Wonderful hikes through two different gorges near Almaty! We left our hotel and, within an hour, were already starting our trek on a mountain trail. It’s very quick and convenient for those who enjoy hiking.

Konstantin first showed us the Medeu ice rink, the Shymbulak ski resort, and then we went higher, reaching about 3,500 meters above sea level at a place called Alpine Town (Alpingrad), which offers amazing views of the mountains.

On another day, we visited the gorge where the Big Almaty Lake is located. The lake was frozen, and we did a relatively easy hike to Big Almaty Peak, which stands at 3,700 meters. It only took about three hours to reach the summit because we drove up to 3,300 meters. Nevertheless, the views in all directions were absolutely stunning.

Konstantin took great care of us over these two days, providing hot tea with lemon, sandwiches, and plenty of food for our lunch. It was an excellent experience for us!