Day Tour to Assy Plateau from Almaty (Bear Waterfall & Highland Meadows)

Assy Plateau is a vast high-mountain valley at 2100–2800 m, about 110 km east of Almaty. This relaxed day tour combines a short scenic hike to Bear Waterfall in Turgen Gorge with a beautiful off-road drive up to the plateau. You’ll walk through alpine meadows, visit the Assy-Turgen Observatory, enjoy 360° views of the Zailiyskiy Alatau ridges, and see traditional Kazakh yurts and grazing horses/sheep in summer. Total walking distance is only 5–7 km (mostly flat on the plateau), making it perfect for anyone who wants mountain scenery without a big elevation effort.

Detailed Itinerary

Pickup & drive from Almaty (2–2.5 hours)

We pick you up from your hotel/apartment at 8:00–8:30 and drive east through Issyk to Turgen Gorge (good asphalt most of the way).

Bear Waterfall hike in Turgen Gorge (1–1.5 hours)

Short, easy trail (about 2.5 km round trip, 150 m elevation) through spruce forest to the impressive 30-metre Bear Waterfall. Plenty of time for photos and a short break by the river.

Drive up to Assy Plateau (1 hour)

Continue on the scenic (and sometimes bumpy) mountain road over Asy Pass to the plateau. First views of the wide open highlands.

Explore Assy Plateau & Observatory (2–3 hours)

Walk across the gentle alpine meadows (flat, 3–4 km total). We visit the Assy-Turgen Observatory at ~2750 m, take panoramic photos, and often stop near local yurts (in summer you can see nomads with horses and sheep). Picnic lunch with mountain views.

Return to Almaty (2–2.5 hours)

Same route back or via a different scenic section depending on road conditions. Arrival in the city around 18:00–19:00.