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Tours/Almaty/Almaty city & Shymbulak tour

Almaty city & Shymbulak tour

4.9(29)Almaty9 hours
VIATOR4.5(4)TRIPADVISOR4.9(25)
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
+6 photos
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour
Almaty city & Shymbulak tour

At a glance

Duration
9 hours
Price from
$40 / person
Location
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 29 reviews
Languages
RU, EN
Group
Small group, up to 15
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Kazakhstan Guided Tours

Description

Experience the best of Almaty in one unforgettable day! Ride the cable car to 3,200 meters at the Shymbulak Ski Resort and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and the city below. Explore the city’s top landmarks — Republic Square, Zenkov Cathedral, and the bustling Green Bazaar — after returning from the majestic Tien Shan Mountains. Immerse yourself in the true spirit of Kazakhstan! Taste traditional Kazakh dishes, sample kumis (fermented horse milk), and buy pure mountain honey at the lively Green Bazaar. Your friendly tour guide will share captivating stories and insights, helping you discover the real soul of Almaty — a perfect blend of culture, nature, and flavor.

Schedule & prices

Runs
Every day
Start times
9:00 AM
Adult (ages 13+)
$40
Child (ages 3–12)
$30
Infant (ages 0–2)
Free

In demand: 30 of the next 30 departures are already sold out.

From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.

Tour Options

Group (shared) format

Small group of 5-15 tourists Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission not included210 min

Сable car ride to Shymbulak ski resort with lifting to the highest point 3200m above sea level, walking, photographing

60 min

- Drive through the old city center (Opera and Ballet Theater, Old Square and Former Government House);

Arbat Almaty
30 min

Walking along the Arbat pedestrian street

Park Named After Panfilov’s 28 Guardsmen
30 min

Sightseeing, walking, photographing

Ascension Cathedral
15 min

Excursion to the Ascension Cathedral

Zeleny Bazar
30 min

Green Bazaar: tasting and buying various products

Rakhat Candy Factory
20 min

Almaty Chocolate Factory brand shop visiting, buying local chocolate products

What's included

Included
Comfortable minibus with A/C
Bottled water
English-speaking tour guide services
Not included
Lunch is not included and is provided at cafe/restaurant
Shymbulak cable car tickets to the highest point 3200m above sea level and back

Traveller Ratings

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

4.9
29 reviews
5
25
4
4
3
0
2
0
1
0

How it compares in Almaty

  • No. 35 by number of reviews among 311 tours in Almaty
  • Starting price $40 is 80% below the typical $200 for tours of similar length in Almaty

Excurgo comparison of 311 Viator tours, recalculated daily.

Important Information

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Headscarf is required for women visiting the Cathedral

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 Almaty city & Shymbulak tour take?

Almaty city & Shymbulak tour lasts about 9 hours. The itinerary has 7 stops.

How much does Almaty city & Shymbulak tour cost?

Prices start at $40 per person for this Almaty experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.

What days does Almaty city & Shymbulak tour run?

According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM.

How much does Almaty city & Shymbulak tour cost for children?

Children aged 3–12 pay from $30, adults from $40. Infants go free.

Does Almaty city & Shymbulak tour sell out?

It can: 30 of the next 30 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.

Can I cancel Almaty city & Shymbulak tour 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. Pickup points include Iris, Akzhol Hotel Almaty.

What languages is Almaty city & Shymbulak tour offered in?

The experience is available in RU, EN.

Is this a private or a group tour?

It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 15 participants.

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.

Is Almaty city & Shymbulak tour worth it?

Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 29 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Kazakhstan Guided Tours.

Reviews(29)

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

A
Adventure30380981484
May 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Lunch and dinner

the lunch and dinner can be better .The meat is not enough

S
sumitkathare
April 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Lovely and easy trip, city and Shymbulak in a day

This was a easy paced tour of Shymbulak and city. We covered all the sightseeing spots with our guide Naz and driver Amman. They were professional and courteous. It was a private tour so we also had a delectable lunch chosen by the Guide. Highly recommend booking with this company

C
cathyvN4232KW
December 8, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Special Thanks to Acem!

Our tour with Acem felt more like spending the day with a kind friend than a guide. She made sure we were safe, comfortable &truly enjoying every moment in Shymbulak and around the city. Her warmth and sincerity made the whole experience unforgettable. Thank you Acem, you left a special mark on our trip❤️

A
AjayKumar P
November 25, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Highly Recommended trip for city tour and shymbulak

Amal & serjahan were absolutely great, they knew the pulse of the group. The pace of the trip was just right, tgey ensured tgey explained every single detail in a place.highly recommend this trip.

M
monalisar709
November 5, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Extremely satisfied

We had a very nice city tour. Our guide Amal was very friendly, knowledgeable and very accommodating to our needs. She was very helpful and always smiling. I recommend her and this tour operator for anyone who is looking to visit Almaty. 😊

Q
Quest50692736987
October 22, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing city tour with Amal & Elnara

To preface this review, we have done a bunch of city tours in over two dozen countries, and this has to be one of the best so far. The entire trip functioned like clockwork precision. Every second was accounted for and perfectly managed. We didn't even have to wait for our car anywhere post an attraction. It was like magic. The itenary itself was well paced and comprehensive. We had enough time to wander about everywhere, and yet we covered everything of note around Almaty. Our guide Amal was absolutely amazing. She was exactly the right amount of professional but not overbearingly so. She had just the right amount of quirk and fun to make for a delightfully mesmerizing day. We also had the pleasure of being guided by Elnara for an hour or two. She was also extremely knowledgeable. Overall, the trip contained enough information to pique interest but also was not a boring information dump some other similar trips in the past have turned into. All in all they managed to achieve a perfect delicate balance. Absolutely 10/10 recommended. On a side note, there was a slight misunderstanding over our itenary. Their resolution there was also extremely prompt and efficient. Some much larger firms might do well to learn from them. They have earned our trust blindly.

F
Franco56tiz
September 14, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Almaty and Shymbulak

Shymbulak not exciting. On the other hand, a ski resort in summer .. very nice museum of musical instruments. Near the cathedral. Very professional guide and speaking excellent English.

T
T4948IGoscard
August 30, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Kazakhstan’s Disxovery Tour

We had a wonderful time touring the City of Almaty. We were amazed of the views in Shymbulak Mountain Resort reaching the top after three cable car rides. Each stop has mesmerizing views. We went around the City and saw the Russian architecture well preserved in some of the old structures. We had a fulfilling lunch of local cuisine and had a taste of the Kazakhstan’s welcome drink of horse milk called chalap. The Tour became a memorable experience because of our talented, knowledgeable and very fluent English-speaking Tour Guide in the person of Mr. AZAT.

P
pomarzan
August 30, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Azat turned our Almaty and Shymbulak tour into an unforgettable adventure!

We had an amazing day tour in Almaty and Shymbulak with our guide Azat. From the very start, he was warm, friendly, and professional, making us feel comfortable right away. He shared his deep knowledge of Kazakhstan’s history, culture, and traditions in such an engaging way that made the experience not only fun but also meaningful. Azat was very attentive to our needs, patient with our pace, and always ready to take photos for us at the most scenic spots. He guided us through the highlights of Almaty and gave us plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of Shymbulak, making the whole day well-balanced between sightseeing, learning, and relaxing. His passion for his country truly shines through, and we could see how much he enjoyed sharing it with visitors. We highly recommend Azat to anyone visiting Almaty – he is a knowledgeable, caring, and outstanding guide who made our trip truly unforgettable.

M
ManojS627
August 29, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Fantastic City tour

We had very good tour with Kazhak Guided tour. The Guide Mr. Azat was very friendly and also our kid had a very good time with him. We didn’t have to worry about anything on the tour. From food to commute , everything was well taken care of and flexible. Highly recommend.

$40/ person
4.9(29)
Duration9 hours
LanguagesRU, EN
ConfirmationInstant
Check availability on Viator →
Booked and paid on Viator.com
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

No booking fees from Excurgo
Payment and confirmation are handled by Viator
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