A wonderful 3 day adventure! Almaty Circuit is probably one of the most beautiful and popular trekking routes near Almaty. You will certainly be amazed by the views and impressive change of mountain landscapes: dense coniferous forests, alpine meadows, glaciers, moraines and high passes. At the same time - simple logistics and proximity to the city. The beginning of the route is on the Talgar pass, which can be quickly reached by cable car from Medeo. The route ends at the famous Big Almaty Lake.
Route overview
Almaty - Medeo - Talgarsky pass - Left Talgar valley - Touristov glacier - Touristov pass - Big Almaty Lake - Almaty
Difficulty: ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ◊
Type: trekking / backpacking
Group size: min 1 - max 8
Get insipired
All types of unique natural landscapes of the Northern Tien Shan mountains in one trip: dense coniferous forests, huge mountain valleys with turbulent rivers, glaciers and snow-capped peaks, alpine highlands and Big Almaty Lake.
Proximity to Almaty, simplified logistics without long drives. Start immediately from a height of 3200 meters, where we arrive by cable car.
Your unforgettable trekking experience in truly wild and untouched nature under the leadership of a team with internationally recognized achievements. We have been leading hikes since 2005.
High safety standards: private transfers, experiences drivers, professional mountain guides, continuous tracking of group movements with GPS SPOTs, emergency connection at any point, first aid kits, approved rescue criteria and procedures
This tour is organized on request and only for you. Our guides accompanying you throughout the tour will focus on your needs, interests and safety. You can fully enjoy personalized service and comfort.
What to expect
Trekking in Kazakhstan is very different from trekking in the Himalayas or the Alps. The trekking infrastructure in the Northern Tien Shan mountains - where we are - is still very poorly developed. In most places located within a day's walk from Almaty, there are no trails, no huts or guest houses, no shops or cafes, no signs and cellular coverage. This is truly undeveloped terrain, with only wild nature around.
When going on a hike in the Zailiysky Alatau (these are the mountains around Almaty, one of the two ridges of the Northern Tien Shan), you should be aware that most of the time you will be completely cut off from civilization and moving along unprepared paths, and sometimes even off the trails.
Since there are no huts or guest houses along the way, all overnight stays will be in tents, which will be carried with the group.
This is a real multi-day trekking with backpacks. You should expect 5-7 hours of walking up/down by different terrain each day. With no trails. With backpacks. We do not provide porters for personal stuff like clothes, boots, sleeping bag, mat etc. If you do not specifically ask for porters for personal belongings (which is generally possible for an extra charge), then please make sure you can pack all your hiking gear into your backpack and will be able to carry it all the way.
Standard service package includes porters for the camping stuff only: porters carry tents, food, gas, portable kitchen gear.
How meals are organised: guides cook and serve breakfasts and dinners at the camps. Lunch is always on the way in a form of a picnic.
Day 1 · Almaty - Medeo - Talgarsky Pass - Left Talgar - camp 1
In the morning we pick you up in the city and drive to Medeo, from where take the famous gondola lift from an altitude of 1600 meters straight to the snow zone, accompanied by breathtaking views of the northern ridge of the Zailiysky Alatau.
Having reached the Talgar Pass (3200 meters), briefly admire the glaciers and the grandeur of the surrounding mountains. Then we pack our rucksacks and begin the descent from the pass.
After a gentle 400-meter descent the path leads to the slopes of the Left Talgar gorge, where a real adventure begins: a steep descent through mountain meadows and spruce forest to the height of 2200m. It will take about two hours; all this time you can enjoy the views of a huge mountain valley.
Then, after a short break and lunch, we begin the ascent along the gorge, overcoming numerous streams and river alluviums through a pine forest - for about 1.5 hours. A hospitable glade with a crystal clear spring awaits us; here - in a safe place - we set a tent camp. Take dinner and stay overnight at a height of 2450m.
Meals · lunch, dinner
Accommodation· tent camping at 2450m
Walking· 4 hours, ↓ 1000m (3200m to 2200m),↑ 250m (2200m to 2450m), ↔ 5km
Driving· 1.5 hours
Day 2 · Camp 1 - foot of Touristov pass (camp 2)
Waking up from the trills of birds and the noise of the mountain river, after breakfast we continue the ascent along the gorge. The path runs through dense forest, interspersed with open rocky sections of river outcrops. We smoothly get to an altitude of 2750 - this is the upper boundary of the forest - and overcome a difficult stony section (no special equipment required).
After a break and lunch, we hike up a gentle slope, which will lead us to the beginning of the glacier zone. Here, under the moraine of the Touristov glacier - at a height of 3350m - we set a tent camp. Take dinner and stay overnight.
After a delicious breakfast, we start the ascent to the Touristov pass 3960m along the moraine, with a view of the mighty Touristov glacier. It may take about 3-4 hours, considering the altitude.
From the pass a stunning view of surrounding peaks over 4000 meters, huge glaciers and mountain rivers running from the steep slopes opens up.
After a break we begin a descent along a comfortable path to the pearl and famous attraction of Almaty region - the Big Almaty Lake located at a height of 2550 m.
From the Lake, we follow down asphalt road along the Big Almaty Gorge. And finally come back to civilization, Almaty city.
Meals · breakfast, lunch
Walking · 6 hours, ↑ 600m (3350m to 3960m), ↓ 1400m (3960m to 2550m), 12km
Driving · 2 hours
Service and prices
Transfers
transfer Almaty city - Medeo, Big Almaty Gorge - Almaty city
cable car tickets Medeo – Talgarsky pass for all group members
Accommodation
tent camping for 2 nights: we provide double/triple living tents, portable kitchen gear, gas and trekking utensils
Meals
3 lunches, 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts. Guides are cooking.
Guiding / safety
Professional mountain guides
Porters for the group's gear (tents, food, gas, portable kitchen equipment/stoves)
Safety: GPS-monitoring, group's first aid kit, emergency connection
National Parks entry fees
Ile-Alatau NP fees
Prices:
$435 per person per tour - if there are 4-8 people in group
$450 per person per tour - if there are 3 people in group
$485 per person per tour - if there are 2 people in group
$790 - 1 person (individual service)
Price does
not include
rent of personal trekking clothes, boots and gear (sleeping bag/mat, backpack, poles)
porters for personal belongings including clothes, shoes, sleeping bag and mat
trekking menu does not include soft/alcohol drinks, beverages
international flights to/out Almaty
any visa/migration issues, fees and support, if applicable
accommodation (hotel), meals and any entertainment in Almaty before/after a tour
airport/train/bus station meetings/transfers
personal traveller’s and trekker’s insurance
personal expenses like souvenirs, calls etc.
Important notes
We are responsible for your safety on this particular route and only if you strictly follow all the instructions of the guide. The guide will not be responsible for your safety and life if you change the route arbitrarily, do not follow the schedule or do not fulfill the stated safety requirements.
The cost of the tour is based on shared tent accommodation. Single accommodation is possible for an additional fee.
This route goes along the border zone (near the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan). No special passes/permits are required, but each participant must have an original passport. Along the way, particularly in the area of Big Almaty Lake, you may encounter border guards who will ask to see documents.
Let us know in advance if you have any specific food requirement (like vegetarian menu or food allergies).
We do not provide water for a tour. Please take a bottle or a flask with water on the first day morning with you. You will be able to refill it during a tour in clear sources.
Temperatures in summer in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only: - foothhills, 1000m - 1600m ASL: +20..+35C degrees daytime, +10..+25C in the night - mountains, 1700m - 2700m ASL: +15..+25C degrees daytime, +5..+15C in the night. Can be cooler when raining. - mountains, 2700m - 3600m ASL: +10..+20C degrees daytime, 0..+10C in the night. Can be cooler when raining/snowing.
We recommend having for this trek: high hiking boots, high trekking socks, long trekking pants, t-shirts with long and short sleeves, thermo-underware top and bottom, warm jacket (like thick fleece), wind/waterproof costume (raincoat and pants), down jacket, peaked cap, buff, sunglasses, sun protection lotion, hat, gloves, headlamp, water bottle or flask, backpack of 45-60 liters, personal hygienic set, personal first aid kit, trekking poles, sleeping bag (comfy for -10C degrees), sleeping mat.
Standard service package / price includes porters for the group gear ONLY (they do not carry your personal stuff like clothes, shoes, sleeping bag etc.). You can ask for a porter for your belongings for additional fee. If you need it, let us know in advance. If you do not take a separate porter for your personal stuff, then please make sure you pack all your trekking gear into your backpack and you are able to carry it all the way.
There will be no cellular connection on the route and no places to charge your devices.
In early June there can be ticks in the forests and bushes. If you come in June, then please do not forget to take anti-tick repellent, or also treat your hiking shoes/clothes in advance.
Meals · lunch, dinner 
Accommodation · tent camping at 2450m
Walking · 4 hours, ↓ 1000m (3200m to 2200m),↑ 250m (2200m to 2450m), ↔ 5km
Driving · 1.5 hours 
Guiding / safety
Prices:
