★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Trekking · 4 days
Trek through the Zailiysky Alatau — mountain hiking from Almaty
5 · 23 reviews
A four-day trek through the scenic gorges of the Zailiysky Alatau. The route passes alpine meadows, glacial lakes, and passes. Ideal for those who want to see real Tien Shan landscapes without exhausting transitions.
WhenBy schedule
Duration4 days / 3 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $138/person
Program
Day-by-day program of the Zailiysky Alatau trek
Day 1
Gathering and start
06:30 departure from Almaty. Transfer to the Turgen Gorge. Start of trekking, transition to the base camp near the lake. Lunch on the route. In the evening, set up camp and dinner.
Day 2
Ascent to the pass
08:00 breakfast, then exit to the pass (altitude ~3200 m). Lunch at a rest stop. Descent to Lake Kazakhstan. Overnight in tents.
Day 3
Radial hike
09:00 radial hike to the glacier. Return to camp, lunch. Free time for photos. Evening bonfire and dinner.
Day 4
Return
08:00 breakfast, pack up camp. Descent through the gorge to the transfer point. Lunch at a cafe along the way. Arrival in Almaty by 18:00.
What's included
What is included in the cost of the Zailiysky Alatau trek
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back in a comfortable minibus
- Services of an experienced guide
- Meals on the route (breakfasts, lunches, dinners)
- Tents, sleeping bags, mats, and group equipment
- Permit to visit the national park and fees
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Accident insurance (recommended)
- Rental of trekking poles ($1/day)
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Trekking boots with good tread
- Warm jacket and windbreaker (windy on the pass)
- Fleece or thermal underwear
- Sunglasses and SPF 50+ sunscreen
- Personal first aid kit and wet wipes
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 Zailiysky Alatau trek
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Vladimir S.
Google ·
★★★★★Fast and efficient. The only downside was that the departure was delayed by half an hour.
Sergey K.
Google ·
★★★★★We went with a guide as a group of four, me and three colleagues. We chose this trek because we wanted to see real Tien Shan landscapes without long exhausting transitions. And we were not disappointed! Turgen Gorge greeted us with greenery and freshness. Overnight in tents by the lake is a separate pleasure. At the pass, a panorama opens up that takes your breath away. The guide led confidently and helped with backpacks on difficult sections. The only thing is, mosquitoes were a bit annoying, but that's minor. I recommend this route to everyone!
Gulnara A.
Our website ·
★★★★★Aleksandr and Ilyas are super guides! The mountains won us over. We went with friends, we had long dreamed of such a hike. The radial exit to the glacier was especially memorable, the views are stunning.
Valeriya T.
Google ·
★★★★★We spent a long time choosing a camping tour and settled on this one. No regrets. We went with our family, the kids are thrilled about the overnight stay by the lake. The guide showed and told us everything.
Marat Zh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Thanks to Aleksandr for the wonderful trek! The mountains are incredible.
Ardak A.
Google ·
★★★★★Barlyk uyimdastyru zogary dengeide boldy. Rakhmet.
Bakhyt Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★A hike in the Trans-Ili Alatau is something else! The guide told everything in an interesting way. We went with my brother, both first time in the mountains. Overnight by the lake and a campfire in the evening – unforgettable.
Ruslan K.
Google ·
★★★★★We looked at a bunch of options, but this one attracted us with its variety — meadows, lakes, and passes. We went as a group of four with friends, all experienced hikers. The hike exceeded expectations: the route is well thought out, the transitions are not exhausting, but they don't let you relax either. I especially liked the overnight stay at Lake Kazakhstan — the water is turquoise, silence all around. The guide knows the mountains perfectly and told interesting stories. At camp it was always warm and cozy thanks to the gear. The only thing is, I would have liked more time at the rest stops. Overall — a great experience!
Timur N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★It went well. The downside was that the pass was crowded.
Elena Sh.
Google ·
★★★★★At first we were late for departure due to traffic jams. But Sergey waited for us, great guys.
Zinaida F.
Our website ·
★★★★★We were on a four-day trek with tents. Very tired but happy. We went as a couple with my husband, wanted to test ourselves. Most of all we liked Lake Kazakhstan, the water is turquoise. The guide encouraged us on the ascent.
Asel K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★A hike through alpine gorges with overnight camping in tents—a dream come true.
Oleg P.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went for four days, the place is beautiful, but the road is bumpy.
Maksim R.
Yandex ·
★★★★★We went with the guide twice. The second time was even better. This time we went with colleagues, all beginners. The guide patiently explained everything, helped with the backpacks.
Dmitriy S.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We took this hike spontaneously, just wanted a change of scenery. I was with my husband and brother, all first-timers with tents. The manager explained everything about the gear and helped us pack. On the route, the guide was very attentive — kept an eye on the pace and suggested where to step. The ascent to the pass was not easy, but the view of the lake was worth it. On the third day we had a photo shoot at the glacier. The food was hearty, porridge and soups went down a treat after the treks. Thanks for the organization, I recommend it!
Natasha R.
Yandex ·
★★★★★We got together with friends at the beginning of summer, but only went in July. We chose between several tours and settled on this one because of the reviews about the guide. And we didn't regret it! The weather could have let us down, but the guide reacted sensitively and adjusted the plan. The ascent to the pass is what I remember most — though it was hard, the emotions were off the charts. At Lake Kazakhstan we had a rest stop with lunch, the water was icy, but we swam. In the evening by the campfire we sang songs with a guitar. The organization is top-notch, everything is clear. Thanks for the adventure!
Ksenia L.
Our website ·
★★★★★Thanks to the guide for the attentive attitude to the group. Everything was organized at the highest level.
Andrey L.
Google ·
★★★★★I chose the tour because of the picturesque landscapes. It exceeded expectations.
Arman M.
Our website ·
★★★★★The steppe trip was very wonderful. Andrey and Ilyas organized it very well.
Svetlana V.
Google ·
★★★★★We chose the tour because of the reviews. The guide is a professional, everything was clear.
Ivan G.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Went with the family. Madina organized the meals and route without any complaints.
Aigul M.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Camping trip was well organized. Anzhelika helped with gear.
Polina D.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to go to the mountains with tents, but kept hesitating. A friend persuaded me, and we went together. The first day started early, but by lunch we were among alpine meadows. What I remember most is the radial hike to the glacier — the views there are breathtaking. In the evenings we sat by the campfire, drank tea and looked at the stars. The guide kept encouraging us and made sure no one fell behind. The weather was lucky, rain almost never caught us. I returned a different person, I will definitely go again.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Zailiysky Alatau trek
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 questionFootwear — trekking boots with good tread; sneakers will be uncomfortable on the descents. Bring a warm jacket and a windbreaker for the upper sections: it's windy at the pass, and in the evening at camp a fleece or thermal underwear will help. Don't forget sunglasses, SPF 50+ cream, a personal first-aid kit and wet wipes.
The days are paced without exhausting pushes, with lunches on the trail and nights in tents, but it is still four days on foot with a climb to a pass at about 3200 m. If you're ready to walk with a backpack several days in a row and sleep in camp, beginners usually manage. Message us on WhatsApp with your date and we'll honestly tell you whether this format suits you.
Departure from Almaty at 06:30, then transfer to Turgen Gorge and the start of trekking. On the last day after breakfast we pack up camp, descend along the gorge to the transfer point, have lunch at a café on the way and by 18:00 we're already in Almaty. It's better to leave the evening of the fourth day free.
Meeting in Almaty, departure at 06:30 — this is the first item of the programme, so it's better to arrive a little early. We'll confirm the exact meeting point on WhatsApp for your departure date. Then you'll be taken to Turgen Gorge by minibus.
You walk all four days: first from Turgen Gorge to base camp, then the ascent to the pass at about 3200 m and descent to Lake Kazakhstan, on the third day a radial hike to the glacier and back. You sleep in tents: camp is set up together with the guide, and tents, sleeping bags and mats are included in the price. In the evening there's a campfire and dinner, so you can recover after the transitions.
The price includes the road from Almaty and back, the work of a guide-instructor, meals on the route and all camp gear — tents, sleeping bags, mats, group equipment, as well as the national park permit. Separately — only personal expenses such as souvenirs and extra drinks. We also recommend taking out accident insurance and, if needed, trekking poles — their rental is $1 per day.
The tour format is group, departures go on schedule, so you book for a specific date together with other participants. Booking — just a message on WhatsApp, without prepayment: you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash. Cancellation is free, so if your plans change — just write to us.
