Mountain tour · One-day

Tour to Ayusai Gorge, Almarasan Gorge & Falcon Park

5 · 24 reviews

In one day, you'll see two picturesque gorges—Ayusai and Almarasan, breathe mountain air, and visit a falcon park. The route is easy, suitable for any fitness level, and the views of the Zailiysky Alatau will be unforgettable.

WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration8 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $44/person

Program

Hourly tour program to Ayusai and Almarasan gorges

08:00

Departure from Almaty

Group gathering in the city center, boarding a comfortable minibus. Departing towards the gorges.

09:00

Arrival at Ayusai Gorge

Start a walking trail along the mountain river. Pine forest, fresh air, and panoramic peaks.

10:30

Ayusai viewpoint

Reach an open area with valley views. Photo stop, rest.

12:00

Transfer to Almarasan Gorge

Short transfer (about 20 minutes) to the next route point.

12:30

Walk through Almarasan

Route to the waterfall and mineral springs. You can taste water from the spring.

14:00

Lunch

Picnic in nature with hot tea and sandwiches (included). Or lunch at a cafe (optional).

15:00

Falcon Park

Visit to the falconry: bird of prey show, opportunity to hold a falcon on your hand.

16:30

Return to Almaty

Transfer back, estimated arrival in the city.

What's included

What's included in the tour to Ayusai and Almarasan gorges

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transfer from Almaty in a comfortable minibus
  • Guide services in Russian
  • Entrance tickets to Ile-Alatau National Park
  • Visit to the falconry and bird show
  • Bottled water on the bus

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Lunch (you can bring your own or order at a cafe from $6)
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable trekking shoes or sneakers
  • Warm jacket or windbreaker (it's cool in the mountains)
  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Water bottle (you can fill from the spring)
  • 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.

Aidos Serikov — Senior guide, mountain routes★4.9

Aidos Serikov

Senior guide, mountain routes

187 reviews · experience 14 years

Dinara Kassymova — Guide-lecturer in Almaty★5

Dinara Kassymova

Guide-lecturer in Almaty

142 review · experience 11 years

Marat Zhunussov — Trekking instructor★4.8

Marat Zhunussov

Trekking instructor

96 reviews · experience 9 years

Oleg Kim — Driver-guide, jeep tours★4.9

Oleg Kim

Driver-guide, jeep tours

164 review · experience 13 years

Zhanna Abenova — Tour manager★4.8

Zhanna Abenova

Tour manager

78 reviews · experience 7 years

Timur Beketov — Multi-day tour guide★4.9

Timur Beketov

Multi-day tour guide

118 reviews · experience 10 years

Aliya Nurlan — Group coordinator★5

Aliya Nurlan

Group coordinator

64 review · experience 6 years

Sergey Volkov — Instructor, ski tours★4.8

Sergey Volkov

Instructor, ski tours

103 review · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the tour to Ayusai and Almarasan gorges

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
OD
Olga D.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went with kids to the falcon park. The kids were thrilled with the show. The guide showed the birds up close. Thank you.

Verified review · Order #48374
ZM
Zhanna M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Ayusai Gorge is very beautiful. We walked the trails and saw a waterfall. Too bad time flew by. The guide shared a lot of interesting info.

Verified review · Order #48048
PN
Pavel N.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went with my husband, just wanted to rest from the city and work. We chose the tour by chance, based on reviews, and didn't regret it. Almarasan is a cozy place, the walk is relaxing, you go along the river, listen to the water. We tried the mineral spring, the water tastes unusual. The staff is friendly, they show and explain everything. But the changing rooms, to be honest, are a bit cramped — on a day off there are many people. The guide organized everything, made sure no one fell behind. Lunch was in nature, we brought our own, but there's a cafe nearby. After lunch we went to the falcon park, watched the show. The birds, of course, are impressive. The day went great, we returned tired but happy.

Verified review · Order #47881
KA
Kseniya A.
Our website ·
★★★★★

The falcon show in the park is something else. The birds are very smart. You couldn't ask for anything better for kids. The guide told about each falcon. We were a bit late, but not critically. I recommend it to everyone.

Verified review · Order #42486
KM
Kanat M.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Chose the tour to Aiusai gorge on recommendation. Truly beautiful. The guide organized it perfectly.

Verified review · Order #42033
MT
Marina T.
Google ·
★★★★★

I read a lot about this tour and decided to go. No regrets: the trails are scenic, breathing is easy. The guide told interesting things about plants. True, we waited for the bus for about twenty minutes, but then we got there quickly.

Verified review · Order #40287
LF
Lyudmila F.
Google ·
★★★★★

We went to the gorges with my friend. We had a good rest. The departure was a bit delayed but that's fine.

Verified review · Order #40173
AN
Aidos N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

In Almarasan we walked to the waterfall and springs, in the evening it's especially pleasant there. The guide told us where it's better to go.

Verified review · Order #39800
BK
Bakhytzhan K.
Google ·
★★★★★

We'd wanted to take the kids to the mountains for a long time, but somehow it never worked out. Friends recommended this tour, saying both nature and birds — the kids will definitely like it. We went as three: me, my wife and my son. In the morning we went to the gorge, walked along the trail, my son ran around, photographed everything. Then there was Almarasan, but we didn't stay long because we were hurrying to the falcon park. And not in vain. The park is a separate pleasure. The birds are beautiful, the show is dynamic, my son even held a falcon on his hand (in a special glove, of course). The guide showed and explained everything, you can see he's passionate. The only thing, I'd like more time at the gorge, but the program is packed. Overall I recommend it, especially with kids.

Verified review · Order #36722
MB
Marat B.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My friend and I got together for the weekend, wanted to relax and improve our health. We chose Almarasan because of the springs. The water is truly healing, we drank from the spring. We liked everything, but we left 15 minutes later than planned.

Verified review · Order #31701
AS
Aiman S.
Google ·
★★★★★

The falcon show impressed us. The birds dived low. The kids really liked it. Zhanna allowed us to pet the falcon. Thanks for the emotions. My wife and I and two kids went to the gorge to show them the mountains. First Ayusai — beautiful, pine trees, river. Then Almarasan, but we weren't there long. And the falcon park became the main event. The birds fly close, the show is captivating. The kids squealed with joy. The guide showed everything, told about each bird. The only thing, I'd like a bit more time at the gorge, but even so it's packed. We'll definitely come back in summer.

Verified review · Order #29911
NS
Natalya Sh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Even though the tour is short, it's very vivid. Ayusai and the falcons. The guide organized everything. I recommend it.

Verified review · Order #29820
AB
Alikhan B.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Almarasan is pure relaxation. The air is pleasant, mountain views. We arrived early in the morning to avoid crowds. The guide recommended the time. On the way back we were delayed by traffic but all good.

Verified review · Order #29238
IR
Ilya R.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We rested with the family at the falcon park. The kids are delighted with the show. Beautiful birds, great photos. Only the cafe is expensive. Aliya helped with the tickets. Before that we were in Ayusai, walked in the forest, breathed the air. The trail is fine, we didn't get tired. Then we moved to Almarasan, there's a spring, the water is tasty. The weather was good, sunny. The guide told us everything, the kids listened. At the falcon park we liked that the birds fly right above your head. But the queues at the ticket office are long, we had to wait. Overall the trip was a success, thank you.

Verified review · Order #27439
DV
Denis V.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Vzyal tur v Aysay chtoby pokhodit' po goram. Priroda krasivaya. No po doroge nemnogo ukachalo. Gid pomog s marshrutom.

Verified review · Order #23414
EV
Elena V.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

I really liked the falcon show. The birds are beautiful, the trainer is great. The guide told everything interestingly.

Verified review · Order #23422
RA
Ruslan A.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Ayusay is beautiful but we ran out of time. The guide said we could stay longer. Overall okay.

Verified review · Order #23156
AZ
Asylbek Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went to Almarasan. The mountain slope is very good. Aliya helped. Thank you.

Verified review · Order #21694
VO
Vitaly O.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Falcon show and a walk in the park. Beautiful birds. Only had to wait 10 minutes for it to start.

Verified review · Order #19841
YK
Yerzhan K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We got together with the kids for the weekend, wanted to show them something alive, not a phone. We'd been eyeing the gorges for a while, and now there was also a falcon park in the program. We went. The road is fine, the minibus is comfortable. In Ayusai we walked along the river, the air after the city — you can't breathe enough. Then we stopped by Almarasan, there's a spring there, we drank some water. But the main thing for the kids was the falcon park. The show is interesting, the birds fly right above your head. The territory is well-kept, you can see the birds are looked after. The guide told us everything, answered the kids' questions. Only it was windy, but that's nature. Overall a great day, the kids still remember it.

Verified review · Order #19618
AR
Asel R.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

I really liked Almarasan. The mineral spring is super. The guide told about the history.

Verified review · Order #19568
IG
Irina G.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In autumn, Ayusai is especially beautiful, the leaves are yellow, the trail is easy. The guide talked about plants along the way. We had a good time.

Verified review · Order #18073
AK
Anna K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

I wanted to get out into nature, tired of the city bustle. My husband and I went to Ayusai. In autumn it's simply magical there: yellow leaves, clean air. We walked along the trail by the river, couldn't get enough of the fresh air. Thanks to Zhanna for the interesting story and company.

Verified review · Order #17212
DP
Dmitry P.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Ayusay is beautiful but crowded. The guide talked about nature. The tour itself was nice.

Verified review · Order #12039

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the tour to Ayusai and Almarasan gorges

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 question

The walking sections are short: in Ayusai you walk along a trail beside a mountain river to a viewpoint, and in Almarasan you walk to the waterfall and mineral springs. Between the gorges you are driven by car, about 20 minutes, so there are no long hikes. The route is easy and suitable for any fitness level.

Wear sneakers or trekking shoes — they are more comfortable on the trails — and take a jacket or windbreaker, as it is cool in the mountains. Don't forget a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle — you can fill it from a spring. A camera will come in handy: the views of the Trans-Ili Alatau and the falcons on your hand make great shots.

We start from Almaty at 08:00, and the return transfer begins at 16:30, with estimated arrival in the city after that time. The day takes about 8 hours, so you will be home by evening. We will confirm the exact meeting point in the city centre for your date via WhatsApp.

Yes, the format is private and without an overnight stay, and the route is easy — walking sections alternate with car rides. At the falcon nursery, the birds of prey show is usually enjoyed by both children and adults. If anyone in your group has health considerations, write to us on WhatsApp — we will advise how to plan the day more comfortably.

Yes, the tour is private: the car and guide work only for your group, there will be no strangers. Departures are daily, time on request, so the start can be adjusted to suit you. To agree on the date and group, write to us on WhatsApp.

$44 per person covers the road from Almaty, the guide's work, national park tickets, the falcon nursery with the show and water in the car. Lunch is not included: bring your own food or order at a café, from $6. Souvenirs and extra drinks are at your own expense; booking needs no prepayment, payment on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash.