★4.9Aidos Serikov
Senior guide, mountain routes
City tour · with ascent
Almaty overview tour with Medeu and Kok-Tobe
4.9 · 24 reviews
In five hours, you'll see Almaty's main symbols: the famous high-altitude Medeu skating rink, the city panorama from Kok-Tobe, and a stroll through the green streets of the southern capital. The tour is suitable for a first acquaintance with the city and for those who want to see Almaty from above.
WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration5 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $33/person
Program
Almaty overview tour with Medeu and Kok-Tobe hour-by-hour program
09:00
Departure from central Almaty
Meeting at Abay Square or at your hotel in the center. Introduction to the guide and boarding a comfortable minibus.
09:30
Park named after 28 Panfilov Guardsmen
Visit to Ascension Cathedral and the Memorial of Glory. Walk through the park, photos of wooden architecture.
10:30
Ascent to Medeu
Transfer to the Medeu tract (1700 m above sea level). Visit the high-altitude skating rink and dam, access to the observation deck.
11:30
Kok-Tobe (Green Hill)
Cable car ride to Kok-Tobe (1100 m). Panoramic view of Almaty and the Zailiysky Alatau, free time for photos and a snack.
12:30
Panfilov Street and Republic Square
Drive along central streets: Nazarbayev Avenue, Republic Square with the Independence Monument. Brief photo stop.
13:00
Return to the center
Tour ends at your hotel or a convenient location in central Almaty.
What's included
What's included in the Almaty overview tour with Medeu and Kok-Tobe
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer by comfortable transport (minibus or car)
- Services of a professional guide (Russian language)
- Cable car ride to Kok-Tobe
- Entrance tickets to Medeu territory
- Bottled water in the car
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Lunch (snack at Kok-Tobe available at own expense)
- Accident insurance
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing (windy at Medeu)
- Camera or smartphone for panoramas
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (in sunny weather)
- Water bottle (can be refilled)
- Raincoat/umbrella (in off-season)
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.
★4.9
★5Dinara Kassymova
Guide-lecturer in Almaty
★4.8Marat Zhunussov
Trekking instructor
★4.9Oleg Kim
Driver-guide, jeep tours
★4.8Zhanna Abenova
Tour manager
★4.9Timur Beketov
Multi-day tour guide
★5Aliya Nurlan
Group coordinator
★4.8Sergey Volkov
Instructor, ski tours
Reviews
Reviews of Almaty overview tour with Medeu and Kok-Tobe
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Aigul K.
Our website ·
★★★★★Loved it very much, the guide told us a lot. Too bad we drove back in the dark, but that's a minor thing.
Elena V.
Our website ·
★★★★★I chose this tour because I've wanted to see the skating rink for a long time. I really liked it, the view from the mountain is impressive. The only downside was the long registration process.
Olga P.
Our website ·
★★★★★It took a long time to gather the group, but in the end we liked everything. Medeu and Kok-Tobe are super. We went with a friend, she had long wanted to see the rink with her own eyes. We were lucky with the weather, the views from the height were excellent.
Sveta L.
Yandex ·
★★★★★We went as a family, the kids wanted to see the mountains. The tour is good, but I would have liked more time at Medeu. Otherwise they brought us, showed us, and immediately took us away. But everything else is super: the cable car, the views, and the guide's story. The kids are delighted with the squirrels at Kok-Tobe. Overall I recommend it, but if you like to linger in places, keep this in mind.
Bakhyt K.
Our website ·
★★★★★Very satisfied with the tour. Guide Dinara gave an interesting excursion, we learned a lot about the city's history. Recommend!
Anvar Kh.
Google ·
★★★★★My wife and I came for the weekend, we had long wanted to see Almaty from above. We walked in the park, looked at the cathedral, then went up to Medeu — the skating rink made an impression, but what I remember most is Kok-Tobe. The view at sunset is something incredible! The guide told us everything, we didn't rush, managed to take a bunch of photos. Just dress warmer, the wind is strong there, especially at the top. Overall I recommend it, especially if it's your first time in Almaty.
Aizhan B.
Our website ·
★★★★★Good excursion, but would like more time at Medeu. Otherwise everything is great, thanks to Dinara for the organization
Sergey V.
Our website ·
★★★★★A good overview tour for half a day. The guide told very interesting stories about the city. The downside — a bit bumpy in the minibus.
Talgat N.
Google ·
★★★★★Booked a tour for my parents, they loved everything. Thanks to the organizers for considering their age and not rushing them.
Zhanna N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★My daughter dreamed of seeing Medeu, so we chose this tour. Everything was great, especially the cable car ride up.
Gulnara I.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to look at the city from above. Kok-Tobe impressed, but we stood in line for the cable car for about 20 minutes. We went with my sister, she liked it too. The guide told about the mountains and nature, it was pleasant to listen.
Marat Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★I took the tour for a date, everything went great. The girl is delighted with Kok-Tobe. Thanks to the guide for the romantic atmosphere!
Oleg D.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Haven't been to Almaty for a long time, decided to refresh my impressions. The tour met expectations, everything was clear. Dinara led the group, well done
Aliya R.
Google ·
★★★★★Very informative excursion. Thanks to the guide for patience and interesting facts. I recommend it to everyone. I took my mom, she loves history, so she especially enjoyed it. We walked in the park, listened about the cathedral.
Viktoriya R.
Google ·
★★★★★We took this excursion with colleagues after a conference to see at least a bit of the city. The guide Dinara is very knowledgeable, answered all questions, even about architecture and history. We managed to walk in the park, ride the cable car, and drive through the center. There was enough time for everything, no one got tired. I liked that there was no rush or crowd. I recommend it to everyone if you want to understand Almaty in a short time.
Laura K.
Our website ·
★★★★★The excursion is good, but it was stuffy in the bus. The air conditioner didn't work. Otherwise the views are great, guide Dinara well done
Asem S.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had long dreamed of riding this cable car, so I went. The ascent to Kok-Tobe is a separate pleasure, the city is like on a palm. We were also taken to Medeu, but everything there was kind of quick, I wanted to linger longer at the rink. The guide told interesting things about sports and nature. Otherwise, I liked everything, the organization is clear. It's a pity there was little time at the rink.
Maksat B.
Google ·
★★★★★Took the tour for the family, the kids are delighted. Especially liked feeding the squirrels at Kok-Tobe. Guide Dinara is very friendly
Nurlan K.
Our website ·
★★★★★Kok-Tobe is wonderful, the city panorama is amazing. Thanks to the guide Dinara, she spoke well. We went with my grandmother, she had long wanted to see Almaty. The ascent by cable car left a special impression.
Ruslan P.
Google ·
★★★★★Overall okay, but breakfast wasn't included, we had to buy it ourselves. Medeu is beautiful, I recommend it.
Daniyar M.
Our website ·
★★★★★The excursion was great, the views are stunning. They just picked us up 10 minutes late, but that's okay.
Sergey T.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Vzyali tur chtoby pokazat' gorod druz'yam. Medeu i Kok-Tobe - must see v Almaty. Vse proshlo otlichno
Asel Sh.
Our website ·
★★★★★I really enjoyed the tour. I liked that we were taken on a comfortable bus. The guide is a professional. Thank you!
Natalya P.
Google ·
★★★★★We went with children, everyone liked it. We fed the squirrels, looked at the city. The only thing is that the road up the mountain made us a little motion sick. We went as a big family, the children are delighted with the cable car. Medeu is beautiful, but we wanted to stay longer.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Almaty overview tour with Medeu and Kok-Tobe
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 route takes five hours, but there are only a few walking sections: a stroll through the park, the viewpoints and short photo stops. You travel between locations by transport, and you go up to Kok-Tobe by cable car. No special preparation is needed — this pace is comfortable for both children and older people, as long as short walks are fine for them.
It really is windy at Medeu, and at Kok-Tobe you go out onto a panoramic viewing area, so dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. A camera or smartphone for panoramas will come in handy, and on a sunny day, sunglasses and sunscreen. In the shoulder season, bring a raincoat or umbrella, and you can fill your own bottle with water.
The start is at 09:00, and we'll pick you up in the city centre: either at an agreed place or directly from your hotel if it's in the centre. The guide will meet you and seat you in a comfortable vehicle. We'll confirm the exact point and time for your date on WhatsApp.
Yes, this tour is private, so the vehicle will have only your four people and the guide. We'll choose transport to suit the size of your group — a car or a minibus. Departure is possible daily, and we'll agree the start time on request.
$33 per person — this amount already includes transport, the guide's services, the cable car ride, entry to Medeu and water in the vehicle. You only pay separately for personal expenses: souvenirs, extra drinks and lunch, which you can have at Kok-Tobe. Accident insurance is not included either.
Message us on WhatsApp, give the date and the number of people — that's enough to reserve a vehicle and guide for you, no prepayment is required. You'll pay on the day of the trip: via Kaspi, by card or in cash. If your plans change, cancellation is free — just let us know on WhatsApp.
