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.