The 15 Best Medeu and Shymbulak Tours in Almaty

1.City tour and Medeu, Shymbulak and Kok-Tobe

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 163 reviews · 11 hours · from $49Our pick

Spend a full day seeing Almaty from several angles, from the 1,691-meter Medeu rink and 842-step Health Staircase to Shymbulak’s cable cars, Green Bazaar, Zenkov Cathedral, and Kok-Tobe hill. English and Russian guides such as Alina, Dilnaz, Zhanna, and Zhibek lead the day. Expect a busy schedule, mountain weather, and plenty of city context.

“The tour was amazing ! Our tourguide Alina had a reall good knowledge and gave us a lot of information. For every question she was available for answer. The tour was fantastic. Recommended !! Thank you very much for the amazing tour Alina. All the best !”

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2.Almaty city tour and Medeu-Shymbulak-Koktobe-Green Bazar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 65 reviews · from $49

Start at 8:00 am from Abay Avenue for a full-day Almaty outing covering Medeu, Shymbulak, Panfilov Park, Green Bazaar, Zenkov Cathedral, and Kok-Tobe. An English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle are included. Shymbulak cable-car access is listed as optional, while Kok-Tobe entry is included.

“This tour was a great way to see Almaty in a day. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. The sites are a bit underwhelming though, but the tour itself was very well organized.”

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3.Medeu and Shymbulak ski resort private excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 30 reviews · from $147Top rated

Visit Medeu skating rink, then ride cable cars through the Trans-Ili Alatau to Shymbulak at 3,200 meters. This private half-day trip includes hotel pickup, transport, a guide, water, taxes, and entrance fees. Guide Nursultan is praised for clear explanations and careful help in the cold mountain air. Skiing, skating, and lunch cost extra.

“It was a wonderful trip to Shimbulak and the guide was so helpful in all the ways. My kids had never done skiing, there we have the opportunity to learn with proper instructors. Kids confidently did skiing within 10 minutes which is really appreciable.”

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4.Private Trip to Medeu Ice Skating Rink and Shymbulak Ski Resort

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · from $215

Spend about seven hours in the mountains above Almaty with a private guide-driver, visiting Medeu Ice Skating Rink, climbing the Stairs of Health to its dam, and riding cable cars to Shymbulak and the 3rd station. Miras is one guide named in past bookings. Transport, water, and tickets are included, but skating, skiing, and meals cost extra.

“We are a family of 3 with a 19 month old baby. We booked this tour for Sunday June 16th and no one showed up!! We tried contacting the tour operator the day before and nobody responded, nor did they try to contact us and tell us if there was any problem. Our money is GONE!”

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5.Almaty city & Shymbulak tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $40Best value

Spend about nine hours seeing Almaty from two angles: high above the Tien Shan at Shymbulak Ski Resort and down in the city’s squares, markets, and historic streets. An English-speaking guide, air-conditioned minibus, and bottled water are included. You pay extra for the cable car and lunch. Guide Tim has earned special praise for clear explanations and good timekeeping.

“Ski resort was excellent as was lunch. We had a really great guide too. Didn’t need as long around the city. I’d recommend this tour for the reaort”

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6.Shymbulak, Medeu, Kok Tobe, Cathedral Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 8 hours · from $128

See Almaty’s mountain highlights at your own pace with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and private transport. Ride toward all three levels of Shymbulak, stop at Medeu, take in Kok Tobe’s city views, and visit Zenkov Cathedral. Cable-car tickets and lunch cost extra unless selected.

“Excellent your guide Noor. Very understanding and helpful . Patiently explained all the sights and the history. Told us a lot about the city . Became a friend .. very very good service she provided us .”

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7.Almaty city tour. Shymbulak, Koktobe, Green market, Park 28 Panfilov’s guardsmen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $60

Spend about six hours seeing Almaty’s mountain views and central sights with a small group of up to 15. Ride toward Shymbulak, visit Koktobe Hill, walk through Panfilov Park, see Ascension Cathedral, and browse Green Bazaar. Guides including Gulzat, Gulzhat, Lana, and Diana are noted for clear explanations and thoughtful service.

“Kazia Tour made our trip unforgettable with their knowledge, organization, and friendly approach. Gulzat shared fascinating insights, took us to hidden gems, and handled everything smoothly. Highly recommended for anyone wanting a stress-free and enriching travel experience!”

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8.Almaty city, Medeu, Shymbulak, Green Bazaar,Panfilov & Cathedral

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · from $44

Start at 8:00 am for a six-hour Almaty outing that pairs mountain air with city sights. Ride toward Shymbulak at 3,200 meters, visit Medeu, Republic Square, Panfilov Park, Ascension Cathedral, and Green Bazaar. An English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, and bottled water are included. Cable car tickets and lunch cost extra.

“Assem was a wonderful guide, very informative and professional. We both had an enjoyable day and learned a lot about Almaty.”

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9.Group: Medeu, Shymbulak, Cathedral, 28’s park, Market, Koktobe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $70

Spend 6 to 8 hours exploring Almaty with an English-speaking guide such as Aseem, Adam, or Yerkhin. Visit Medeu, ride toward Shymbulak, see Ascension Cathedral and Panfilov Park, sample the Green Bazaar, and finish at Koktobe. Cable cars, lunch, and the Koktobe shuttle cost extra.

“We had a fantastic time travelling with Adam on this trip. His kindness, knowledge about all the places and flexibility, really impressed us. Keep up the good work.”

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10.Medeu, Shymbulak, and Koktobe Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 8 reviews · 13 hours · from $90

Spend 13 hours exploring Almaty with a guide such as Star or Anel, from the high-altitude Medeu rink and Shymbulak cable car to Koktobe Hill, Zenkov Cathedral, Green Bazaar, and the Central State Museum. Admission and transfers are included, while lunch is paid separately.

“The guide 'Star' was very much familiar with history of all the locations visited. she is very friendly and guiding us well. being with her felt like a safe and joyful journey throughout the day. I would like to visit Almaty and book this trip again. Would like to recommend to others as well..! Good luck to Star, she is doing very well.”

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11.VIP Shymbulak, Alma-Arasan, Central Mosque & Cathedral ChurchTour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $120

Spend 9 to 10 hours with a private guide and SUV visiting Shymbulak, Alma-Arasan Gorge, the Central Mosque, and Ascension Cathedral. Cable-car views, mountain air, hot springs, and two major religious buildings make this a broad first look at Almaty. Guide Erasyl has been praised for punctual service, strong English, photography, and clear local insight.

“Overall it was a good experience and guide was ver friendly. The itinerary plan shared was intact and followed the same.”

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12.Private: Shymbulak, Medeu, Koktobe, Cathedral, 28’s park, Bazar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $135

See Almaty from mountain heights and city streets on a private 6 to 8 hour tour with hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, bottled water, and car transport. Adam or Yerkin can lead you to Medeu, Shymbulak, Kok Tobe, Ascension Cathedral, Panfilov Park, and a bazaar. Cable cars, lunch, and some attraction fees cost extra.

“I had a great to tour with Adam. Very professional and friendly. He will take care of you like a friend. He is very polite and humble. He has a very good knowledge on local history and places. Also he has very commendable English speaking skill. Will recommend to my contacts to book this tour again.”

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13.Experience Almaty, Medeu, shymbulak resort and Kok-tobe

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $185

This private Almaty day tour links the high-altitude Medeu skating rink, Shymbulak ski resort at 3,200 meters, and Kok Tobe Park. Your English-speaking guide provides city pickup, transport, bottled water, and both cable-car rides. You get mountain air, broad views, free time, and a lunch break, but lunch itself is extra.

“We did see Shimbaluk and Medeu and Kok Tobe. The lifts to the mountains provided stunning views. But the driver was basically only a driver- an hour late; not prepared with tickets for Kok Tobe so we had to wait while he picked up the tickets. And unlike our other tours he didn’t give us any information.”

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14.Shymbulak to Bogbanovisch Glacier and Oktabriskaya Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $110

Ride the cable car from Medeu to Shymbulak, then walk 2 km each way toward Bogdanovich Glacier and Oktyabrskaya Cave. An English-speaking guide, helmet, poles, shoe spikes, and a sitting pad are included. Viktor is known for helping beginners. Bring lunch, snacks, and water.

“One of the best experiences ive ever had! Truly amazing. Viktor our guide was very helpful and helped us as beginners to hiking.”

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15.Medeu and Shymbulak + Big Almaty Lake and Falcon show (Private day-tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $218

You’ll leave Almaty at 7:00 a.m. with a private guide, often Nursultan, for Medeu, a cable-car ride at Shymbulak, Big Almaty Lake, and Sunkar Falcon Farm. The 7 to 9-hour trip includes transport, water, guide service, and entry tickets. Lunch is extra, and the route can be adjusted to suit your group.

“Nursultan was great and the trip was good overall! He was attentive and flexible. Give good suggestions!”

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