Turgen Gorge Tour from Almaty: Waterfalls and Forest Day Trip
A relaxed mountain day 90 km east of Almaty: spruce forest, the Turgen waterfalls, a trout farm lunch and optional horse riding, with hotel pickup, a comfortable vehicle and a local guide speaking English, Russian or Turkish.
- Duration: 8–10 hours
- Start: 09:00 from your hotel in Almaty
- Distance: 90 km, about 1.5–2 hours each way
- Season: April to October (winter on request)
- Group tour: daily, minimum 2 people
- Private tour: any day, any group size
- Vehicles: VIP car, minivan or 4x4
- Walking: 30 minutes to 2 hours, your choice
- 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
Turgen Gorge tour itinerary
- 09:00 Pickup at your hotel or apartment in Almaty.
- 09:15 Drive east along the foothills through villages and orchards, about 1.5–2 hours with a short stop.
- 11:00 Enter Turgen Gorge, part of Ile-Alatau National Park. Stop at the viewpoint over the river valley.
- 11:30 Walk to Bear Waterfall (Medvezhiy): an easy 30-minute trail with bridges and railings, suitable for all ages.
- 12:30 Optional longer hike to Kairak Waterfall for fit walkers (about 2 hours return), or optional horse riding along the river (paid on site).
- 14:00 Lunch at a trout farm or local café in the gorge (own expense); fresh grilled trout is the local speciality.
- 15:30 Return drive to Almaty.
- 17:30–18:30 Drop-off at your hotel.
Times are approximate. On a private tour you can add Issyk Lake on the way back; see the Issyk Lake tour.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Almaty
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle: VIP car, minivan or 4x4 after rain
- Local guide (English, Russian or Turkish)
- National park entrance fees
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch at the trout farm and personal expenses
- Horse riding (optional, paid on site)
- Tips for guide and driver (optional)
Group or private
Shared group tour
Runs daily with a minimum of 2 travellers on the standard route with Bear Waterfall and lunch stop.
- Fixed 09:00 departure
- Small groups in a minivan
- No deposit required in most cases
Private tour
Your own vehicle and guide, any day. Choose the longer Kairak hike, add horse riding or combine with Issyk Lake.
- Flexible start time and pace
- VIP car, minivan or 4x4, your choice
- Ideal for families and hikers
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.
Turgen Gorge in photos
Why travellers choose Turgen Gorge
Turgen Gorge is the green, gentle side of the Almaty mountains. Instead of bare rock and altitude, you get a river valley lined with Tian Shan spruce, meadows where horses graze, and a chain of waterfalls fed by glaciers higher up. Bear Waterfall is reached by a short, well-built trail; Kairak Waterfall rewards a longer hike with a 50-metre drop in a narrow side canyon.
The valley is also known for its trout farms, where lunch is cooked from fish caught the same morning, and for horse riding along the river. It is a good choice for families, for a first day at altitude, or as a quieter alternative to Medeu and Shymbulak.
Best time to visit and what to bring
May and June bring the strongest waterfalls from snowmelt and the greenest meadows. July and August are warm and ideal for the longer hike. September and October give golden forest colours and few visitors. In winter the trails can be icy and the waterfalls partly freeze; we run winter tours on request with a 4x4.
Bring with you
- Closed shoes with grip; the trail is wet near the falls
- A light jacket, even in summer, for the spray and the forest shade
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Insect repellent in June and July
- Cash for the trout farm and horse riding
Fitness level: easy for Bear Waterfall, moderate for Kairak Waterfall.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Turgen waterfalls open all year round?
The gorge is accessible all year, but the best time is April to October. In winter some trails are icy and the waterfalls partly freeze; winter tours are possible on request with a 4x4 vehicle.
How long is the walk to the waterfall?
Bear Waterfall is about 30 minutes each way on an easy trail with bridges and railings. Kairak Waterfall is a longer hike of about 2 hours return with some steep sections.
Is the tour suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes. The Bear Waterfall route is short and safe for children and seniors. Only the optional Kairak hike needs good fitness.
Can I swim near the waterfalls?
Swimming is not recommended: the water is glacier-cold and the current near the falls is strong. Enjoy the spray from the viewpoints instead.
Are there toilets or cafés in the gorge?
Basic toilets and small cafés or trout farms are located near the lower trails and the entrance. Facilities are limited higher up, so we carry water and recommend snacks.
Which vehicle is used?
A comfortable air-conditioned VIP car or minivan. The road is paved until the forest section; after heavy rain we use a 4x4 for the last part.
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.
Combine Turgen Gorge with these tours
- Issyk Lake tourTurquoise lake on the same road east
- Ile-Alatau National Park tourThe mountains above the city
- Charyn Canyon tourKazakhstan's Grand Canyon
- Kolsai Lakes tourAlpine lakes and Kaindy
Book your Turgen Gorge day trip
Tell us your date and number of travellers. 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
Turgen Gorge · waterfalls & mountain forest See the gorge before you book
Filmed on one of our own departures — the road up the valley, the forest trail and the waterfalls at the end of it. 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
