or in cash. If plans change, cancellation is free, just let us know in advance.
