Almaty: Medeu, Shymbulak & Kok-Tobe Day Trip with Bazar

Almaty city day trip with Medeu rink Green Bazar & Koktobe views

You’ll start your Almaty day trip shivering at Medeu’s high-altitude rink, ride up to Shymbulak for mountain air and tea, explore Panfilov Park’s wooden cathedral, and snack through Green Bazar with your guide translating flavors along the way. End at Kok-Tobe hill as dusk falls over the city—there’s something quietly unforgettable about watching Almaty light up beneath you.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by an air-conditioned vehicle, entry tickets for Kok-Tobe hilltop access plus an optional cable car ticket up to Shymbulak if you want it; a professional English-speaking guide keeps things running smoothly as you wander markets and parks before returning in the evening.

Traveler reviews

4.55★★★★★★★★★★

71 verified traveler reviews

Ratings come from travelers who booked this exact experience. We never edit or filter them.

Read all the reviews ›

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Almaty city tour and mountain sights

• Visit Medeu Ice Skating Rink
• Take cable car to Shymbulak ski resort
• Explore Panfilov Park and war memorial
• Visit Zenkov Cathedral in the park
• Shop and taste foods at Green Bazaar
• Enjoy panoramic views from Koktobe hill

The Experience

I forgot my gloves in the car right before we got to Medeu, so my first memory is fumbling with cold fingers while our guide, Aigul, grinned and handed me a spare pair. The air up there is sharper than I expected—almost sweet—and you can hear blades scraping over the ice from way before you see the rink itself. There were local kids racing each other and one older guy doing slow loops, totally unfazed by the wind. I tried to take a photo but my phone fogged up; honestly, it made me laugh.

The cable car up to Shymbulak was quieter than I thought it’d be. You just sort of float above the city and suddenly you’re in these mountains that look painted on. At the top, we grabbed tea at a café (the kind that smells faintly of pine and something buttery). Aigul pointed out the old Soviet ski lifts and told us about her dad’s stories from when he was young—she said everyone in Almaty has a Shymbulak memory. I didn’t expect to feel so… small? But safe too.

Lunch was quick—lagman noodles that tasted like someone’s grandma made them—and then we wandered Panfilov Park. There’s this hush around Zenkov Cathedral, even though it’s right in the middle of everything. The woodwork is wild; apparently not a single nail holds it together. Later at Green Bazar, I tried horse sausage (salty, chewy) and dried apricots so sweet they stuck to my teeth. The vendors kept calling out prices in Kazakh and Russian; one lady winked when I hesitated over some mystery pickles.

Kok-Tobe was our last stop. The funicular rattled a bit going up—Aigul joked it’s part of the “Kazakh massage.” At the top, everyone seemed to pause for that view: city lights starting to flicker under this huge sky, mountains fading into blue shadow behind us. I still think about standing there with sticky fingers from candied nuts and feeling like Almaty had let me peek behind its curtain for a day.

Top questions

How long does the Almaty day trip take?

The tour lasts 10–11 hours including lunch time.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No set lunch is included but there is time for lunch during the day trip.

Are entry tickets provided for Kok-Tobe?

Yes, entry tickets to Kok-Tobe are included in your tour.

Is there hotel pickup available?

The tour includes pickup service for your convenience.

Can I use public transportation after the tour?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby after finishing.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels except those with poor cardiovascular health.

Are service animals allowed on this Almaty city tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

What languages does the guide speak?

Your guide speaks English fluently throughout the day trip.