Almaty areas: what to see in one day

1

Area 1 · 1 day

The old centre

Everything is within walking distance. Step out of Zhibek Zholy metro straight onto the Arbat, stroll along the pedestrian street to the Green Bazaar and end the day in the shady park by Ascension Cathedral.

From the apartment to the first stop: 23 min

1 Arbat Zhibek Zholy pedestrian street with buskers, artists and cafés.

walk≈ 15 min

2 Green Bazaar The city’s main market: dried fruit, spices, horse-meat kazy and the famous Aport apples.

walk≈ 7 min

3 Panfilov Park and Ascension Cathedral A shady park in the centre and a wooden cathedral said to be built without a single nail.

2

Area 2 · 1 day

Kok-Tobe and the museums

Kazakh history and contemporary art in the morning, the city from above in the evening. Save Kok-Tobe for sunset, when the lights of Almaty come on right below you.

From the apartment to the first stop: 33 min

1 Central State Museum The history of Kazakhstan from the Saka and the Golden Man to the present day.

taxi≈ 10 min

2 Almaty Museum of Arts A new museum of contemporary art: Kusama, Kiefer, Viola and Plensa’s 12-metre head at the entrance.

taxi≈ 15 min

3 Kok-Tobe A hill above the city with a TV tower and the best sunset view of Almaty.

3

Area 3 · 1 day

Medeu and Shymbulak

A mountain day: the high-altitude Medeu ice rink, then the cable car up to Shymbulak. Bring a warm jacket, as it is noticeably colder up there than in the city.

From the apartment to the first stop: 59 min

1 Medeu A high-altitude skating rink in a mountain gorge, the starting point for walks into the hills.

cable car≈ 15 min

2 Shymbulak A ski resort with viewpoints at more than three kilometres above sea level.

4

Area 4 · 1 day

Big Almaty Lake and the Botanical Garden

The turquoise mountain lake in the morning, before clouds gather over the peaks. Back in the city, spend a relaxed afternoon in the Botanical Garden.

From the apartment to the first stop: 1 h

1 Big Almaty Lake A turquoise mountain lake at 2,500 metres, an hour’s drive from the city.

taxi≈ 50 min

2 Botanical Garden A huge shady garden inside the city, with trees and plants from all over the world.

5

Area 5 · 2 days

Charyn and Kolsai

A two-day trip east. Day one: Charyn Canyon and a night in the village of Saty. Day two: the Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy with its sunken forest. Easiest with a tour or a driver.

From the apartment to the first stop: 3 h 30 min

1 Charyn Canyon The Valley of Castles: red cliffs often compared to the Grand Canyon.

tour or taxi≈ 2 h 30 min

2 Kolsai Lakes Three lakes among Tien Shan spruces, close to the sunken forest of Lake Kaindy.

6

Area 6 · 1 day

Tamgaly-Tas

A separate day trip to the Ili River: ancient petroglyphs and Buddha images carved on the rocks by the water. About three hours each way, easiest with a tour.

From the apartment to the first stop: 3 h