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Almaty Mountains

Our Tours

Embark on unforgettable hikes through Almaty’s stunning mountain trails, including Kok-Zhailau, Medeu, and Shymbulak.

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Shymbulak Almaty: Trail Overview, Skiing, Prices, and More
Easy

Shymbulak Almaty: Trail Overview, Skiing, Prices, and More

From $87/person
Alma-Arasan Hot Springs in Almaty Mountains
Easy

Alma-Arasan Hot Springs in Almaty Mountains

From $60/person
Medeo in Almaty: The Ultimate Ice Skating Rink
Easy

Medeo in Almaty: The Ultimate Ice Skating Rink

From $62/person
Charyn Canyon Day Tour from Almaty – Valley of Castles & Prices (2026)
Easy

Charyn Canyon Day Tour from Almaty – Valley of Castles & Prices (2026)

From $62/person
Day Tour to Issyk Lake from Almaty
Easy

Day Tour to Issyk Lake from Almaty

From $82/person
Chundzha Hot Springs: Day Trip or Weekend Getaway from Almaty
Easy

Chundzha Hot Springs: Day Trip or Weekend Getaway from Almaty

From $82/person
Oi-Qaragai (Lesnaya Skazka) Mountain Resort near Almaty
Easy

Oi-Qaragai (Lesnaya Skazka) Mountain Resort near Almaty

From $72/person
Ak-Kayin Birch Grove: Guided Walk from Almaty
Easy

Ak-Kayin Birch Grove: Guided Walk from Almaty

From $72/person
Day Tour to Assy Plateau from Almaty (Bear Waterfall & Highland Meadows)
Easy

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

From $80/person
Kok-Tobe: Almaty’s Highest Viewpoint and Gateway to the Mountains
Easy

Kok-Tobe: Almaty’s Highest Viewpoint and Gateway to the Mountains

From $56/person
Day Tour to Lake Kaindy (Sunken Forest) from Almaty
Easy

Day Tour to Lake Kaindy (Sunken Forest) from Almaty

From $99/person
Day Tour to the City of Nomads from Almaty
Easy

Day Tour to the City of Nomads from Almaty

From $70/person
Guided Tour to Altyn-Emel National Park from Almaty – Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains & Ancient Burial Mounds
Easy

Guided Tour to Altyn-Emel National Park from Almaty – Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains & Ancient Burial Mounds

From $184/person
Mangystau Expedition – Boszhira, Torysh & the Alien Landscapes of Western Kazakhstan
Easy

Mangystau Expedition – Boszhira, Torysh & the Alien Landscapes of Western Kazakhstan

Sibin Lakes Tour – Five Granite-Framed Lakes in the Kazakh Altai Foothills
Easy

Sibin Lakes Tour – Five Granite-Framed Lakes in the Kazakh Altai Foothills

From $75/person
The Helipad Walk
Easy

The Helipad Walk

From $43/person
Bestamak Canyon Tour from Almaty – The “Little Charyn” Without the Crowds
Easy

Bestamak Canyon Tour from Almaty – The “Little Charyn” Without the Crowds

From $78/person
Tamgaly Petroglyphs Tour from Almaty – UNESCO Bronze-Age Rock Art at Tanbaly
Easy

Tamgaly Petroglyphs Tour from Almaty – UNESCO Bronze-Age Rock Art at Tanbaly

From $79/person
Tuzkol Lake Tour from Almaty – The Salt Lake That Mirrors Khan Tengri (7,010 m)
Easy

Tuzkol Lake Tour from Almaty – The Salt Lake That Mirrors Khan Tengri (7,010 m)

From $190/person
Medeo to Shymbulak on Foot: the Small Almaty Gorge Walk
Easy

Medeo to Shymbulak on Foot: the Small Almaty Gorge Walk

From $60/person
Tamgaly-Tas: Buddha Carvings & Climbing on the Ili River
Easy

Tamgaly-Tas: Buddha Carvings & Climbing on the Ili River

From $70/person
Terrenkur in Almaty: The City’s Riverside Health Trails
Easy

Terrenkur in Almaty: The City’s Riverside Health Trails

FriendHike

Find your next trail in the FriendHike app

GPS routes, trail conditions, and hiking partners for the Almaty mountains

We run private guided hiking tours in the mountains above Almaty - from gentle half-day walks through spruce forest to multi-day expeditions on the four-thousanders of the Ile (Zailiysky) Alatau. Every tour is 100% private: your group only, and the pace is set by you.

Every route below is one we have walked ourselves. Each is graded from 1/5 - families and first-timers, no experience needed - up to 5/5, roped alpine ascents with a certified guide, so you can choose by difficulty instead of guesswork.

Day hikes start at $100 per person and the price drops as your group grows, to around $50 each for six people. Every tour includes an English-speaking guide, round-trip transport from Almaty, lunch on the trail, national park fees and a first aid kit. You pay nothing until we confirm your date.

Not sure where to start? The easiest hikes near Almaty are a good first look - or tell us your dates and fitness and we will suggest a route.

When to hike near Almaty

Altitude decides everything here. Almaty sits at about 800 m while the trails climb to 3,000-4,500 m, so the foothills and the high peaks are often in completely different seasons on the same day.

  • Mid-June to mid-September - the main season. High passes, alpine lakes and the four-thousanders are open.
  • May and October - best for lower trails, waterfalls and autumn colour, while the high passes are still, or already, under snow.
  • December to February - snowshoeing, the ski resorts, Medeo skating and the hot springs, plus serious winter ascents for experienced mountaineers.

Our month-by-month guide covers this in detail, and we watch the forecast right up to your date.

How booking works

Pick a tour and a date - or just tell us your dates and fitness and we will suggest a route. We confirm the guide, the transport and the conditions, then a small deposit reserves the day and the balance is paid on the day of the hike. Cancel free up to 48 hours before for a full refund. If we cancel for weather or safety, you choose a free reschedule or a full refund.

The booking and FAQ page has the full detail, and pricing has the complete breakdown by group size.

Choosing your tour

Four levels, all private:

  • Easy day hikes from $100 per person - gentle trails, stunning views, back by evening. Start with the best day trips from Almaty or the waterfall hikes.
  • Summits and long day hikes from $144 per person - 3,000-5,000 m peaks with a certified alpine guide, in a single day.
  • Multi-day expeditions from $330 per person - 2 to 11 days, camping under the stars. See the multi-day treks.
  • VIP experience from $550 per person - premium transport, gourmet meals in the mountains, professional photography and drone footage.

New to the mountains here? Read first time hiking in Almaty for altitude, fitness and what to pack.