Hiking to the Touyuk-Su glacier is a great opportunity to reach an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level and see the largest glacier in the region in 1 day, having started from Almaty in the morning. The length of the walking part of the route in this hike is longer than in the hike to the Bogdanovich glacier, where you reach an altitude of 3,200 meters by cable car. But the views and historical places that you visit on the way to Touyuk-Su are worth the long walk: the oldest weather station Mynzhylki, the half-ruined glaciological station T1 with wild yaks grazing under piles, moraine lakes of neighboring glaciers and incredible panoramas of the highest peaks of the Touyuk-Su cirque..
Almaty is surrounded by mountains - if you are an active traveler and hiking enthusiast, do not miss the opportunity to find yourself at an altitude of 3500 meters surrounded by glaciers, in just 1 day
We take care of your safe hike and smooth logistics: pick you up in the city, transfer you comfortably to Medeo and further to the end of the road, where the hiking part starts. Professional mountain guide follows you all the day and does his best for you to have a great glacier experience. All you need is just be dressed appropriately and ready for a challenge!
Along the route you will have the opportunity to see the oldest weather station in Kazakhstan and the first mudflow protection dam built in the 1930s. Walk around the ruins of the T1 glaciological station - an island of Soviet scientific heritage in the Tien Shan Mountains. See the largest glacier in the region, which supplies water to the city of Almaty.
The tour is organized on request and only for you. The guide accompanying you throughout the tour will focus on your needs, interests and safety. You can fully enjoy personalized service and comfort.
What to expect
The route is available in summer / early autumn and winter (but consider winter high altitude conditions - you will need appropriate warm boots and clothes). In spring and late autumn it becomes dangerous as it passes under the slopes overloaded with snow (high avalanche danger).
It is a glacier hiking tour and you must be ready for a challenge at heights of 3500 meters: long walking up and down, snow on the trail. Even in summer it may start snowing suddenly. In winter it is all covered by the deep snow and really cold.
Make sure you have appropriate hiking clothes and boots for this hike. The list is different for summer and winter seasons. It is below in the Important notes section.
If the guide notices in the morning, when meet you at a hotel, that your clothes and shoes are inappropriate for current conditions in the mountains, he/she may refuse taking care of your safety.
This tour does not include meals, snacks and water supply. Please make sure you have some snacks and water for you for a day.
We pick you up in the morning in Almaty and drive up to the Medeo skating rink. Here we take an eco-taxi to the end of the asphalt road above Shymbulak ski resort. Here the pedestrian part starts.
The route all the way follows the main grount track. You walk through so called "Touyuk-Su gates" - the narrowest place of the gorge with high vertical rocks both sides. Then pass by Mynzhylki dam with oldest kazak meteostation, locataed at a height of 3000m. Then cross a stream (this is the beginning of the river Small Almaty), move to the left side of the gorge and follow hiking up to the T1 glaciological station. Behind the station, if walk further along the path, you can find the moraine lake under Molodyozhny peak. The lake is formed by Molodyozhny glacier, "hanging" on the northern slope of the mount. The panoramas are indeed great - even on the way up to the station: stunning view of the circus of the Touyuk-Su glacier, surrounded by peaks over 4000 meters.
Hike back to the road above Shymbulak, take a taxi down to Medeo. Then drive to Almaty.
private transportation, pick up and drop off in Almaty
eco-taxi service from Medeo to the end of the road and back
Guiding
English-speaking guiding throughout the tour
Prices:
$60 per person per tour - if there are 3 people in group
$90 per person per tour - if there are 2 people in group
$180 - 1 person (individual service)
Price does
not include
accommodation (hotel), any entertainment in Almaty before/after a tour
meals, snacks, water / drinks
personal traveller’s insurance
personal expenses like souvenirs, calls etc.
rent of personal clothes, shoes/boots, hiking gear etc.
optional activities
porters for personal belongings and backpack during the tour
Important notes
We are responsible for your safety in the activities described in the tour program. Horseback riding, ATV or snowmobile rides or other similar services provided by local residents on the spot - at your discretion and under your responsibility.
Temperatures in summer in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only: - mountains, 2700m - 3600m ASL: +10..+20C degrees daytime, 0..+10C in the night. Can be cooler when raining/snowing. Temperatures in winter in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only: - mountains, 2700m - 3600m ASL: -10..-25C degrees daytime
We recommend having for this trip: - summer conditions: hiking shoes/light boots, trekking socks, long trekking pants, t-shirt with long sleeves, warm jacket (middle layer like fleece), light down jacket, raincoat, hat, gloves, peaked cap, buff, hat, sunglasses, sun protection lotion, small backpack for day hikes, trekking poles, water bottle, snacks. - winter conditions: warm high trekking boots, insulated pants, thermo-underwear top and bottom, warm jacket (midle layer like fleece), down jacket, wind/waterproof jacket, warm hat, gloves, buff, sunglasses, sun protection lotion, small backpack for day hikes, trekking poles, small thermos with hot drink, snacks.
There can be no cellular connection in certain places on the way.
This route is available in summer / early autumn and winter (but consider winter high altitude conditions - you will need appropriate warm boots and clothes - please refer to the list above). In spring and late autumn it becomes dangerous as it passes under the slopes overloaded with snow (high avalanche danger).
Walking · 5-6 hours, ↑↓ 1300m (2200m to 3500m), ↔ 17.5km 
Driving · 2 hours ↔
Guiding
Prices:
