★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Hike · One-day
Hike to Tuyuksu Glacier and Dolphin Grotto
4.9 · 21 reviews
A one-day hike to Tuyuksu Glacier and the unique Dolphin Grotto in Medeu Gorge. You'll walk scenic trails, see a glacial lake, and descend into an ice cave. Moderate difficulty, suitable for prepared hikers.
WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration10 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $45/person
Program
Hike to Tuyuksu Glacier hourly program
06:30
Meeting in Almaty
Group meeting in the city center, transfer to Medeu Gorge (about 30 minutes).
07:00
Start of trekking
Start from Medeu Dam, ascent along the trail beside the Malaya Almatinka River.
09:00
Break at the waterfall
Stop at a scenic waterfall, rest and photos.
11:00
Tuyuksu Glacier
Arrival at the glacier, viewing the icefall and glacial lake.
12:30
Lunch on the route
Picnic with a view of the glacier (packed lunch, hot tea).
14:00
Dolphin Grotto
Descent to the grotto, entry into the ice cave (helmets and flashlights provided).
16:00
Return to Almaty
Descent along the same route, transfer to the city, estimated arrival at 5:00 PM.
What's included
What's included in the hike to Tuyuksu Glacier
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back
- Services of a professional guide-instructor
- Group equipment (helmets, flashlights)
- Lunch (packed lunch, tea/coffee)
- Environmental fees (park entry)
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Accident insurance (recommended to purchase)
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Trekking boots or sneakers with deep tread
- Warm jacket and windproof jacket (cold on the glacier)
- Backpack 20-30 L, water (at least 1.5 L)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Camera or phone 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 the hike to Tuyuksu Glacier and Dolphin Grotto
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Elena K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★The Dolphin is amazing, but the road is bumpy. Organization is fine.
Maksim R.
Google ·
★★★★★I wanted extreme adventure and got it. Tuyuksu is not for the faint-hearted. The Dolphin was beautiful. Lunch was slightly delayed.
Sergey B.
Google ·
★★★★★I chose this tour because of the glacier. No regrets. Tuyuksu is powerful. The road is bumpy, but we got there quickly. Went with a colleague, both of us love mountains. The trail along the river is scenic, though slippery in places. At the waterfall we made a stop, rested. The glacier and lake impressed with their scale. In the Dolphin grotto they gave us helmets and flashlights, inside it's very atmospheric. Lunch on the route was simple but tasty. The return went smoothly, the guide is great.
Timur B.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went to the glacier. Lots of impressions. Thanks to Aleksandr for the guidance. My friends and I had long wanted to see a real glacier, and finally decided. The trail along the river is beautiful, but steep in places. At the waterfall we made a stop, rested, took photos. At the glacier it's simply breathtaking! Lunch in nature with a view of the icefall was very welcome. In the Dolphin grotto they gave us helmets and flashlights, inside the ice walls shimmer. We walked back tired but satisfied.
Marat S.
Our website ·
★★★★★Hiking to Tuyuksu is cool. The glacier is really big. The guide suggested a good route.
Ruslan K.
Google ·
★★★★★I chose this tour because of the reviews. They weren't lying. Tuyuksu and Dolphin are awesome. Downside—we had to wait for transport.
Aliya M.
Our website ·
★★★★★Tuyuksu i Del'fin — vpechatleniya na vsyu zhizn'. Gid provel ekskursiyu super.
Anara Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had long dreamed of Tuyuksu. Anzhelika explained everything, the hike went great.
Denis M.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Wanted to see the Dolphin Grotto, not disappointed. Beautiful ice. The road is bumpy, but it's worth it. Went with my brother, both love mountains. The glacier and lake amazed with their scale, inside the cave is atmospheric, they gave us helmets and flashlights.
Yerzhan K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★I chose this tour because I wanted to see the Tuyuksu glacier. It was amazing!
Ivan G.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Hike to the glacier and grotto. Everything is super. The Dolphin really looks like a dolphin. We went with family, the kids are delighted. The ascent along the trail wasn't easy at first, but the guide encouraged us. The glacial lake is cold but beautiful. In the cave there are icy vaults, like in a fairy tale. Lunch was hearty, with hot tea. We were a bit late returning, but it didn't spoil the impression.
Bakhtiyar U.
Our website ·
★★★★★The hike was lit. Sergey led the group—he's a pro. I'll remember Tuyuksu and Dolphin for a long time.
Sveta D.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I wanted beautiful photos. The Dolphin is something else. Ilyas suggested angles. Went with a friend, both of us love nature. I photographed the glacier and lake non-stop. Lunch in nature added coziness.
Alexey P.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went to Tuyuksu with a guide. Beautiful, but tough. The glacier is impressive. My wife and I went together, wanted to test ourselves. The route is not for beginners, the ascent is long, but the views are worth it. At the waterfall we took a break, gained strength. The icefall and the lake are something incredible. In the Dolphin grotto it's interesting, but cold, good thing they gave us flashlights. We descended back tired, but with lots of emotions.
Galina Ch.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Tuyuksu conquered. The route is difficult, but beautiful. The guide encouraged on the ascent.
Dinara S.
Google ·
★★★★★Tuyuksu and Dolphin — an excellent tour. Everything is organized. Thanks to Andrey for the support. Came with my brother, wanted to see the glacier. The trail is beautiful, but you need to be prepared. In the Dolphin grotto they gave us helmets and flashlights, very unusual.
Arman T.
Google ·
★★★★★Serious route. Tuyuksu requires preparation. But the views are insane. Aleksandr was the guide.
Anton P.
Our website ·
★★★★★Dolphin is the highlight of the tour. Beautiful grotto. The guide told legends.
Yulia F.
Our website ·
★★★★★Chose the tour because of the glacier. Tuyuksu impresses with its size. The road is bumpy, but it was worth it. Went with a friend, both love nature. Rested at the waterfall, filmed the icefall and lake non-stop.
Ksenia L.
Google ·
★★★★★Dolphin Grotto looks just like the real thing. The glacier is huge. The organization was spot on.
Viktor N.
Google ·
★★★★★Top-notch organization. Tuyuksu and Dolphin are top. The departure was slightly delayed, but not critical.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the hike to Tuyuksu Glacier and Dolphin Grotto
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 questionAt the glacier and inside the ice cave it is noticeably colder than in the city, so without a warm jacket and a windproof jacket it is uncomfortable there. Take trekking shoes with a grippy tread so you can walk confidently on the rocky trail. In a 20–30 litre backpack put water, sunscreen and sunglasses, a hat, and a phone or camera with a spare battery.
The route is of moderate difficulty, designed for prepared tourists: almost the whole day you are on your feet — the ascent along the Malaya Almatinka, the approach to the glacier and the descent to the grotto. The guide will tell you the exact distance and pure walking time before departure; plan for a full day in the mountains. If you doubt your abilities, write to WhatsApp — we will advise whether this pace suits you.
The format is individual, and we decide for each participant separately: the day is long, with an ascent and descent along a mountain trail, so real physical fitness matters. For children and elderly people the load may be serious. Write to WhatsApp who exactly is planning to go on the hike — we will honestly say whether this person should be taken to Tuyuksu.
Meeting in Almaty at 06:30, we drive to the Medeu gorge for about half an hour, and the trekking starts at about 07:00 from the dam. We arrive back in the city at approximately 17:00, but the time may shift due to the group's pace and the weather. We will confirm the exact meeting place in central Almaty on WhatsApp the day before the trip.
Yes, departures are daily, and we select the time on request — just write the convenient day on WhatsApp, and we will agree on a start specifically for you. The format is individual, so in the vehicle and on the trail there will be only your group with a guide-instructor. Say in the message how many of you there are and what date you are aiming for — we will confirm whether everything is available.
$45 per person, no prepayment is needed: booking is simply a message on WhatsApp with the date, you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash. Cancellation of the booking is free, without penalties. If your plans have changed, just write to us — we will calmly reschedule or cancel.
