3-Day Private Tour Almaty: Mountains and Hidden Gorges

Three days mixing city parks, mountain cable cars, forest fishing, and a live bird of prey show

A 3-day private tour of Almaty pairs the city's urban landmarks and green spaces with mountain escapes and nature experiences outside the city. Day one takes you by cable car above Medeu Valley to Shymbulak Mountain Resort and through Gorky Park. Day two moves to Oi-Qaragai Forest Resort for fishing and forest walks. Day three covers Ayusai Gorge's waterfall hike, Alma-Arasan Gorge, and a live eagle hunting demonstration. Private transport and entrance fees are included throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Snowy Peaks and Green Parks

• Ride cable car to Shymbulak Mountain
• Enjoy panoramic mountain views
• Relax at alpine café
• Explore walking trails
• Visit Gorky Park
• Stroll tree-lined paths
• Enjoy lakeside views and café

Day 2: Forest Resort and Fishing

• Travel to Oi-Qaragai Forest Resort
• Relax in forest surroundings
• Try fishing in mountain pond
• Walk forest trails
• Rest in wooden gazebos
• Drink tea in Kazakh yurt

Day 3: Hikes and Bird Show

• Hike Ayusai Gorge to waterfall
• Walk in Alma-Arasan Gorge
• Enjoy mountain streams and forest
• Watch live bird of prey show
• See eagles, falcons, and owls

The experience

What draws people to Almaty in three days instead of one or two? The time to move between the city itself and the mountain and forest sites that sit just outside it, without rushing any of them. Day one stays mostly urban: Shymbulak Mountain Resort sits 30 minutes from the city center, reached by cable car above the Medeu Valley, with panoramic views of the Tian Shan mountains and walking trails at the top. Gorky Park fills the afternoon: a lakeside green space with tree-lined paths, paddle boats, and cafés, the kind of place locals use to step out of sightseeing mode.

Day two leaves the city entirely for Oi-Qaragai Forest Resort, a mountain retreat surrounded by pine forest. The day centers on fishing in a scenic pond (beginner-friendly, not a technical expedition) followed by forest trails, wooden gazebos, and tea in a traditional Kazakh yurt. It is the kind of day that breaks up a tour without adding strain.

Day three returns to the mountains but with different terrain: a moderately easy hike through Ayusai Gorge to a waterfall, then Alma-Arasan Gorge, a pine-forested canyon with mountain streams. The day closes with a live bird of prey show: eagles, falcons, and owls in action, falconers demonstrating their bond with the birds. It is a window into Kazakh eagle hunting tradition, not a zoo visit. Private transport moves you between all three days, and entrance fees are already paid.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• entrance fees to all sites.
• cable car tickets to Shymbulak Mountain Resort.
• parking fees throughout the three days.

Options for this experience

5 options

Private 3-day tour of Almaty: city highlights and mountainsUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English, Arabic or Chinese · No fixed timePickup is included

3-day tour for 6 peopleUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English, Arabic or Chinese · No fixed timePickup included, van

Private 3-day tour for 8 peopleUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English, Arabic or Chinese · No fixed timePickup included, Starex

See 2 more options

Private 3-day tour for 11 peopleUp to 11 per booking · Guide in English, Arabic or Chinese · No fixed timePickup included, Toyota Hice

Private 3-day tour for 19 peopleUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English, Arabic or Chinese · No fixed timePickup included, Mercedes Sprinter

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Arabic and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kite Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guide handling all transport between Almaty's center and mountain sites: no rental car or public transit navigation needed.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Arabic and Chinese.

What is Shymbulak Mountain Resort like, and how do you get there from the city?

Shymbulak sits in the Tian Shan mountains 30 minutes from central Almaty, reached by cable car that rises above Medeu Valley. At the top, walking trails, panoramic mountain views, and an alpine café let you spend as much or as little time as you want in the high air.

Is the fishing at Oi-Qaragai something a beginner can do?

Yes. Oi-Qaragai's mountain pond fishing welcomes both beginners and experienced anglers. The day is paced for relaxation (fishing, forest trails, gazebos, and tea in a yurt) not a technical outing.

What happens at the bird of prey show on day three?

The show demonstrates live eagle hunting, an ancient Kazakh tradition. Falconers work with eagles, falcons, and owls, showing the bond between handler and bird. It is a cultural experience, not a captive-animal display.

How much walking is involved in the Ayusai Gorge hike?

Ayusai Gorge is a moderately easy hike that leads to a waterfall tucked in the forest. The trail rewards you with mountain views, fresh air, and a quiet spot for photos and reflection, without technical climbing or long endurance demands.

Does the tour include meals?

Meals are not included. The tour covers private transport, entrance fees, and the air-conditioned vehicle. You choose where and what to eat during the three days.