+7 776 111 73 00
+7 776 111 73 00
Private Almaty City Tour: From the Mountains to the Historical Center
Half-day tour
from 42 000 tg
Car tour
Book an Almaty sightseeings tour
Leave your contacts so we could contact you and choose the right day and time for the tour
About the Almaty sightseeings tour
Excursion to Shymbulak and Medeo
We invite you on a journey through the city's most iconic and delightful sites, each with its own unique history and atmosphere. Almaty impresses with its diverse cultural and natural attractions.
Learn the history of the southern capital, stroll through ancient streets, or hike to the mountain peaks. Choose the route that's right for you!
Learn the history of the southern capital, stroll through ancient streets, or hike to the mountain peaks. Choose the route that's right for you!
Shymbulak ski resort
Shymbulak ski resort in January. We start our city tour from this place. Its wonderful in any season. You can see snow hill even in summer
Itinerary
Duration: 4-5 hours. This tour can start before/after lunch. We recommend starting between 9:00 and 9:30.
Meeting at the hotel - 9.00
We will meet you at your hotel or other address in the city center.
Medeu - 10:00
The first attraction is the famous high-altitude skating rink at an altitude of 1,691 meters. It is the largest ice complex of its kind in the world. Medeu is closed for renovations until the end of 2027, but the ravine itself, with its dam and views of the gorge, is open and included in our route.
Shymbulak - 10:30
A ski resort offering picturesque views of the Ile-Alatau National Park.
We'll ascend by cable car, which offers breathtaking views of the Medeu skating rink and majestic mountain landscapes.
We'll ascend by cable car, which offers breathtaking views of the Medeu skating rink and majestic mountain landscapes.
Panfilov Street - 13:00
The city's main pedestrian street, it's a youth hub with a vibrant urban scene. Here you'll discover the work of local artists and musicians. It's here that the city's unique architecture has been preserved.
Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen - 12:00
We'll visit the Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, the city's historic center. It contains iconic sites such as the Glory Memorials honoring soldiers who died in the war and the majestic Cathedral, a masterpiece of wooden construction.
Green Bazaar - 12:30
Place, where a variety of flavors and aromas awaits. This is a great opportunity to discover Kazakh cuisine and buy unique souvenirs. You can sample traditional Eastern sweets and try unique products such as mare's and camel's milk.
Please note that the Green Bazaar is closed on Mondays.
Please note that the Green Bazaar is closed on Mondays.
Tout ending - 14.00
We'll end our route in the city center, at your discretion. For example, at a Kazakh restaurant, the Green Bazaar, or your nearby hotel.
Price for the trip
✅ The price includes: guide, comfortable transportation, hotel pick-up
❌ Not included: cable car tickets
If you would like a longer tour or want to change the content of this one, we offer the following attractions:
- First President's ParkThis is the new part of the city. Our business center. Here we'll take some photos. We'll head to the observation deck in the park, but we'll take our time (one hour).
- National Central Museum of Kazakhstan Republic
This museum features exhibits on the history and culture of Kazakhstan, including displays on traditional crafts, ancient artifacts, and contemporary art. A tour of the museum takes 40 minutes or more.
- Independence SquareThe history of modern independent Kazakhstan begins here. You'll see the Independence Monument and the Golden Man statue.
- Kok-tobe
A green hill located on the outskirts of the city offers stunning panoramic views of Almaty. Restaurants, souvenir shops, and other attractions are located here.
We can also take a cable car to the top.
What should you take with to Almaty city tour?
-
Cash -
Take warm clothes – it's 7°C colder in the mountains -
Sunglasses and SPF cream.
Photo of Almaty sightseeings
Almaty guide. What to do in Almaty?
If you have any questions about how to spend your time in Almaty, check out our city guide, which contains the best ideas and itineraries.
https://kaziatour.kz/things-to-do-in-almaty
https://kaziatour.kz/things-to-do-in-almaty
Other Tours in Almaty
Explore top excursions in Almaty city - architecture, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
Free cancelation policy
Free cancelation of tour is available until 24 hours before your tour starts
Read our 230+ 5* reviews on TripAdvisor, Viator and GetYourGuide
- DenisUK
★★★★★
Best guide for the dest tour
Gulzat is a true master of her craft! The tour was not only informative but also incredibly engaging. Her ease of communication, attention to detail, and genuine love for history made this day unforgettable. Thank you for the inspiration and emotions!
- Iwonaapril 2025★★★★★
Gulzat is an excellent guide and a great travel companion. Very friendly, communicative, with a great command of English and Russian, with profound knowledge of culture and history. She was very helpful to organize a traditional dinner with folk music for our group of 30 people. Excellent service! Very professional in her business conduct. I recommend her services without any hesitations. - Lisamay 2025★★★★★
Walking tour
We booked a walking tour with Gulzat for the start of our 10-day holiday in Kazakhstan and it was a great call. Gulzat showed us a lot of Almaty's history as we walked through the beautiful park, helped us buy various items to try at the Green Bazaar, and introduced us to so many delicious Kazakh dishes over a bountiful lunch. Thanks Gulzat for setting us up for a great trip in your gorgeous country!
Frequently Asked Questions
The sightseeing tour of Almaty begins with hotel pickup in a comfortable vehicle. You will visit the Shymbulak ski resort, take a cable car up to 3,200 meters, from where you can see the Medeu skating rink and the mountain peaks. The program also includes the historical part of the city, a pedestrian street, the Park of the 28 Panfilov Heroes with the Cathedral, and the Green Bazaar. The tour lasts approximately 5 hours, includes a guide and transportation, and is suitable for families with children and elderly tourists.
Almaty is the cultural capital of Kazakhstan. A tour of Almaty allows you to see the cultural and historical heart of the city in just one day. You will explore 19th-20th century architecture, learn the city’s history from its founding, visit monuments from the Soviet era such as the Park of the 28 Panfilov Heroes, and admire masterpieces of wooden architecture like the Cathedral. The excursion combines natural mountain beauty (the scenic Shymbulak and Medeu) with the urban atmosphere, traditions, and markets, including the Green Bazaar, where you can try mare’s milk and camel milk.
The walking tour, unlike the standard sightseeing tour, takes approximately 2–3 hours. We will visit a historic cathedral that is over 100 years old, the Green Bazaar, parks, the Arbat, and much more. Along the way, we will make short stops for rest and photos. We will walk through the central districts of Almaty, combining historical landmarks, cultural sites, and modern urban spaces.
For a comfortable and safe tour of Almaty, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes with good traction for walking and possible climbs on the Shymbulak cable car. Bring a light jacket or windbreaker, as the weather in the mountains can change quickly. Don’t forget sunglasses and water, especially in summer. For children, bring a spare snack and sunscreen; for the elderly – medications if necessary.
A sightseeing tour of Almaty is possible and enjoyable at any time of the year. In summer and spring, you can enjoy greenery, blooming parks, and clear mountain views, while in winter, the snowy landscapes of Shymbulak and the Medeu skating rink create a true winter fairy-tale atmosphere. In spring and autumn, the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists, making the walk more comfortable. Regardless of the season, the tour is safe and suitable for children and the elderly.
For the car tour: we pick you up from your hotel. For the walking tour: we meet at the Cathedral or another convenient point in the city center
It is always 5–10 degrees colder at Medeu and Shymbulak than in the city. Be sure to bring a windbreaker even in summer
1-2-3 days tours
Target tours
