Almaty City Tour: Markets, Mountains & Cultural Landmarks

From bazaar stalls to mountain peaks in a single afternoon

A private guided tour of Almaty that moves through the city's markets, parks and Orthodox cathedral, then climbs into the surrounding mountains by cable car. The itinerary is flexible—you can swap stops or add a visit to Shymbulak ski resort and the Medeu skating rink at 1,691 meters altitude. A live guide in English or Russian, private transportation, bottled water and all fees are included; lunch is your choice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Almaty city and landmarks

• Visit Green Bazar market
• Shop at Rakhat chocolate factory
• See Zenkov Ascension Cathedral
• Walk through 28 Panfilov Park
• Relax in Central Park
• Stroll down Arbat Walking Street
• Optional visit to Kok Tobe Park
• Optional visit to Shymbulak and Medeu

The Experience

Your guide picks you up and heads straight to Green Bazar, where the market sprawls across stalls of fresh produce, dried nuts, chocolate and meat products—the working heart of how Almaty eats. The fragrant smell alone tells you something about the city before you step into it. Next door sits the Rakhat chocolate factory, its shop stocked with the "Kazakhstan" bars locals buy as souvenirs. From there the route moves to Zenkov Ascension Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden structures ever built, its Orthodox interiors and carved details standing as the city's architectural anchor.

The afternoon spreads across green space: 28 Panfilov Park, where a war memorial marks Kazakhstan's WWII history, then Central Park for a walk or a paddleboat on the lake if you want to slow down. Arbat Walking Street, a pedestrian-only stretch lined with cafes and street performers, closes out the city proper. From there, the tour climbs. Kok Tobe Park sits on a hill overlooking Almaty against the Tien Shan mountains—a viewpoint for coffee and photos, with an amusement park and rope park if you're traveling with kids. If you choose the Shymbulak and Medeu option at checkout, cable cars take you higher into the peaks, past snowy slopes and ice glaciers to 3,200 meters altitude, with views down to the Medeu skating rink at 1,691 meters. The route is yours to shape: tell your guide what matters and the itinerary bends to fit.

The tour runs between five and nine hours depending on which stops you pick and how long you linger. Private transportation means no waiting for other groups, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the mountain roads. Your guide speaks English or Russian and knows each landmark well enough to answer what you actually want to know, not just recite it. Bring cash or cards for lunch—the city has everything from traditional Kazakh cuisine to world-class restaurants—and comfortable shoes for the bazaar and the parks.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• a live guide in English or Russian.
• bottled water.
• all entry fees and taxes.
• pickup from your hotel or a meeting point you choose.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NEOmad

Is this one for you?Book the standard city tour if you have a free afternoon and want to see Almaty's markets, parks and cathedral without committing to a full day in the mountains. Add Shymbulak and Medeu if you want to climb into the peaks by cable car and see the city from 3,200 meters—the route takes longer but stays private and guided the whole way.

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Top questions

What exactly is Green Bazar and what can I buy there?

Green Bazar is Almaty's main working market, a sprawl of stalls selling fresh produce, dried fruits and nuts, chocolate, dairy and meat products, and handicrafts. It is where locals shop and where you can taste authentic items and get a sense of daily city life before you move on to the monuments.

Can I visit Shymbulak and Medeu on the same day as the city tour?

Yes—Shymbulak and Medeu are an optional add-on at checkout. Cable cars take you from lower stations up through coniferous forests and snowy peaks to 3,200 meters altitude, and you'll see the Medeu skating rink from above. Both sites sit in the high mountains around Almaty, so the full route takes longer, but it is all one tour with one guide and one vehicle.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch is not included, but your guide can recommend restaurants. Almaty is known as Kazakhstan's gastronomic capital, so you can choose traditional Kazakh cuisine or world-class dining depending on what you want and how much time you have.

How high do the cable cars go at Shymbulak?

Modern cable cars at Shymbulak take you to several stations, with the highest reaching 3,200 meters altitude. You'll see snowy peaks, ice glaciers and coniferous forests covering the slopes, and the resort has cafes and restaurants at different elevations.

What is Medeu and why is it worth seeing?

Medeu is a world-famous skating rink located at 1,691 meters altitude in the mountains above Almaty. It hosts thousands of skaters in winter and festivals and events in warm season. On the Shymbulak option, you see it from the cable car or from a top viewpoint, framed against the surrounding peaks.

Do I need to be fit to do this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. If you choose the mountain option with Shymbulak and Medeu, you ride cable cars rather than hike, so altitude and fitness are not barriers. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and the vehicle is air-conditioned throughout.