Almaty's parks and cable car, the turquoise Big Almaty Lake, Shymbulak in the mountains and a day among the Charyn Canyon's red rocks.
Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, lies at the foot of the Trans-Ili Alatau range, so the mountains begin at the end of the tram lines. The city itself has the wooden Zenkov Cathedral in Panfilov Park, the Green Bazaar and Kok-Tobe hill, reached by cable car for views over the city. Half an hour's drive up the valley is Medeu, home to a high-altitude ice rink, and above it the Shymbulak ski resort, whose gondolas run in summer as well as winter. Big Almaty Lake, a reservoir at about 2,500 m, is known for water that shifts between turquoise and milky blue with the season. A longer day east reaches Charyn Canyon, where the Valley of Castles has red sandstone formations some 150 to 300 m deep, with the Kolsai lakes as an alternative. Kazakhstan has been a visa-free destination for Indian passport holders for short stays, which should be confirmed for the travel dates. Hotels, meals and inclusions are set by the supplier and listed for confirmation.
Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Evening on Arbat (Zhibek Zholy) walking street.
Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral, the Green Bazaar, Republic Square and a cable-car ride to Kok-Tobe at sunset.
Drive to Medeu, then the gondola up to Shymbulak and, in season, the higher stations for the glacier views. Afternoon free.
Morning at Big Almaty Lake (viewing from the road; the shore is restricted), then the Sunkar falcon centre or the Botanical Garden.
Full-day drive to Charyn Canyon and a walk through the Valley of Castles to the river. Return in the evening.
Transfer to Almaty airport for the flight home.
Our visa desk prepares the documents, books the appointment and tracks the application until your passport is back. Allow for the processing time when you fix your dates. Visa desk: +91 97278 86777.
Itinerary last updated 20 October 2026.