Experience the best of Almaty’s winter attractions, from skiing down the pristine slopes of Shymbulak to enjoying breathtaking cable car rides that showcase the majestic mountains of the Zailiyskiy Alatau, with this 5-day "Winter Magic in Almaty" tour. Stroll through the city’s illuminated streets, visit cozy cafes, and indulge in local delicacies. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, this winter escape promises unforgettable moments surrounded by the serene beauty of Almaty’s landscapes and vibrant winter atmosphere.
Tour itinerary:
Arrival at Almaty International airport.
After passing border control and collecting luggage, you will meet local guide holding your nameplate.
You are going to the hotel for check-in (14:00).
Overnight at the hotel.
After passing border control and collecting luggage, you will meet local guide holding your nameplate.
You are going to the hotel for check-in (14:00).
Overnight at the hotel.
Breakfast at the hotel.
At 10:00 sightseeing tour in Almaty.
This day you will visit the city’s old center and cover one of the main sites that best highlight Almaty’s history. The first stop is Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers – named after the division during WWII, formed of men from the Almaty region under command of General Ivan Panfilov. The Park itself is popular among locals and guests of the city. Inside the park visitors will find the eternal flame, memorials of different heroic characters, the Ascension Cathedral – Russian Orthodox wooden church that magically withstood a strong earthquake in XX century, and Museum of musical instruments (closed on Monday), where you can admire the collection over 1000 exhibits including rare exhibits dating back to XVII century.
Just in a walking distance, you can enjoy another touristic attraction of Almaty – “Green Bazaar” (closed on Monday) or Green market. This is a perfect way to experience the true Eastern market, where you can find main delicacies of different nations living in Kazakhstan.
Then we stop for lunch at local restaurant (not included).
14:30 Transfer to the Shymbulak Ski Resort.
We will take a cable car ride up to the eco-hotel Tenir, situated at the highest point of the resort, perched at an elevation of 3,200 meters above sea level amidst the majestic peaks of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain range.
(As we arrive to take the cable car, a hotel staff member will greet us and assist with your luggage).
Check in at 15:30 and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views and immerse yourself in the serene mountain atmosphere.
Free time. Guide leaves you here.
You have the choice to purchase a ski package and experience the thrill of the slopes, or simply unwind and take in the breathtaking mountain views. Whether you seek adventure or tranquility, the atmosphere is perfect for an unforgettable alpine retreat.
Overnight at the Tenir eco-hotel.
At 10:00 sightseeing tour in Almaty.
This day you will visit the city’s old center and cover one of the main sites that best highlight Almaty’s history. The first stop is Park of 28 Panfilov soldiers – named after the division during WWII, formed of men from the Almaty region under command of General Ivan Panfilov. The Park itself is popular among locals and guests of the city. Inside the park visitors will find the eternal flame, memorials of different heroic characters, the Ascension Cathedral – Russian Orthodox wooden church that magically withstood a strong earthquake in XX century, and Museum of musical instruments (closed on Monday), where you can admire the collection over 1000 exhibits including rare exhibits dating back to XVII century.
Just in a walking distance, you can enjoy another touristic attraction of Almaty – “Green Bazaar” (closed on Monday) or Green market. This is a perfect way to experience the true Eastern market, where you can find main delicacies of different nations living in Kazakhstan.
Then we stop for lunch at local restaurant (not included).
14:30 Transfer to the Shymbulak Ski Resort.
We will take a cable car ride up to the eco-hotel Tenir, situated at the highest point of the resort, perched at an elevation of 3,200 meters above sea level amidst the majestic peaks of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountain range.
(As we arrive to take the cable car, a hotel staff member will greet us and assist with your luggage).
Check in at 15:30 and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views and immerse yourself in the serene mountain atmosphere.
Free time. Guide leaves you here.
You have the choice to purchase a ski package and experience the thrill of the slopes, or simply unwind and take in the breathtaking mountain views. Whether you seek adventure or tranquility, the atmosphere is perfect for an unforgettable alpine retreat.
Overnight at the Tenir eco-hotel.
Important Information:
The cable car to Talgar Pass (the final station), where the Tenir Eco-Hotel is located, operates only until 16:30. Guests must ascend to the hotel before this time.
For Tenir Eco-Hotel guests, the cable car operates between Talgar Pass and Shymbulak station (where the restaurants are located) at the following times:
- From 18:00 to 19:00 (1 hour);
- From 20:00 to 20:30 (30 minutes).
Important: The cable car runs exclusively during these time slots for Tenir Eco-Hotel guests.
Guests can descend to Shymbulak station between 18:00 and 19:00 to enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants and return to the Tenir Eco-Hotel via cable car at 20:00.
On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the resort offers evening skiing. On these days, the SYN 32 restaurant at Talgar Pass will remain open into the evening. Guests can choose to dine at the SYN 3.2. restaurant or descend to Shymbulak station to explore additional dining options.
Breakfast at SYN 32 (from 10:00 to 11:30), a delightful culinary experience with breathtaking mountain views and an inviting atmosphere. Perched at 3200 meters on Talgar Pass, this restaurant at the Shymbulak Ski Resort combines gourmet dishes with the charm of the majestic Zailiyskiy Alatau peaks, creating an unforgettable start to your day.
At 11:00 Check out and hotel staff will help you with your luggage.
Take cable car to to Medeu station and meet your guide and driver.
Start of the city tour.
Visit Republic Square – main square of Almaty, an open space place to enjoy the culture of the city. Just next to the square, you can walk to City Hall, the Monument of Independence, Presidential Palace.
Visiting the Central Museum (closed in Tuesdays) in Almaty, a living repository of Kazakhstan's rich history and culture. Within its halls, centuries mysteriously intertwine, revealing the secrets of ancient civilizations and the cultural treasures of the people. From ancient artifacts to contemporary art, each exhibit is a window into the past and present of this remarkable country.
Today’s last stop is Kok Tobe Park – located at an altitude of 1100 meters on the green hill, this place is very popular among locals and tourists. Take a ride on comfortable cable car and within 10 minutes, you are admiring the magnificent panoramic view of the city.
Meals: breakfast
At 11:00 Check out and hotel staff will help you with your luggage.
Take cable car to to Medeu station and meet your guide and driver.
Start of the city tour.
Visit Republic Square – main square of Almaty, an open space place to enjoy the culture of the city. Just next to the square, you can walk to City Hall, the Monument of Independence, Presidential Palace.
Visiting the Central Museum (closed in Tuesdays) in Almaty, a living repository of Kazakhstan's rich history and culture. Within its halls, centuries mysteriously intertwine, revealing the secrets of ancient civilizations and the cultural treasures of the people. From ancient artifacts to contemporary art, each exhibit is a window into the past and present of this remarkable country.
Today’s last stop is Kok Tobe Park – located at an altitude of 1100 meters on the green hill, this place is very popular among locals and tourists. Take a ride on comfortable cable car and within 10 minutes, you are admiring the magnificent panoramic view of the city.
Meals: breakfast
Breakfast at the hotel.
07:30 Departure from Almaty to Charyn Canyon (200 km one way).
Why is it so early? It allows maximum coverage of both canyons and the viewing platforms. Regular bus tour includes visit to Valley of Castles only, whereas our Jeep tour covers, at least, four more breathtaking places that capture your imagination in the canyons.
Panoramic site - Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon.
We leave the cars in the parking lot at the descent into the canyon of Valley of Castles. Take a bottle of drinking water and let’s walk down into the gorge. It is a leisurely trek with some stops (50 minutes) at the Charyn river (2 km one way). The tour guide tells you about the differences of Charyn. A short stop (15 minutes) at the river in the shade of trees, you can photograph there and then we return back to the cars (1 hour since it is uphill). 10 min. break beside the cars and then leaving to discover other fascinating landscapes.
Lunch at the local restaurant Tary.
Departure to Lunar Canyon.
Lunar canyon abounds with streams and small waterfalls. The road to the river is full of small rocky obstacles. After visiting the canyon, we visit a view point - Lunar Canyon panorama, top view. Passages are carried out on dirt roads, sometimes there are obstacles, surmountable by car with large clearance only. Descent inside the Canyon and 20 min. stop to walk around.
Visiting the location - Stone shelf (12 km), location - Napoleon (4 km), location - Austrian view (2 km). After exploring the area, we head back to the parking and drive back to Almaty city.
Total distance: 520 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch
07:30 Departure from Almaty to Charyn Canyon (200 km one way).
Why is it so early? It allows maximum coverage of both canyons and the viewing platforms. Regular bus tour includes visit to Valley of Castles only, whereas our Jeep tour covers, at least, four more breathtaking places that capture your imagination in the canyons.
Panoramic site - Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon.
We leave the cars in the parking lot at the descent into the canyon of Valley of Castles. Take a bottle of drinking water and let’s walk down into the gorge. It is a leisurely trek with some stops (50 minutes) at the Charyn river (2 km one way). The tour guide tells you about the differences of Charyn. A short stop (15 minutes) at the river in the shade of trees, you can photograph there and then we return back to the cars (1 hour since it is uphill). 10 min. break beside the cars and then leaving to discover other fascinating landscapes.
Lunch at the local restaurant Tary.
Departure to Lunar Canyon.
Lunar canyon abounds with streams and small waterfalls. The road to the river is full of small rocky obstacles. After visiting the canyon, we visit a view point - Lunar Canyon panorama, top view. Passages are carried out on dirt roads, sometimes there are obstacles, surmountable by car with large clearance only. Descent inside the Canyon and 20 min. stop to walk around.
Visiting the location - Stone shelf (12 km), location - Napoleon (4 km), location - Austrian view (2 km). After exploring the area, we head back to the parking and drive back to Almaty city.
Total distance: 520 km
Meals: breakfast, lunch
Price includes:
- 3 nights’ Hotel accommodation on BB as per chosen category (DBL/TWN shared) in Almaty;
1 night at Tenir Eco-hotel on BB (Only DBL) in Shymbulak Ski Resort. - All airport transfers;
- Meals: 4 Breakfasts, 1 lunch at Charyn Canyon;
- Private A/C transport with driver as per program:
- 2 pax – sedan up to 3 seats;
- 3-6 pax – minivan up to 10 seats. - Jeep Tour to Charyn Canyon (Toyota Land Cruiser/Similar) 3/5 pax in a car;
- Entertaining program at ethno-village;
- English - speaking guide;
- Entrance fees to sites listed;
- Ecological fees;
- "Help with baggage" service at Tenir hotel;
- "Multipass" (three full ascents by cable car to the highest point - Talgar Pass, where the eco hotel
- Tenir is located at 3,200 meters above sea level, and three full descents);
- Mineral water 1 L p/p daily.
Price doesn't include:
- International air tickets;
- Meals: Full board;
- Any services not included in the above itinerary.
Recommendations when planning your trip:
- Museums in Almaty and Green Bazaar are closed on Mondays;
- Temperature is different in and outside the city; therefore, warm clothes are needed when travel outside.
Important:
- Some changes are allowed in the program, except reduction of number of booked excursions;
- In case place of visit is closed to visitors it will be replaced with an alternative. During big events proposed accommodation may be changed and replaced with a similar category;
- Sequence of itinerary and hotels given is subject to change without prior notice;
- Hotel booking is subject to availability. No reservations are made before confirmation and 100% prepayment received from client;
- Domestic flights are subject to change in timing and availability. If mentioned flight is not available, it will be changed to convenient one, depending on tour program;
- Proposed hotels are not available; it will be substituted with another hotel of same category.
Prices, per person
Prices are for 2025 in US$ per person, with discounted prices for larger groups available on request.
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