A self-guide to hidden
places around Almaty

In the Talgar District, just an hour’s drive from Almaty, lies “Soul of Pepper,” an organic farm — a truly unique place where Alexander and Oleg grow the world’s hottest chili varieties using sustainable farming methods: Carolina Reaper, Trinidad Scorpion, Naga Viper, Ghost Pepper, and dozens more. From these fiery peppers, they craft super-hot sauces and signature spice blends.

Guests are invited for a guided farm tour, including pepper and product tastings, and a deep dive into the art of organic cultivation and the craft of creating artisanal hot sauces.

The trail starts above the Hunny ethno-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.

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