Almaty Short Break
Three nights in Almaty: the Shymbulak gondola, Big Almaty Lake, Kok Tobe and a day trip to Charyn Canyon.
Trip at a glance
- Duration4 days / 3 nights
- Starts inAlmaty
- RouteAlmaty
- Places1 destination
- CountryKazakhstan
- Ideal forCouples' holidays, Group tours
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-ZLXAF3
Best time to visit: May to September for lakes and canyons; December to March for snow




Trip overview
Three nights in Almaty: the Shymbulak gondola, Big Almaty Lake, Kok Tobe and a day trip to Charyn Canyon.
The route spends 3 nights in Almaty, so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits couples' holidays and group tours, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Almaty
- Arrive via Almaty International Airport (ALA) and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: Big Almaty Lake: Turquoise mountain lake above the city
Day 2Almaty: Shymbulak and Charyn Canyon
- Shymbulak: Ski resort and gondola at 3,200 m
- Charyn Canyon: Red-rock canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon
Day 3Almaty: Kolsai and Kaindy lakes and Medeu
- Kolsai and Kaindy lakes: Alpine lakes, one with a sunken forest
- Medeu: High-altitude skating rink
Day 4Depart from Almaty
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to Almaty International Airport (ALA) for your journey home
How this version is planned
- One or two bases only
- Easy arrival-day plans after the journey
- The main sights first, with free time to finish
- A relaxed pace with two-night stays where possible
- One special dinner or experience suggested at each stop
This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.
Good to know
- Almaty: Plan an overnight near Kolsai rather than doing the lakes and canyon in one long day.
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