Availability: November-April, daily at 10:00
Attention: Since this tour is held in a mountainous area, it is subject to cancellation in case of adverse weather conditions, such as mudflow or avalanche danger, high snow cover or road icing
Tour Description:
After meeting your guide in the hotel lobby and boarding comfortable 4WD sightseeing vehicle, your will start the tour with a ride to the Medeo Gorge (1690 meters above sea level) well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflow. There you will have a brief walk around to take your mountain-view pictures and breath the fresh pine-tree air.
When back to the city, you will continue further to the Big Almaty Lake, located at an altitude 2510 meters above sea level. Passing by the city's newest Al-Farabi Avenue you will observe the ski jumping complex "Sunkar" and the Park of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan - modern arboretum, which is one of the favorite places of leisure for townspeople and the center of large-scale celebrations (a short stop for a photo session, if desired).
After entry to the Ile-Alatau National Park, you will be driving through the winding mountain road with breathtaking views, until you see the the glorious panorama of the Big Almaty Lake. In winter, the lake freezes, but even covered with ice and snow, it fascinates with its landscapes, the air is striking with its cleanliness, and the surrounding mountains are stunning with their magnificence.
The lake is a source of drinking water supply of Almaty city. Because of this reason the access of the tourists to the lake is limited, so the tour route leads little bit higher above the Big Almaty Lake, where you can admire the scenery and enjoy your snack, consisting of an individually wrapped sandwich, a fruit, a chocolate and hot drinks. The tour ends with dropping you off at the original hotel around 15:00.
