Almaty Shymbulak Trekking – Walking Between Snowy Mountains and the Sky

Just 30 minutes away from Almaty city, Shymbulak, located at the foothills of the Tian Shan Mountains, is a place renowned as a ski resort in winter and a trekking paradise in summer. Thanks to its high-altitude cable cars and stunning scenery, it’s a must-visit destination for travelers in Almaty.

📍 Basic Course Structure:

Step 1: Medeu → Shymbulak Base (Cable Car Stage 1)

Step 2: Shymbulak Base → Station 1 → Station 2 (Cable Car Stages 2 & 3)

Step 3: Arrival at the 3200m high 'Talgar Pass' → Start trekking

🚶 Trekking Routes:
From Talgar Pass, popular routes include heading towards the summit or walking along the mountain ridge. Depending on your stamina and schedule, you can choose routes ranging from a short 1-hour trek to longer ones exceeding 3 hours. There are flat sections suitable for beginners, and many scenic spots perfect for taking photos with snowy mountains as the backdrop.

❄️ Highlights:

Snowy mountain views at altitudes above 3000m

Despite being a high-altitude area, trekking is comfortably cool from June to September

Enjoying a warm cup of tea on the mountain for a moment of relaxation

⚠️ Important Tips:

Bring outerwear due to significant temperature differences; pack a hat and sunscreen

Walk slowly and hydrate frequently to prevent altitude sickness

Wear trekking shoes or sturdy sneakers with good grip

🎫 Admission/Usage Fees:

Round-trip cable car (3 stages) costs approximately 9000–12000 Tenge (subject to exchange rate fluctuations)

Arriving early allows for a more relaxed boarding experience without waiting

Shymbulak offers a completely different landscape from Almaty’s urban scenery. It’s the perfect day-trip destination to experience the majestic nature of high-altitude areas without traveling far.