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Big Almaty Lake

Almaty, Kazakhstan

Snow peaks an hour from the city: Shymbulak, Big Almaty Lake, Kok-Tobe and the Charyn canyon

  • 4 nights / 5 days
  • Almaty 4N
  • Starts at Almaty airport
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From ₹29,999 per person

  • Shymbulak mountain resortShymbulak mountain resort
  • Charyn canyonCharyn canyon

Highlights

  • Medeu and the Shymbulak cable car into the Tien Shan mountains
  • Kok-Tobe hill by cable car with views over Almaty
  • Big Almaty Lake, turquoise in summer
  • Charyn canyon, the 'Grand Canyon of Central Asia'
  • Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and the Green Bazaar
Best time to go
May to September for lakes and canyons; December to March for snow at Shymbulak
Stay
3-star hotel
Visa
Visa-free for Indian citizens for up to 14 days. Passport valid for 6 months.
Flights
Direct return flights from Delhi usually cost ₹22,000–35,000 per person.

Day-by-day itinerary

  1. 1

    Day 1

    Arrive in Almaty

    Our team meets you at Almaty airport and takes you to your hotel. Evening walk on Arbat street.

  2. 2

    Day 2

    City tour and Kok-Tobe

    Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, Republic Square and the Green Bazaar, then the Kok-Tobe cable car at sunset.

  3. 3

    Day 3

    Medeu and Shymbulak

    Drive up to the Medeu ice rink and take the Shymbulak cable car to the snow line. Skiing or tubing can be added in winter.

  4. 4

    Day 4

    Charyn canyon or Big Almaty Lake

    Full-day trip to the Charyn canyon (in winter, or when the lake road is closed) or half day to Big Almaty Lake.

  5. 5

    Day 5

    Depart

    Breakfast and transfer to the airport.

Included

  • 4 nights in a 3-star hotel
  • Daily breakfast
  • Airport transfers
  • City tour with an English-speaking guide
  • Kok-Tobe and Shymbulak cable car tickets
  • Shymbulak and Medeu excursion (shared)

Not included

  • International flights
  • Charyn canyon / Big Almaty Lake trip (optional, about ₹4,000–6,000 per person)
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Ski equipment and lessons
  • 5% GST and TCS as per income-tax rules

Good to know

  • Indian citizens can visit Kazakhstan visa-free for up to 14 days.
  • IndiGo and Air Astana fly direct from Delhi; the flight is about 3.5 hours.
  • Indian vegetarian food is available at a few restaurants in Almaty.

What to pack

  • Passport
  • Warm jacket (it is cold in the mountains even in summer)
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Comfortable shoes

Photos: Big Almaty Lake by Nessi Gileva, CC0; Shymbulak mountain resort by Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0; Charyn canyon by Bgag, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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