Medeu and Shymbulak ski resort private tour from Almaty

A cable car climbs to a high altitude above sea level through the gorge.

A private tour from Almaty visits Medeu, the world-famous skating rink where hundreds of world records were set, and Shymbulak ski resort high in the Trans Ili Alatau mountains. The tour includes a cable car ride to 3,200 meters altitude with mountain views, a professional English-speaking guide, private transportation with hotel pickup, and bottled water. The whole experience runs five to seven hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Medeu and Shymbulak ski resort

• Drive to Medeu skating rink
• Explore Medeu skating rink
• Take cable car to Shymbulak ski resort
• Enjoy mountain views at Shymbulak

The experience

Medeu sits twenty minutes from Almaty city center, ringed by high peaks of the Trans Ili Alatau. The skating rink is one of the few places on earth where the thin mountain air (about 1,700 meters above sea level) gives skaters a natural advantage, and hundreds of world records have been set on its ice. You'll see the rink itself and the surrounding peaks before heading higher.

From Medeu, a cable car carries you up the gorge to Shymbulak ski resort at 3,200 meters. The ride itself is the draw: mountain peaks in snow fill the view as you rise through coniferous forest. Shymbulak is one of Asia's most modern ski resorts, and even if you don't ski, the altitude and the landscape make the stop worth the climb. Your guide handles the route and the timing, and the air-conditioned vehicle means the drive back down is comfortable.

What’s included

• Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional guide who speaks English.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• bottled water throughout the tour.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (6 to 90 years) · Child (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NEOmad

Is this one for you?Book this private tour if you want a guide to pace stops at Medeo and Shymbulak based on your interests, rather than following a fixed group itinerary.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs five to seven hours from pickup to drop-off, depending on how long you spend at each stop and traffic leaving Almaty.

What is Medeu and why is it famous?

Medeu is a skating rink at 1,700 meters altitude in the mountains near Almaty where the thin air gives skaters a speed advantage. Hundreds of world records have been set there since it opened.

Does the cable car go all the way to the top of the mountain?

The cable car lifts you to Shymbulak ski resort at 3,200 meters altitude, where the views of the surrounding peaks and the gorge below are the main attraction.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, the tour includes private transportation and pickup from your Almaty hotel, so you don't need to arrange your own way to the starting point.

What should I bring or wear?

Wear layers because the temperature drops as you climb. At 3,200 meters it will be significantly colder than in the city. Comfortable walking shoes are useful for moving around both stops.