Tours/Almaty/A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car
A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car
5.0(3)Almaty4 hours
VIATOR5.0(3)
+6 photos
At a glance
Duration
4 hours
Price from
$160 / person
Location
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 3 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Private
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
TJ Travel
Description
- will see from above the highest mountain skating ring in the world and will speak of its history
- will discuss the mud protection systems on the rivers near Almaty with the view of the first dam of this kind that saved the city in 1973 from a tremendous mud flow that was ready to ruin it.
- if the weather is clear (and its often clear in Almaty) we will get panoramic view of the whole city and far away steppes that start right behind Almaty
-Finely we will get to the altitude of 3200 m above the sea level and will admire the greatness of glaciers that seem to be at hand from the top point of the cable road. We will speak about the history of exploring of Tian-Shain and the peculiarities of this wonderful mountain chain.
- Upon your wish we can have a cup of tea or other traditional drink in authentic yurta-café with the view of Talgar gorge or if you prefer European style, there are plenty of restaurants at the second stop of the cable road – Shymbulak ski resort
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
10:00 AM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 17+)
$160
Child (ages 8–16)
$80
Infant (ages 0–7)
$100
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $280.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car
Pickup included
Itinerary
Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort
Admission not included60 min
will see from above the highest mountain skating ring in the world and will speak of its history
- will discuss the mud protection systems on the rivers near Almaty with the view of the first dam of this kind that saved the city in 1973 from a tremendous mud flow that was ready to ruin it.
- if the weather is clear (and its often clear in Almaty) we will get panoramic view of the whole city and far away steppes that start right behind Almaty
Left Talgar Gorge
Admission not included120 min
We will take a cable car ride to the Talgar pass
We will have time to take photos
Enjoy tea drinking in the traditional yurta cafe
Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort
Admission not included60 min
cable car ride back to Medeu
back to the hotel in Almaty
What's included
Included
Proffessional guide services
Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
Cable car fee
Medeu fee
Pickup Locations & Times
We will pick you up from any hotel or appartment you are stying
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
3 reviews
5
3
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Almaty
Starting price $160 is close to the typical $158 for tours of similar length in Almaty
Excurgo comparison of 311 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car take?
A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 3 stops.
How much does A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car cost?
Prices start at $160 per person for this Almaty experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $280. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 10:00 AM.
How much does A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car cost for children?
Children aged 8–16 pay from $80, adults from $160.
Can I cancel A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We will pick you up from any hotel or appartment you are stying Pickup points include ZUMMA Hotel Almaty, Park Dedeman Almaty.
What languages is A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 7 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is A private Shymbulak-Medeu on a cable car worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 3 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by TJ Travel.
Reviews(3)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
P
Powei_K
June 24, 2025 · via Viator
A Perfect Journey of Culture and Stunning Mountain Views!
這趟行程讓我對阿拉木圖有了全新的認識。Irina 是位極具深度的導遊,不僅知識豐富,也很樂意分享關於阿拉木圖的歷史、俄羅斯族與哈薩克族之間的文化融合,以及她個人的生活經驗。透過她的講解,我對這座城市與這個國家的文化背景有了更多理解。
景色更是遠超乎我的想像——搭乘方便的纜車就能輕鬆抵達海拔3200公尺的高處,俯瞰壯麗的天山山脈與冰河,而這一切竟然離市中心只有25公里!非常推薦給想要在短時間內深入了解當地文化與自然美景的旅人。
This tour gave me an entirely new perspective on Almaty. Irina is an incredibly insightful guide—knowledgeable, articulate, and generous in sharing not just the history of the city, but also the cultural blending of Russian and Kazakh communities, along with her own personal experiences living here.
The scenery was beyond anything I expected—thanks to the convenient cable car, we easily reached 3,200 meters above sea level to take in breathtaking views of the Tien Shan mountains and glaciers. And the fact that all of this is just 25 kilometers from the city center is truly mind-blowing. Highly recommended for travelers who want both cultural depth and stunning landscapes in one day.
P
Paulo_R
May 3, 2024 · via Viator
Super Worth the money! Amazing
Had a super awesome day with Maria! Maria came on time and was super knowledgeable and enthusiastic throughout the tour, she was like a long time friend! I had an amazing day at Shymbulak and is a great way to see the Tian Shan mountains! The view from the the very top feels like Switzerland and the traditional cafe in a yurt is a must! Highly recommend this tour! Thank you so much Maria!!
M
Mary_M
July 10, 2023 · via Viator
Glaciers at your feet
I came to Almaty for a business trip and I didn’t really expect anything special from these few days, but as I saw the mountains as soon as my plane landed so I decided to see them closer when I got a half day break and that was the best decision! My partners helped me to book the tour so I’m very thankful.
I was picked up from my hotel by a charming tour guide, the way by car took us about 30 min but she managed to use this time to tell me about the city (I didn’t even know that Almaty has such an interesting history!!). The mountains themselves are just stunning! By the modern cable road we easily got to the altitude of 3200m right to the very glaciers! The view and the air was absolutely unbelievable! Maria (the guide) was very attentive, friendly and her knowledge about history and culture of the region was absolutely great ! We even got a chance to drink horse milk in traditional tent of the nomads called Yurta with the Mountain View! I’ve got to know a lot about the traditions and life of this wonderful country. So it happened to be one of the best tours I’ve ever had. Highly recommended !!
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