★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Hiking · one-day tour
Hiking tour in the mountains: your route
5 · 21 reviews
This one-day hiking tour takes you along scenic trails of the Zailiysky Alatau. The route passes through alpine meadows, waterfalls, and viewpoints with panoramas of Peak Abay. Suitable for beginners and experienced hikers.
WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration6 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $45/person
Program
Hiking tour schedule by hour
07:00
Meeting and departure from Almaty
Group meeting in the city center, boarding a minibus. Departure to the Almaty-Arasan gorge.
08:00
Start of trekking
Start from the Almaty-Arasan base. Ascent along the river trail, first rest stop at the waterfall.
09:30
Alpine meadows
Reach a plateau with diverse grasses. Photo stop with a view of Peak Abay.
11:00
Viewpoint rock
Short climb to an observation point overlooking the entire valley and glaciers.
12:30
Lunch in nature
Picnic with hot tea and sandwiches in a meadow with mountain views.
14:00
Descent and Return
Return along the same trail, foraging for wild plants (seasonal). Transfer to Almaty.
15:30
Arrival in the city
Estimated return time to Almaty. End of tour.
What's included
What's included in the hiking tour
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back (comfortable minibus)
- Services of an experienced guide-instructor
- Hot tea and snack (sandwiches, cookies)
- Group first aid kit and insurance
- Organizational fees and entry permit
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Trekking poles (available for rent – $2)
- Lunch at a cafe (optional after the tour)
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Trekking boots or sneakers with tread
- Raincoat or windbreaker
- Water bottle (1-1.5 L)
- Sunscreen and hat
- Camera or phone for photos
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 hiking tour in the mountains
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Marat B.
Our website ·
★★★★★Went with a friend, we both had wanted to go to the mountains for a long time, but kept hesitating. We chose this tour because it's a one-day trip and doesn't require any preparation. True, the departure was delayed by about twenty minutes, but the guide quickly sorted everything out. The trail along the river is beautiful, and at the waterfall we made our first stop. What I remember most is the picnic in the meadow with a view of Abai Peak — hot tea and sandwiches were very welcome. We walked back the same way, but didn't feel tired. We returned to the city on time. The mountains are amazing, I'll definitely go again.
Roman G.
Yandex ·
★★★★★An individual trek for the two of us. The views that opened up were incredible. It's a pity we didn't meet a snow leopard. I liked the climb to the viewpoint rock, from where you can see the whole valley.
Zhuldyz Ch.
Our website ·
★★★★★Our trek was very scenic. The guide showed the way well. Thanks!
Lena Sh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★I've always wanted to see the mountains up close. The tour exceeded expectations. Madina gave tips on clothing. Everything was perfect.
Askhat T.
Google ·
★★★★★Took the tour on a friend's advice, went together. The guide gave a great tour, showed a viewpoint rock with a panorama of the valley. Lunch in nature was simple but tasty. We liked everything, returned to the city on time.
Oleg D.
Our website ·
★★★★★Vse ponravilos. Gid rasskazival interesno. Peizazhi krasivie.
Arman K.
Our website ·
★★★★★The tour was super. The road was bumpy, but it was worth it for the views.
Bekzat E.
Our website ·
★★★★★Gid Aleksandr pokazal potryasayushie mesta. Myi v vostorge. Spasibo!
Erzhan A.
2GIS ·
★★★★★The hike was excellent. At the rest stop there was a picnic with hot tea and sandwiches. The mountains calm you down.
Vitaliy F.
Google ·
★★★★★I was choosing a tour for a long time. I settled on this one. The guide told about the route in detail.
Venera S.
Google ·
★★★★★Puteshestvie nachalos' s opozdaniem na 30 minut. No gid skompenziroval eto interesnymi istoriyami.
Sergey P.
Google ·
★★★★★Great route, the guide chose the perfect time. The views are mesmerizing.
Anatoliy I.
Our website ·
★★★★★Went with colleagues after a work week, wanted to unwind. We spent a long time choosing between several tours, but this one attracted us because it's suitable for beginners. At the start we waited about fifteen minutes for departure, got a bit cold, but then everything went smoothly. The ascent along the river trail was easy, and in the alpine meadows it just took our breath away. The guide showed us a viewpoint rock from which the whole valley opens up. Lunch in nature with hot tea is a separate pleasure. I recommend it to everyone, especially if you want a change of scenery.
Igor V.
Our website ·
★★★★★Ochen ponravilsya trek. Andrey vzyal nas v udalennoe mesto. Nikogo krome nas.
Katerina L.
Our website ·
★★★★★Tihiy trek vdali ot lyudey. Gid organizoval vse. Chistiy vozduh.
Alisher N.
Our website ·
★★★★★Went with my husband, I'm not very athletic, but the guide encouraged the group. The trail is beautiful, especially at the waterfall. I liked the picnic in the meadow with a view of Abai Peak. We got a bit tired on the ascent, but managed.
Gulnara S.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I wanted a break from the city bustle, so I chose this hiking tour. I went alone, but quickly found company in the group. The guide led us along beautiful trails, told us about glaciers and Abai Peak. I especially liked the exit to the plateau with diverse herbs — there we had a photo stop. Lunch in the meadow with a view of the mountains was very atmospheric. I got a bit tired on the ascent, but it was worth it. I recommend it to anyone who wants to see the mountains up close.
Asel M.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Men korgim kelgen jer. Ayaq astynda bulaktar. Gid taza kazaksha soiledi.
Aigul K.
Google ·
★★★★★We went trekking in the Alatau. The guide suggested a good route. The views are incredible. I especially liked the picnic in the clearing with a view of Abai Peak.
Dana K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went on vacation with our family, the kids wanted to go to the mountains. We chose this tour because it's a one-day trip and simple. The guide spoke Kazakh well, it was clear for the children. The meadows and waterfalls at the top of the mountain are very beautiful. The ascent to the peak wasn't difficult. We had lunch in nature and drank hot tea. Our holiday was wonderful, we relaxed in the fresh air. Everyone liked it, we'll go again.
Gaukhar T.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Vzyali individualniy trek. Gid podskazal luchshiy marshrut. Gory potryasayushie.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the hiking 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 is a climb along a trail beside the river, a rise onto the plateau, a short push to the viewpoint rock, and a descent back down the same trail. The pace is easy, with stops for photos and rest breaks, so the route is manageable both for beginners and for those who haven’t been in the mountains for a long time. If you’re unsure about your fitness, message us on WhatsApp and we’ll advise you on how best to pace yourself.
We meet in the city centre at 07:00 and set off from there to the Almarasan Gorge. We expect to be back in Almaty by around 15:30, but the exact time depends on the group’s pace and the weather. We’ll confirm the meeting point for your date on WhatsApp.
You’ll need trainers or boots with good tread, a windproof jacket or raincoat, a hat and sunscreen — mountain weather changes quickly. Bring water and a phone or camera to capture the panorama at Abai Peak. Everything else — tea and a snack — is already included in the tour.
The price already includes transport from Almaty and back, a guide-instructor, hot tea with sandwiches and biscuits, a first-aid kit with insurance, and a permit for the visit. You’ll only need extra money for personal little things — souvenirs, drinks, lunch at a café if you want, and trekking pole rental if you decide to take them. There are no hidden extra charges on the spot.
Yes, this hike is an individual format: the guide leads only you and your companions, with no other travellers joining. Departures run daily, and we choose the start time on request, so the trip can be adjusted to a day that suits you. Message us on WhatsApp with how many of you there will be and the date you’re planning.
To book, just message us on WhatsApp and give the date — no prepayment is needed. Payment is on the day of the trip: Kaspi, card or cash. If your plans change, cancellation is free — just message us on WhatsApp and we’ll cancel the booking.
