Day Hiking Tour to Bear Waterfall (Ayusay) from Almaty

A guided half-day hike through Ayusay Gorge — the “Bear Gorge” — in the Big Almaty Gorge to three cascading waterfalls, starting from the modern Ayusay Visitor Center just 15 km from the city.

What to expect on the Bear Waterfall hike

The Bear Waterfall hike from Almaty is the closest real waterfall experience to the city — and one of the easiest. Ayusay Gorge (translated from Kazakh as “Bear Log”) branches off the Big Almaty Gorge just 15 km from Almaty’s center, which puts it within reach of even a half-day trip. The first waterfall stands only 700 metres from the gorge entrance. You can be standing in front of a 6-metre cascade less than 30 minutes after leaving your hotel.

But the gorge is deeper and more interesting than that quick first impression suggests. The Ayusay River — 7 km long, flowing along granite ledges before joining the Big Almatinka River — creates a chain of five waterfalls at increasing heights. Most visitors see only the first. A guided hike takes you past the crowds to the second and third waterfalls, where the gorge narrows into a rocky canyon and the 10-metre third cascade — the tallest in the series — drops into a pool surrounded by cliff walls.

The gorge sits on the eastern slope of the Big Almaty Gorge, on the territory of the Ile-Alatau National Park. The mouth of the Ayusay River is at 1,605 metres above sea level; the first waterfall sits at roughly 1,782 m. The landscape is classic Zailiyskiy Alatau foothill terrain: granite ledges, spruce forest, and narrow canyon walls that block the sun and keep the air cool even on the hottest summer days.

Since 2021, the gorge has a proper visitor center — the Ayusay Visit Center — with a parking area, information displays about the national park, a glamping site (Tau Tas camping), and an apple orchard. The Kazakh artist Sanzhar Zhubanov created petroglyphs along the “Myn Koz” trail near the center, and four natural springs emerge from the ground in the area. It’s a well-developed starting point, which makes the gorge suitable for families and first-time mountain visitors while still offering genuine wilderness once you hike past the first waterfall.

A word of honesty about crowds: on summer weekends, the first waterfall area can see 1,000–1,200 visitors. The second and third waterfalls receive far fewer — most people turn around after the first cascade. Going on a weekday, arriving early, or hiking with a guide who takes you beyond the first waterfall all dramatically improve the experience.

Detailed itinerary

Pickup and drive to Ayusay Visitor Center (30–40 minutes)

We pick you up from your Almaty hotel at 8:00–9:00 AM and drive south along Dulati Avenue, then Alma-Arasan Street toward the Big Almaty Gorge. After the eco-post at the national park entrance (fee included), we continue 4 km along the Bolshaya Almatinka River, passing recreation areas, until we reach the Ayusay Visitor Center.

The drive is short — 15 km from central Almaty, about 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. This is one of the closest mountain destinations to the city.

At the visitor center, we stop briefly to orient ourselves. The center provides information about the Ile-Alatau National Park’s flora and fauna, and the Three Bears sculpture group marks the entrance to the gorge — the landmark that gives the area its name. According to local legend, a family of bears once lived near the waterfalls, which is how the gorge earned its Kazakh name “Ayusay” (Bear Log).

First waterfall (20–30 minutes from visitor center)

From the bear sculptures, the trail heads west into the gorge. The path is well-maintained and mostly flat, following the Ayusay River upstream through mixed forest. After approximately 700 metres — an easy 20-minute walk — the first waterfall appears around a left turn in the canyon.

This cascade drops approximately 5–6 metres over a granite ledge into a rocky pool. It was once nearly twice as high, but a rockfall from the left slope in the 1960s reduced its height. Despite this, it remains the most visited and photographed waterfall in the gorge. On weekends, expect a crowd here. On weekdays, you may have it to yourself.

The river crossing near the first waterfall requires careful footing on slippery stones — your guide helps navigate the best path.

Second waterfall (10 minutes further)

Almost immediately above the first waterfall, the trail continues to a second, smaller cascade — roughly 3 metres high. This is a brief but pretty stop. Above it, the gorge begins to narrow noticeably, and the character of the hike changes: fewer people, steeper walls, more of a canyon feel.

An observation platform here gives a view back down the gorge.

Third waterfall — the main event (30–40 minutes from second)

The trail continues up the narrowing gorge, which becomes a genuine rocky canyon — steep walls on both sides, the river threading through granite. This section requires more careful footing and some light scrambling.

The third waterfall is hidden behind a cliff on the left — you don’t see it until you’re almost there. At 10 metres, it’s the tallest accessible waterfall in the Ayusay Gorge, dropping in a single curtain into a pool at the base. A spacious observation deck to the right provides the best viewing angle.

This is our main destination. We take time here for photos, rest, and a snack. In early summer (June), you may encounter remnants of spring avalanche snow — sometimes forming natural snow bridges across the gorge. The atmosphere is markedly different from the busy first waterfall: quiet, enclosed by rock walls, with the sound of falling water echoing through the canyon.

Beyond the third waterfall, two more waterfalls exist higher in the gorge, but they’re in increasingly inaccessible terrain. One, in the right tributary of the Ayusay River, is reportedly quite tall but essentially unknown due to difficulty of access. The standard guided hike turns around at the third waterfall.

Descent and optional extensions (1–1.5 hours)

The return follows the same trail downhill — easier and faster. Total round-trip hiking time to the third waterfall and back is approximately 3–4 hours at a comfortable pace.

Back at the visitor center, optional activities include:

Myn Koz trail: A short interpretive trail near the visitor center featuring petroglyphs by Kazakh artist Sanzhar Zhubanov and information about local ecology. Four natural springs along the route.

Glamping / Tau Tas camping: If you want to extend the experience, the visitor center offers glamping and camping options. Not part of the standard day tour, but worth knowing about.

Combine with Big Almaty Lake: The gorge entrance is on the road to Big Almaty Lake (2,510 m). You can do the Ayusay waterfall hike in the morning and continue to the lake in the afternoon for a full-day experience. We offer this as a combination tour.

Combine with Alma-Arasan hot springs: The Alma-Arasan Gorge and its natural hot springs are nearby in the same valley system. A competitor (KazGuidedTours) pairs these two destinations in a single day tour — and so can we.

Sunkar Falconry Center: Located in the Big Almaty Gorge area, the falcon farm offers eagle, falcon, and hawk shows (Wednesday–Sunday, April–October). A popular add-on.

Return to Almaty by early afternoon (13:00–14:00) if doing the waterfall hike only, or by late afternoon if combining with Big Almaty Lake or other stops.

Why book a guided Bear Waterfall hike?

For the first waterfall alone, you don’t strictly need a guide — the trail is short and obvious. But the guide’s value shows beyond that first cascade:

Getting past the crowds: 90% of visitors stop at the first waterfall. Your guide takes you to the second and third — where the gorge becomes a genuine canyon and the tallest waterfall (10 m) hides behind a cliff. Without a guide, many hikers miss the third waterfall entirely or aren’t sure the trail continues.

River crossings and canyon navigation: The path to the second and third waterfalls involves slippery river crossings and light scrambling through narrowing canyon walls. A guide chooses the safest route, especially after rain when water levels rise.

Combination logistics: The real value is pairing Ayusay with Big Almaty Lake, Alma-Arasan hot springs, or the Sunkar falconry center. Your guide plans the timing, handles transport between stops, and turns a quick waterfall visit into a full-day mountain experience.

When to visit the Bear Waterfalls

May–June: Snowmelt feeds the waterfalls at their most powerful. In June, remnants of spring avalanche snow may still be present in the upper gorge — sometimes forming natural snow bridges (dramatic but be cautious). Wildflowers in the surrounding forest.

July–August: Peak season, warmest weather. Waterfalls have less flow than spring but are still running. Busiest weekends (1,000+ visitors at the first waterfall). Go on a weekday or arrive before 9 AM.

September–October: Autumn colours in the forest, fewer visitors, waterfalls at lower flow. Cool, comfortable hiking temperatures. Excellent conditions.

November–March: The visitor center stays open (9 AM–7 PM, Nov–Mar) and winter visits are possible, but avalanche danger exists in the upper gorge in winter and spring. The lower trail to the first waterfall can be done in winter with proper gear. Ice formations on the frozen waterfalls are spectacular but less visited.

Visitor center hours: April–October: 8 AM–7 PM. November–March: 9 AM–7 PM.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Bear Waterfall hike? To the first waterfall: 1/5, essentially flat, 700 m each way, suitable for anyone including young children and elderly visitors. To the third waterfall: 2/5, involves some river crossings and light scrambling in a narrowing canyon, roughly 2–2.5 km each way. Suitable for anyone with basic fitness and proper shoes.

How many waterfalls are there? Five waterfalls in total on the Ayusay River. The first three are accessible on the standard hiking trail: the first (5–6 m) at 700 m from the entrance, the second (3 m) immediately above, and the third (10 m) about 30–40 minutes further up the canyon. The fourth and fifth are in increasingly difficult terrain and not part of standard tours.

Why is it called “Bear Waterfall”? “Ayusay” translates from Kazakh as “Bear Log” or “Bear Ravine.” Local legend says a family of brown bears once lived near the waterfalls. A sculpture group of three bears at the gorge entrance marks the spot. Brown bears (Tien Shan subspecies) do still inhabit the upper reaches of the Zailiyskiy Alatau, though encounters near the waterfalls are extremely rare given the visitor traffic.

Can I combine this with Big Almaty Lake? Yes — this is one of the best half-day + half-day combinations near Almaty. The Ayusay Visitor Center is on the road to Big Almaty Lake. Do the waterfall hike in the morning (2–3 hours), then continue up the gorge to the lake (additional 30–40 min drive). We offer this as a combination day tour.

How crowded does it get? The first waterfall sees up to 1,000–1,200 visitors on peak summer weekends. The second and third waterfalls are dramatically quieter — most people turn around after the first cascade. Weekday mornings are the best time for solitude. Going with a guide who takes you beyond the first waterfall solves the crowd problem entirely.

Is the visitor center worth stopping at? Yes, briefly. The Ayusay Visitor Center (opened 2021) has park information displays, the Myn Koz interpretive trail with petroglyphs by artist Sanzhar Zhubanov, four natural springs, and glamping/camping options. It’s a well-designed facility that adds context to the visit, especially for first-time visitors to the Ile-Alatau National Park.

What about the anti-mudflow dam construction? A new mudflow protection dam has been built on the Bolshaya Almatinka River near the gorge entrance. This construction may affect vehicle access times — check current conditions before visiting, or let your guide handle logistics. The dam project reflects the very real mudflow risk in Almaty’s mountain gorges (the 1973 Big Almaty Gorge mudflow and the 1963 Issyk Lake disaster are historical precedents).

Is this the same as the Bear Waterfall in Turgen Gorge? No — there are two “Bear Waterfalls” near Almaty, and this causes frequent confusion. This article covers the Ayusay Gorge waterfalls in the Big Almaty Gorge (15 km from Almaty, multiple small waterfalls, easy trail). The other “Bear Waterfall” (Medvezhiy) is in Turgen Gorge, 70 km east of Almaty — a single 30-metre waterfall with a different access route. We cover the Turgen Gorge separately in our Turgen Gorge Waterfalls tour.

Is it suitable for children? The first waterfall is ideal for children of all ages — flat path, short distance, bear sculptures at the entrance. The trail to the third waterfall involves river crossings and uneven terrain that’s manageable for children over 8–10 with adult supervision.