Guided Hike to Tourist Peak (3,954 m) from Almaty

A guided day hike or 2-day overnight trek to Tourist Peak (3,954 m) in the upper Big Almaty Gorge — a near-four-thousander that offers what many consider the finest panorama in the entire Ile Alatau range. The route passes Big Almaty Lake (2,511 m), the Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory (2,800 m), and the Cosmostation cosmic-ray research station at the Dzhusaly-Kezen Pass (~3,340 m), before ascending 600 m of scree and rock to a summit memorial honouring Kazakhstan’s climbers who died in the mountains.

What to expect on the Tourist Peak hike

From almost anywhere in Almaty, the sharpest pyramid on the southern skyline is Big Almaty Peak (3,682 m). What most people don’t realise is that directly behind it — hidden from the city’s view — stands a taller mountain. Tourist Peak, at 3,954 m, is 272 metres higher than its famous neighbour but invisible from town because Big Almaty Peak stands closer and blocks the line of sight.

This optical illusion captures something essential about Tourist Peak: it’s the mountain that rewards those who go further. The tourists who visit Big Almaty Lake see it across the water but don’t know its name. The hikers who climb Big Almaty Peak see it looming behind them. Only those who continue past the Cosmostation and up 600 metres of loose rock stand on its summit — and those people are rewarded with the widest, highest non-technical viewpoint in the Big Almaty Gorge system.

The summit carries a metal memorial plaque dedicated to Kazakhstani mountaineers who lost their lives in the mountains: Anatoli Boukreev, M. Galiev, I. Iodis, D. Sobolev, and others. Boukreev — who summited 10 of the world’s 14 eight-thousanders before dying on Annapurna in 1997 — is the most internationally famous name on the plaque. Standing at 3,954 m beside this memorial, surrounded by the peaks that shaped these climbers, the summit experience is as much about reflection as panorama.

Detailed itinerary

Option A: Day Hike (long, demanding, for fit and acclimatised hikers)

Morning: Almaty → Big Almaty Lake → Cosmostation (~3,340 m)

Pickup from your hotel at 6:00 AM. Drive through Big Almaty Gorge — paved road following the Bolshaya Almatinka River. The route passes through the Ile-Alatau National Park checkpoint (environmental fee), the Ayusai anti-mudflow dam construction zone (check access hours — restrictions apply), and climbs steeply to Big Almaty Lake at 2,511 m.

Stop at the lake for photographs. The turquoise water, backed by Satpayev Peak (4,317 m) and Ozerny Peak (4,110 m), is one of the most photographed scenes in Kazakhstan. Continue by vehicle past the Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory (2,800 m, built 1957 — scientists here study solar activity’s interaction with Earth’s magnetosphere) to the Dzhusaly-Kezen Pass (~3,340 m), where the Cosmostation sits.

The Cosmostation — formally the High Mountain Scientific Station of Cosmic Rays (VNSKL) — is one of the oldest high-altitude physics research stations in Central Asia, established during the Soviet era to record cosmic radiation particles. The station’s buildings are spartan but functional and provide a base for the hike.

Cosmostation to Tourist Peak — ~3 km, +600 m, 2.5–3.5 hours ascent

The trail begins from the pass and climbs the ridge southeast of the Cosmostation. There is no marked trail in the conventional sense — the route follows stone cairns and beaten paths through alpine scree. The terrain is entirely above treeline: bare rock, loose scree, and occasional snow patches depending on the season.

The first section ascends a moderate gradient on compacted scree. As you gain altitude, the rock becomes looser and steeper. The final 200 metres of elevation gain involve scrambling over larger boulders and navigating unstable scree slopes. This is the main hazard: loose rocks that shift underfoot, requiring good footwork and solid mountain boots. Trekking poles are helpful for balance but not essential.

The panorama expands with every step. Behind you (north): Big Almaty Lake shrinks to a turquoise disc far below. Ahead and on all sides: the massive peaks of the main Zailiyskiy Alatau ridge.

The Summit: 3,954 m

Tourist Peak sits 46 metres short of the four-thousander threshold — a tantalising near-miss that gives the mountain a peculiar character. It’s technically the most accessible near-4,000 m summit in the Almaty region: no ropes, no glacier, no technical climbing — just steep scree, altitude, and determination.

What you see from the top:

North: The city of Almaty on the plain, hazy in the distance. On clear, smog-free days (early morning, after rain), the blue strip of the Kapchagai Reservoir is visible beyond the city.

South: The main ridge of the Zailiyskiy Alatau — a wall of ice and rock extending east-west. This is the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border ridge.

West: Satpayev Peak (4,317 m), Ozerny Peak (4,110 m), and the cirque above Big Almaty Lake. The lake itself is directly below — a turquoise oval set in dark rock.

East: Big Almaty Peak (3,682 m) — now below you, its pyramid no longer dominant. Beyond it: the chain of peaks extending toward Almaty Peak/Komsomol (4,376 m), Molodezhniy (4,147 m), and the distant mass of Talgar (5,017 m).

Nearby: Turan Peak (3,970 m) — slightly higher, on the same ridge system.

At the summit: a memorial plaque honouring Kazakhstani climbers who gave their lives to the mountains. The names include Anatoli Boukreev, arguably the greatest high-altitude mountaineer Central Asia has produced — a man who summited 10 eight-thousanders and died on Annapurna on December 25, 1997. Also memorialised: M. Galiev, I. Iodis, D. Sobolev, and others.

Descent and return — 2–2.5 hours to Cosmostation, then drive to Almaty

The descent retraces the ascent. Loose rock is more hazardous going down — your guide controls the pace and ensures safe foot placement. At the Cosmostation: rest, hot tea, packed lunch. Vehicle transfer back through Big Almaty Gorge to Almaty. Return to hotel by evening.

Total day hike time: 8–10 hours (including driving, lake stop, and summit time).

Option B: 2-Day Tour (recommended — includes Big Almaty Peak)

The 2-day format adds Big Almaty Peak and allows proper acclimatisation. mnt.kz (a competitor) offers this format, and it makes physiological sense: sleeping at 3,340 m before pushing to 3,954 m the next morning is significantly safer than ascending from the city.

Day 1: Almaty → Big Almaty Lake (stop) → Cosmostation. Afternoon: optional ascent of Big Almaty Peak (3,682 m) — a 3 km round trip with ~340 m elevation gain from the pass, on the western ridge. Return to Cosmostation for dinner and overnight in the station hut (basic: bunk beds, warm shelter, outhouse). Evening panorama from the pass.

Day 2: Early morning ascent of Tourist Peak (3,954 m) — summit by mid-morning for best visibility. Descent to Cosmostation, pack up, vehicle transfer back to Almaty. Stop at Big Almaty Lake on the return if desired.

The 2-day format means you summit both peaks flanking the Dzhusaly-Kezen Pass — Big Almaty Peak (west) and Tourist Peak (east) — with an acclimatisation night between them. This is the superior experience.

Why book a guided Tourist Peak hike?

Loose rock is the primary hazard. The upper 200 m of the route is unstable scree that shifts underfoot. Good mountain boots and confident footwork are essential. Your guide reads the terrain, selects the most stable line, and manages the descent pace — loose rock is more dangerous going down than climbing up.

Altitude at 3,954 m. You start the hike at 3,340 m (already higher than most European alpine huts) and push to nearly 4,000 m. Altitude sickness symptoms — headache, nausea, impaired coordination — can emerge rapidly, especially if you’ve arrived from near sea level in the past 48 hours. Your guide monitors the group, enforces hydration stops, and makes the turnaround call if someone is struggling.

Navigation. There is no marked trail. The route follows cairns and beaten paths across featureless scree. In cloud or sudden weather, the ridge is disorienting. Your guide has done this route dozens of times and knows the line.

Border zone. The Dzhusaly-Kezen Pass area is within a border zone. Passport or ID checks by border patrol are possible. Ensure you have valid documents with you.

Logistics. Vehicle access to the Cosmostation requires navigating park checkpoints, the Ayusai dam construction zone (periodic road closures), and an unmade road section above the observatory. Your guide handles scheduling, permits, and vehicle logistics.

Tourist Peak vs Big Almaty Peak

These two peaks are neighbours — flanking opposite sides of the Dzhusaly-Kezen Pass — and most hikers choose one or the other for a day hike. Here’s how they compare:

Our recommendation: If you can do both, do the 2-day format — Big Almaty Peak on Day 1 (afternoon, acclimatisation), Tourist Peak on Day 2 (morning, summit). If choosing one: Tourist Peak for altitude achievement and the best panorama. Big Almaty Peak for the iconic “I climbed that pyramid you see from the city” experience.

The Cosmostation

The High Mountain Scientific Station of Cosmic Rays at Dzhusaly-Kezen Pass is one of the most unusual buildings you’ll encounter in the Almaty mountains. Established during the Soviet era, it’s operated by the Institute of Physics and Technology and continues active research into cosmic radiation.

At approximately 3,340 m, the station occupies a windswept pass with panoramic views in all directions. The buildings are functional Soviet-era concrete — not beautiful, but extraordinarily located. Scientists here make permanent recordings of cosmic radiation particles, taking advantage of the altitude (thinner atmosphere = more cosmic rays reach the detectors).

The station has a basic hut available for overnight stays: bunk beds, a warm shelter, and an outhouse. Conditions are spartan — “warm” is relative at 3,340 m — but sleeping here provides invaluable acclimatisation before a Tourist Peak summit attempt. On the 2-day tour, your guide arranges access and meals at the hut.

The Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory (TSAO) is located lower in the gorge at approximately 2,800 m. Built in 1957, it explores solar activity, atmospheric dynamics, and deep-space objects. You pass it on the drive up — visible as a cluster of domed buildings on the mountainside.

Acclimatisation strategy

Tourist Peak at 3,954 m demands respect for altitude. You should not attempt this summit as your first hike after arriving in Almaty from near sea level.

Recommended preparation:

1. Kok-Zhailau — 2,239 m, difficulty 2/5. Your first altitude test
2. Mynzhylki Plateau — 3,000 m, difficulty 3/5. Tests your response at 3,000 m
3. Big Almaty Lake Day Tour — 2,511 m. Same gorge, familiarises you with the approach
4. T-1 Glaciological Station — 3,440 m, difficulty 3.5/5. Close to Cosmostation altitude

The ideal sequence: Big Almaty Lake visit 2–3 days before, then the 2-day Tourist Peak + BAP trip with an acclimatisation night at 3,340 m.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do both Tourist Peak and Big Almaty Peak in one day?

No. WildTicket and other sources confirm that both peaks cannot be conquered in a single day from the Cosmostation. The combined elevation gain (~940 m), distance (~12 km round trip), and altitude make it too much. Choose one for a day hike, or do both in the 2-day format.

Do I need climbing equipment?

No ropes, crampons, or technical gear required. Tourist Peak is a steep hike on loose rock — not a climb. You need good mountain boots (ankle support, stiff sole for scree), trekking poles (optional but helpful on descent), and warm layers for the summit.

Why is it called “Tourist Peak”?

The name reflects its accessibility — it’s considered one of the most achievable near-4,000 m summits in the region, reachable without technical climbing skills. The name dates from the Soviet mountaineering classification era, when peaks were categorised by difficulty.

Is the road to the Cosmostation paved?

Paved from Almaty to approximately the Astronomical Observatory (2,800 m). The final section to the Cosmostation at the pass may be unpaved or deteriorated, depending on recent weather and maintenance. Your vehicle handles this; your guide knows current road conditions.

What’s on the memorial plaque?

A metal plaque honouring Kazakhstani mountaineers who died in the mountains. Named climbers include Anatoli Boukreev (died on Annapurna, December 25, 1997), M. Galiev, I. Iodis, D. Sobolev, and others. Boukreev Peak (3,010 m), located in the Kotyrbulak gorge near Almaty, is also named in his honour.