3 day itinerary for Almaty

Itinerary

Here's an ideal itinerary for 3 days in Almaty, with a focus on hiking:

Day 1:

• Start your day early and head to the Medeu Ice Skating Rink, which is located at an altitude of 1,691 meters above sea level. From here, you can take a cable car to the Shymbulak Ski Resort, which is situated at an altitude of 2,260 meters. The views from the cable car are breathtaking, and you'll get to see the beautiful mountains surrounding Almaty.
• Once you reach the ski resort, you can go on a hike to the Talgar Pass. This is a moderate hike that takes around 4-5 hours to complete. The trail is well-marked, and you'll get to see stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
• After the hike, you can relax at one of the cafes or restaurants at the ski resort and enjoy some local cuisine.

Day 2:

• Head to the Big Almaty Lake, which is located about 28 kilometers south of Almaty. This lake is situated at an altitude of 2,511 meters and is surrounded by beautiful mountains. You can take a taxi or hire a car to get there.
• From the lake, you can go on a hike to the Peak Furmanov, which is a challenging hike that takes around 6-7 hours to complete. The trail is steep and rocky, but the views from the top are worth it.
• After the hike, you can relax by the lake and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Day 3:

• Head to the Charyn Canyon, which is located about 200 kilometers east of Almaty. You can take a bus or hire a car to get there. The canyon is a natural wonder and is often compared to the Grand Canyon in the United States.
• From the canyon, you can go on a hike to the Valley of Castles. This is a moderate hike that takes around 2-3 hours to complete. The trail is well-marked, and you'll get to see stunning rock formations that look like castles.
• After the hike, you can relax at one of the cafes or restaurants near the canyon and enjoy some local cuisine.

I hope this itinerary helps you plan your trip to Almaty! Let me know if you have any questions or need any further assistance.