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A recent survey from June 2023 to May 2024 found that Indian travellers are showing a growing interest in journeying to emerging hotspots like Azerbaijan and Bhutan. One of the places which caught users’ interest was Almaty in Kazakhstan. Formerly known as Alma-Ata, it is the country’s largest city and is located in the mountainous area of southern Kazakhstan in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau. The former Silk Route stop is the beating heart and soul of Kazakh classical and pop culture, with a contemporary feel that puts it more in league with its European brethren. Find out what makes Almaty unique and worth your visit with this four-day itinerary.
Start your trip with a visit to the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, one of the largest museums in Central Asia. Established in 1931, the museum houses the most significant collection of Kazakh historical, archaeological, and modern cultural and political artefacts, totalling an astonishing 300,000 pieces. You will come across mammoth skeletons, national costumes and horse harnesses, guns from World War II, bowls of Chinese porcelain from the 12th century, a handwritten Quran written in 1643, and more such fascinating items here.
Spend some time at the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen Park which is named after the soldiers of an Alma-Ata Infantry unit who died while defending Moscow from the German invasion during World War II. An eternal flame commemorating the fallen of the war and the Eastern Front burns in front of a giant black monument of soldiers from 15 Soviet Republics. During the day, you can ride ponies, feed pigeons and stroll along the coniferous alleys and mysterious shady pathways.
Next, check out the nearby Ascension Cathedral, a building falsely believed to have been constructed without a single nail. The cathedral was built in 1907 and was only used for its intended purpose during the first 20 years of its life. In 1929 it came under the control of the anti-religious Soviet power who used the building for public purposes, like sending out radio broadcasts from the bell tower. The temple was finally returned to the ownership of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1995. Today, the building is included in the list of monuments of Kazakhstan which are of republican significance.
Ease the day’s adventures with a refreshing dip in the Arasan Bathhouse. More than just a sauna complex, the place is an important part of the history of Almaty and since 1984 has been a monument of national importance. The complex is designed to serve up to 2,500 people per day. While the façade of the bathhouse looks quite modest, the same cannot be said about the interior of the building. There are three types of baths which can be found here: Russian, Finnish and Turkish. Fans of large groups can bathe in the common rooms while those who wish to sit in a small group can rent rooms.
Visit the bustling Green Bazaar, a two-storey market which has been in business since 1875. Vendors sell a wide array of Kazakh delights, ranging from fizzy, alcoholic milk to horse sausage. Inside, you will find rows of meticulously arranged baskets of kurt, smooth balls of a dry, salty cheese made from fermented mare’s or sheep’s milk. Dried apricots, raisins, figs, and other fruit and nuts lie like little jewels on trays, next to fresh fruit being pressed on hand-cranked juicers. The smell of freshly cut flowers, spices and produce lingers as one walks through the bazaar. From salty camel’s milk to fish roe to horseradish condiments, customers are encouraged to have a taste as they peruse the stalls. If you’re still peckish after tasting the samples, stop over for tea and noodles at one of the food stalls lining the perimeter.
The wondrous architecture of the Palace of the Republic should be next on your itinerary. One of the largest concert halls in Kazakhstan, the building has been used for various events of urban and republican significance like party plenums and trade union meetings. At the same time, the Palace of the Republic has been a popular stage venue for almost 50 years. Check out the schedule of events for the day at the reception.
Follow this up with a visit to Kok Tobe Park, a popular place for romantic dates and walks. It is located on the peak of the Kok Tobe mountain at an altitude of 1,100m above sea level. From the top of the mountain, you can see not only city landscapes but also breathtaking panoramas of the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau. The TV tower here is one of the tallest in the world at 371m. Unfortunately, the entrance to it is closed to tourists so you can only admire it from the side. The theme park at the site features a mini-zoo, rides, a tribute to The Beatles, a mirror maze, a rope park and a “Fast Coaster” sled. Take a ride on the Ferris wheel and admire Almaty from on high.
Hear the silence of the wild with a trip to the Botanical Garden in the evening. Located on Timiryazev Street, the 108 hectares of real pine groves, spruce forests, oak and birch avenues, lilac thickets, and other plants from around the world are home to squirrels, pheasants and blue-headed birds. An experienced guide will take you on a tour of the garden, which is arranged according to botanical and geographical principles. You will learn a lot about the flora of Kazakhstan, Russia, Crimea and the Caucasus. Enjoy the interiors of the greenhouse where the delicate beauty of more than 1,000 species of heat-loving tropical plants are on display. You can have a picnic at the garden and breathe the fresh air as the night deepens.
Time for a day trip to the Big Almaty Lake and the Big Almaty Peak. The reservoir is located near the state border of Kyrgyzstan and is hidden in a mountainous area with landscapes of indescribable beauty, the aroma of fragrant herbs and the freshness of snow-capped peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau. One of the mysterious features of the lake is its ever-changing colour, which ranges from an azure blue to a rich emerald. The background of snow-white mountain peaks and centuries-old majestic pines accompanied by the ringing natural silence and brilliance of the sun’s rays on the water's surface will leave an unforgettable impression on you.
The lake lies on the way to the Big Almaty Peak on the Northern Tian-Shan slope. On a clear day, it is easily visible from the city and is shaped similarly to a pyramid. Hiking to the 3,680m summit may not be easy but it does not require special preparation and equipment—just pack some good shoes and you will be on your way. The temperature drop in this area can be swift, with 30°C in the afternoon turning to a frigid -10°C in the evening. When you reach the 3,400m mark, stop to take in the view of the Zailiysky Alatau range.
Stop by Sunkar Farm, a place that looks after endangered falcons. So far, more than 850 falcons have been bred and released from the facility. It keeps several species of falcons, golden eagles, black vultures and eagle owls but what sets the farm apart from others like it in the world is its collection of purebred falcons. Take part in a spectacular bird show where the feathered creatures engage in various ways of hunting small game under the guidance of a falconer. You can also choose to stay nearby for the night instead of going back to Almaty.
On your final day in Almaty, head to the Medeu complex located at an altitude of 1,691m above sea level. With beautiful views of the tops of the Zailiysky Alatau mountains, clean air and soft sunlight, it’s no wonder that residents come here frequently. The place is probably most well-known for its ice skating rink which has been operating since 1972. The rink regularly hosts speed skating, ice hockey and figure skating competitions. South of the ice skating rink is the Medeu Dam which can be accessed by climbing 842 steps. Not everyone can climb them in one go but the fascinating view from the dam to the ice skating rink is worth the effort.
While you're here, take the cable car to the Shymbulak Ski Resort where you can drink coffee at the top of the world. You will find snow here even in 30°C summer heat. In summer, the average air temperature is a remarkable 20°C while in winter it’s around -7°C. During the off-season from May to October, the resort offers extreme sports activities for visitors such as buggy rides, cycling down the mountain, a rope park and paragliding adventures. There are cafés and restaurants where you can eat a leisurely meal and an observation deck with powerful binoculars that rotate 360°. For those who want to enjoy the mountain silence and admire the snowy slopes, the resort also has high-class hotels.
Head back to the city and enjoy a nice dinner of Kazakh food at Sandyq, Qaimaq or the Abay Restaurant. The majority of Kazakh cuisine is composed of meat dishes from horses, camels, cows and sheep. Horse and camel meat are the two main types of festive meats while sheep and cow meat are eaten day-to-day. Feast on beshbarmark, kazy, shelpek, kespe, kuurdak and manti during your stay in Almaty.
There are direct flights from New Delhi to Almaty International Airport (ALA).
