A self-guide to hidden gems around Almaty

This guide is made for those who prefer slow discoveries over rushed checklists.

It brings together places we truly love — quiet hidden gorges, family farms, small cafés, and creative spaces where the soul of rural Almaty lives.

All of them are located about an hour’s drive from the city and are easy to visit on your own — for example, with a rented car.

The guide is constantly growing, just like the stories of the people who make these places special.

The trail starts above the Gunny Ethnic Village. This easy and scenic circular route runs through the territory of the Ile-Alatau National Park.

The route is about 5 km long, with no steep ascents or descents.

The trail winds through pine and birch groves and thickets of wild apple trees.

⚠️ Important!
Mobile reception here is very weak. I recommend paying the entrance fee in advance via Kaspi Payments by selecting the Maralsay eco-post.
(If you don’t have Kaspi, ask a local resident to do it for you in advance and send you the receipt — you’ll need to show it to the ranger at the entrance.)

This trail is not a popular one, so you’re unlikely to meet other tourists along the way — but you might encounter wild animals such as roe deer, wild boars, or squirrels. Please stay alert!

A beautiful, long gorge where you can take an easy hike, relax by the river, go horseback riding, and watch the sunset from the hills overlooking Talgar town.

The dirt road is in poor condition, so it’s best to go by SUV or simply walk.

A beautiful dam reminiscent of Medeu, but without the crowds of tourists.

You can reach it by any car, make a photo stop at the very top, then cross the dam and continue toward the Maralsay Gorge (there’s an eco-post before the entrance to the gorge, and mobile reception works there).

The paved road runs through a scenic gorge with many turn-offs and spots for camping and picnics. I recommend driving deeper into the gorge and taking an easy hike through the walnut grove.

At the end of the road, you’ll find the Maral-Sai family recreation complex, where you can stay overnight at an affordable price — either in hotel rooms or in a cottage

The cable car at Ak-Bulak ski resort takes visitors from the lower station (~1,600 m) to the upper slopes (~2,600–2,700 m), offering scenic views of the Zailiyskiy Alatau and nearby lakes.

In winter, you can ski on trails of varying difficulty, while in autumn it’s a great time to ride the cable car without crowds, enjoy panoramic views, and even hike up Mount Rakhat.

Price: 3,200 KZT per person for the ride, plus a pass card for 1,500 KZT.

Operating hours: weekends only, 09:00–17:00.

For more information and up-to-date prices, visit the official website: ak-bulak.com/en-gb/services/

Issyk Lake is a high-mountain lake located in the Issyk Gorge, about 70 km from Almaty.

It is especially beautiful in autumn, when the mountains and forests are painted in vibrant colors. A good asphalt road leads to the eco-post, and from there you need to walk approximately 1,500 meters to reach the lake.

An ecological fee must be paid at the entrance.

You can combine the visit with Slava Stolyar’s gastro-tour.

The majestic Kairak Waterfall, about 55 m high, is hidden in the Turgen Gorge, approximately 80 km from Almaty.

From the parking lot, a hiking trail of about 8 km follows all the curves of the river, winding through dense coniferous forests and blooming mountain meadows.

The trail is suitable for beginners and offers plenty of impressions: the roar of cascading water, fresh mountain air, and picturesque views of the surrounding forests and cliffs.

An ecological fee must be paid at the entrance to Turgen Gorge. The best time to hike is from May to October, when nature is at its most beautiful.

Issyk Kurgan is an archaeological monument of the Saka period (5th–4th centuries BC), located about 50 km from Almaty. The complex includes over 80 burial mounds, with the largest reaching 11 m in height. It is here that the famous “Golden Man” — a Saka warrior in golden attire — was discovered.

Next to the kurgan is the Issyk Museum, where you can learn about Saka culture, see artifacts from the burial mounds, and walk around the grounds. A paved road leads to the museum, and the drive from Almaty takes about an hour.

No advance booking is required. The ticket for foreign visitors costs 2,000 KZT per person, and the services of an English-speaking guide are 3,000 KZT.

You can combine the visit with Slava Stolyar’s gastro-tour.

The Gunny Ethnic Village immerses visitors in the atmosphere of Kazakhstan’s ancient nomadic culture. Here you can watch a colorful horseback show, take part in traditional games, try archery and horse riding, join craft workshops, and enjoy a tasting of authentic Kazakh cuisine.

A group program is held daily at 11:00 AM. Many tour agencies sell this experience for inflated prices — but in fact, you can easily visit on your own by booking directly.

The fixed price per person is 22,000 KZT.

Just contact the aul directly via the feedback form on their website or WhatsApp: +7 707 051 35 51.

A unique museum featuring over 50 sculptures of robots and superheroes made from old household appliances and scrap metal in the recycle-art style.

The creator, self-taught sculptor Kuanysh Mukhamedzhanov, transforms discarded parts into impressive art objects.

This is the first and only museum of its kind in Kazakhstan.

🕒 Opening hours:
Friday — Monday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

💰 Ticket prices:
Children (ages 3–12) — 1,500 ₸
Adults — 2,000 ₸

Official Instagram account

A cozy family vineyard hidden on the way to Issyk Lake, where winemaker Slava Stolyar creates natural wines from his own grapes and crafts a variety of cheeses — from soft and fresh to aged and full-bodied.

Guests are welcomed with wine and cheese tastings, wood-fired pizza, and coffee brewed in a cezve, all enjoyed around a long table in a warm, homelike setting.

After lunch, you can walk through the vineyards or ride a bike across the nearby Saka burial mounds and open fields.

This isn’t just a tasting — it’s a soulful experience that blends hospitality, nature, and the authentic flavors of rural Kazakhstan.

Can be combined with a visit to Issyk Lake

Tour program and booking

In the Talgar District, just an hour’s drive from Almaty, lies the unique organic farm Soul of Pepper. Here, Alexander and Oleg grow the world’s hottest chili varieties — Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Scorpion, Naga Viper, Ghost Pepper, and many more — using sustainable farming methods.

From these peppers, they craft signature hot sauces and spice blends. Visitors are invited for a guided farm tour with tastings of peppers and sauces, and an introduction to the art of organic cultivation and artisanal sauce making.

Tour program and booking

A scenic flower farm in the Talgar District, about an hour’s drive from Almaty. In spring and summer, the fields bloom with anemones, ranunculus, and dahlias, while in autumn the area turns into a perfect backdrop for mountain-view photoshoots.

The farm follows organic principles and welcomes guests to enjoy nature, take photos, or have a peaceful picnic.

Visitors can use picnic areas, tables, and tea spots with herbal tea and cookies. Food and drinks should be brought along.

Entrance fee:
5,000 ₸ on weekdays, 7,000 ₸ on weekends.

With entry, guests can purchase fresh-cut flowers at wholesale prices.

Sometimes the farm hosts private events. It’s best to contact them before your visit at +77055877447

Mikhail Vorobyev spent a long time cycling through Italy, learned to make pizza in Tuscany, and created his own little Italy here with a stunning view.

Guests from all over the world often gather here to enjoy pizza baked in a wood-fired oven and spend a few peaceful hours watching the sunset.

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.

Contact Mikhail in advance at +7 705 983 6753, as he doesn’t work every day.

This is a new coffee shop (and the only really good one) in Talgar District. For now, they’re operating in test mode on weekends. They use quality coffee beans, and it’s a nice spot to grab a tasty bite and get some work done with a beautiful view.

A special feature is that the owners grow flowers. You can take a walk around the grounds and pick a bouquet yourself

A large and popular café with a huge selection of dishes, plenty of activities, and a slightly eccentric design. There are entertainment options for kids, and guests can catch their own fish to have it cooked on-site or take it home.

We recommend ordering fish dishes — they’re truly excellent here. On weekends, the place can get quite busy, so food preparation might take a bit longer.

Can be combined with a visit to the Talgar Dam and Maralsay Gorge.