Alma-Arasan Hot Springs in Almaty Mountains

A guided half-day or full-day tour to the Alma-Arasan hot springs — natural radon-sulphur thermal pools set in a mountain gorge just 30 minutes from central Almaty. The tour combines a gentle gorge hike along the Prohodnaya River (wooden bridges, canyon walls, a waterfall) with a soak in warm mineral water at 1,835 m elevation, surrounded by Tien Shan spruce forest and mountain peaks.

What to expect on the Alma-Arasan hot springs tour

“Alma-Arasan” means “Apple Hot Spring” in Kazakh, and this place has been drawing people for its waters since at least 1931, when explorers documented over 16 thermal springs on the western slopes of the Prohodnoe (Проходное) gorge. A sanatorium operated here from 1931 until 1990, treating patients with the mineral-rich water. In 2019, the site was renovated with new stairs, a workout area, and three small pools — two filled with warm mineral water and one with cold mountain river water for contrast bathing.

The water rises from tectonic faults at temperatures between 20°C and 39°C. It is classified as sulphate-hydrocarbonate-sodium type, with biologically active components including silicon dioxide, fluorine, hydrogen sulphide, and radon. The healing properties are compared to the famous Pyrenean-type thermal waters of France. Bathing is believed to help with skin conditions, joint and muscle pain, circulation, and stress — though the experience of sitting in warm mineral water with mountains above you is therapeutic in its own right, regardless of chemistry.

Detailed itinerary

Transfer from Almaty to Prohodnoe Gorge (30–40 minutes)

Pickup from your Almaty hotel. Drive south on Navoi/Dulati Street toward the mountains. At the Al-Farabi / Navoi intersection, the road climbs into the foothills. At the “Deer” junction, the road forks — left into Prohodnoe gorge, right toward Big Almaty Gorge. We take the left fork. The eco-post entrance fee (477 KZT per person) is paid at the gate.

Park at the former Alma-Arasan sanatorium area (~1,780 m).

Gorge hike to the hot springs (30–45 minutes)

The trail from the parking area follows the Prohodnaya River upstream through a narrow canyon. The path is well-maintained with wooden bridges crossing the river, metal staircases on steep sections, and a small sports/workout area near the start. The first 10 minutes are the busiest section — the hot springs are popular with local families, especially on weekends.

Maiden’s Tears Waterfall (Водопад Девичьи Слёзы). Within the first 20 minutes, a delicate cascade appears on the canyon wall — thin streams of water trickling down moss-covered rock. A small café operates nearby in season.

The hot springs. Just beyond the waterfall, you reach the thermal pools — three small man-made basins fed by natural springs emerging from the rock. Two pools contain warm mineral water (approximately 33–38°C); one is filled with cold river water (~10°C) for contrast bathing. The setting is a shaded clearing in the gorge, with the river rushing past and spruce forest climbing the slopes above.

Soak time: 30–60 minutes is typical. Towels and swimwear required (bring your own or we provide). Changing cabins are available on site.

Optional extension: deeper into Prohodnoe Gorge (+2–4 hours)

For groups who want more than a soak, the trail continues upstream into the heart of Prohodnoe gorge — one of the most beautiful approach valleys near Almaty. Continuing past the springs, you enter increasingly wild terrain:

Terra Meadow (Поляна Терра, ~2,550 m) — a wide alpine clearing at the treeline, the hub for routes deeper into the mountains. Approximately 6 km from the parking area, 4–5 hours round trip from the springs. This extension turns the hot springs visit into a proper day hike.

Alyoshkin Bridge — a river crossing beyond Terra Meadow, connecting to routes toward Peak Karniznyi (4,017 m) and the Almaty-Alagir Pass (3,655 m). For experienced hikers only.

The standard hot springs tour returns to the parking area from the pools. The full gorge extension is available as an add-on.

Return to Almaty (30–40 minutes)

Drive back down to the city. For the half-day format, you’re back at your hotel by early afternoon.

The water: what’s in it and what it does

The Alma-Arasan springs are classified as thermal radon-sulphur waters. According to scientific analyses (Wikipedia / Kazakh geological surveys):

Temperature: 20–39°C (varies by spring; the pools are typically 33–38°C).

Mineralisation: 0.3 g/L — classified as low-mineralisation, which means the water is gentle on the skin.

Chemical type: Sulphate-hydrocarbonate-sodium.

Active components: Silicon dioxide (40–75 mg/L), fluorine (3.6–6 mg/L), hydrogen sulphide (0.58 mg/L), radon (9–13 eman).

Therapeutic claims: The water is traditionally used for treating musculoskeletal conditions, skin disorders, nervous system ailments, and respiratory issues. The radon content is the key therapeutic ingredient — radon balneotherapy is a well-established practice in European spas (notably Bad Gastein in Austria and Jáchymov in Czechia). We make no specific medical claims, but the experience of soaking in warm mineral water at 1,835 m in a mountain gorge is, at minimum, deeply relaxing.