Ile-Alatau National Park Tour from Almaty
A full day in the mountains right above the city: alpine valleys, waterfalls, glacier views and the best viewpoints of Ile-Alatau National Park, with hotel pickup, a comfortable vehicle and a local guide speaking English, Russian or Turkish.
- Duration: 8–10 hours
- Start: 10:00 from your hotel in Almaty
- Distance: 25–30 km from the city centre
- Season: all year round
- Group tour: daily, minimum 2 people
- Private tour: any day, any group size
- Vehicles: VIP car, minivan or 4x4
- Guide languages: English · Russian · Turkish
- Rated 5.0 on Google (38 reviews)
- Hotel pickup and park entrance fees included
- Change or cancel up to 72 hours before departure
- Reply within 24 hours, usually much faster
Tour itinerary: two routes through the park
Ile-Alatau National Park stretches along the whole mountain front above Almaty, so one day cannot cover everything. Choose the route that suits you; on a private tour we can mix stops from both.
Route A: Medeu, Shymbulak and Butakovka waterfall
- 10:00 Pickup at your hotel in Almaty.
- 10:30 Medeu, the high-altitude skating rink at 1,691 m, and the dam viewpoint above it.
- 11:30 Optional cable car to Shymbulak (2,260 m) and higher stations for glacier views (tickets not included).
- 13:30 Lunch at a mountain café (own expense).
- 14:30 Easy forest walk to Butakovka waterfall, about 1 hour return.
- 17:00–18:00 Return to the city and hotel drop-off.
Route B: Big Almaty Lake and the Alma-Arasan valley
- 10:00 Pickup at your hotel in Almaty.
- 11:00 Ayusai visitor centre and a short walk in the Alma-Arasan valley along the mountain river.
- 12:30 Drive up the mountain road to the Big Almaty Lake viewpoints at about 2,500 m.
- 12:30–14:30 Photos, a walk along the ridge above the turquoise lake, views of Peak Sovetov.
- 15:00 Lunch at a café on the way down (own expense).
- 17:00–18:00 Return to the city and hotel drop-off.
Times are approximate. Access to some zones near Big Almaty Lake can be restricted by the authorities on certain days; in that case we switch to Route A or another viewpoint in the park and tell you before departure.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Almaty
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle: VIP car, minivan or 4x4
- Local guide (English, Russian or Turkish)
- National park entrance fees
- Bottled water
Not included
- Shymbulak cable car tickets (optional)
- Lunch and personal expenses
- Tips for guide and driver (optional)
Group or private
Shared group tour
Runs daily with a minimum of 2 travellers on a fixed route. Good value for solo travellers and couples.
- Fixed 10:00 departure
- Small groups in a minivan
- No deposit required in most cases
Private tour
Your own vehicle and guide, any day. Choose your route, add a longer hike or a sunrise start for photography.
- Flexible start time and pace
- VIP car, minivan or 4x4, your choice
- Combine both routes over two days
Prices depend on the date, group size and vehicle. Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we will reply with a quote the same day.
Ile-Alatau in photos
About Ile-Alatau National Park
Ile-Alatau National Park covers the northern slopes of the Zailiysky Alatau range, starting a few kilometres from the last city streets of Almaty. Within one hour's drive you pass from apple orchards through spruce forest to alpine meadows and glaciers above 4,000 m. The park protects Big Almaty Lake, the Medeu and Shymbulak valleys, Kok-Zhailau plateau, Butakovka and Turgen waterfalls, and is home to marmots, ibex, foxes and golden eagles.
Because the park is so close to the city, it is the easiest way to see real Tian Shan mountain scenery without a long transfer. Entry is by paid ticket at the park gates; our guide handles tickets and registration at checkpoints so you can enjoy the day.
Best time to visit and what to bring
June to September is the main hiking season, with green meadows and open high-altitude roads. Late September and October bring golden larches and the clearest air. Winter turns the park into a snow landscape; Medeu and Shymbulak are open all year, and we use 4x4 vehicles when roads are icy.
Mountain weather changes fast. Even in summer, it can be 10–15 °C cooler at Big Almaty Lake than in the city.
Bring with you
- Closed shoes with grip, ideally hiking shoes
- Warm layer and windproof jacket, whatever the season
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; the sun is strong at altitude
- Passport or ID for park checkpoints
- Snacks; cafés exist only near Medeu and Shymbulak
Fitness level: easy to moderate. Walks are 1–2 hours on marked trails; longer hikes on request.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to visit Ile-Alatau National Park?
No special permit is needed for the main areas. Entry is by paid ticket at the gates, which is included in our tour. Some zones near Big Almaty Lake and the glaciers require registration or an ID check at a checkpoint; your guide takes care of this.
Is Big Almaty Lake always open to visitors?
Not always. The lake is a drinking-water reservoir, and access to the shore or the road above it is sometimes restricted. We check the situation before every tour and switch to another route in the park if needed.
Can I swim in the lakes?
No. Big Almaty Lake is a protected reservoir and swimming is prohibited; other alpine lakes are extremely cold. Photos from the shore are the best option.
Are there restaurants inside the park?
Cafés are available at Medeu and at the Shymbulak stations. In other valleys there are no facilities, so we recommend bringing snacks and water.
What wildlife can I see?
Marmots and ibex are the most common sightings in summer; you may also see foxes, roe deer and golden eagles. Keep your distance and do not feed the animals.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes. Both routes include short, easy walks and plenty of time in the vehicle. For families with small children we recommend Route A, which has cafés and toilets at every stop.
How do I book and pay?
Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp or through the contact form. We confirm within 24 hours. Group tours usually need no deposit; private tours are confirmed with a deposit, and the balance is paid on the day of the tour.
Explore the park in more depth
- Big Almaty Lake tourHalf-day trip to the turquoise lake
- Shymbulak tourCable car, skiing and glacier views
- Medeo tourThe high-altitude ice rink
- Turgen Gorge tourWaterfalls and forest walks
Book your Ile-Alatau day trip
Tell us your date, number of travellers and preferred route. We reply with availability and a price the same day.
WhatsApp +7 707 717 71 01 info@almatytourkz.comAlmaty Tour KZ · 22 Zenkov Street, Medeu District, Almaty · Local tour operator
Ile-Alatau · mountains, forest & waterfalls See the park before you book
Filmed on one of our own departures — the forest trails, the waterfalls and the viewpoints over the valley. No stock footage.
Get your price for this tour today
Tell us your dates and group size. We come back with availability and an exact price — usually within a couple of hours.
- Rated 5.0 on Google
- Answer within 24 hours
- Free cancellation up to 72 hours
- English · Russian · Turkish
