Day hiking tour to Bogdanovich Glacier near Almaty
Duration · 1 DAY
Season · SUMMER / WINTER
Activity · HIKING
From USD $80
Customer reviews
⚠️ IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ BEFORE CONTACTING US This is a real mountain hike, not a sightseeing walk.
This tour is NOT suitable if you:
• are looking for a short or easy walk • expect marked trails or paved paths • do not have proper mountain clothing and footwear • have no experience walking on rocks, snow or uneven terrain • want to visit the ice cave only for photos
Bogdanovich Glacier hike involves: • altitude above 3000 m • cold temperatures (down to –25°C in winter) • strong wind and rapidly changing mountain weather • walking on moraines, snow and glacier terrain • 5–6 hours of continuous hiking
❗ The ice cave is accessible only during a short and safe winter period. It is NOT available in summer, autumn or spring due to water and ice instability.
⚠️ This tour is NOT available for next-day booking and requires advance planning. If you are unsure about your fitness, equipment or experience, this tour is not recommended. We are happy to suggest alternative hikes better suited to your expectations.
Hiking to the Bogdanovich Glacier is one of the best and most affordable ways to visit glaciers in 1 day from Almaty. Starting in the morning from the city, you reach an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level by cable car. This significantly reduces the approach time and allows you to move deeper into the glacier. The route is also available in winter - it is in the cold season that you can visit the ice cave, which has become popular in recent years - it is also called Oktyabrskaya.
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 pass. 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 an adventure!
Besides the glacier experience, you will also have an opportunity to see other mountain attractions of Almaty city - Medeo, Shymbulak ski resort. And take a famous gondola lift to the Talgarsky pass.
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 above 3200 meters. 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 a cable car, which will deliver us to the Talgarsky pass (3200m above sea level) via Shymbulak ski resort.
The trail to the Bogdanovich glacier starts at the pass and passes the zone of alpine highlands and then the zone of glaciers with almost no vegetation. In the beginning it goes along the left side of the gorge, by the ground track. Then comes to the left side moraine of the glacier. Here the path becomes almost invisible. After about 1 hour of hike, the path comes to the middle of the gorge, crossing around a large rocky ledge from the left. Then it leads to the tongue of the glacier by the right side of the mountain valley.
Along the way you will admire the views of Chkalov and Fizkulturnik peaks, covered by "hanging" glaciers called Ayak and Til. The tongue of the glacier offers a stunning panorama of the northern walls of the peaks Komsomol, Amangeldy and Pioneer.
Having reached the height of 3600 meters, we start hiking back to the pass. Take a cable car down to Medeo and then drive to the city.
private transportation, pick up and drop off in Almaty
cable car tickets Medeo - Talgarsky pass
Guiding / Safety
English-speaking guiding throughout the tour
A comprehensive group first-aid kit is carried on every tour and is always easily accessible — with the guide at all times, whether in the vehicle or in the field
All tours are continuously monitored by our coordination team. Guides maintain regular mandatory contact with the office, ensuring real-time awareness of the group’s location, progress and overall situation throughout the tour
Clear communication is a core part of our safety system. For larger groups, radio communication is used between guides, vehicles or sub-groups to ensure smooth coordination at all times
We use only our own certified technical equipment (when/if it is applicable for this tour). All gear is regularly inspected, maintained and replaced when necessary to meet safety standards and operational requirements.
Prices:
$80 per person per tour - if there are 4 people in group
$105 per person per tour - if there are 3 people in group
$125 per person per tour - if there are 2 people in group
$235 - 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, paragliding 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 (middle 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 · 4 hours, ↑↓ 400m (3200m to 3600m), ↔ 13km 
Driving · 2 hours ↔, 50 min cable car ↔ 
Guiding / Safety
Prices:
