I’d love to explore nature near Almaty, but I can’t find any group tours to join. Can anyone recommend a tour company? Or maybe there’s a way to get somewhere by public transport if I go alone?
Public transport is an option—for instance, Medeu and Shymbulak. Take bus #12 from the city center, then the cable car up to Shymbulak.
Can anyone explain how to get to places like Medeu and the Big Almaty Lake (including the seismic station and observatory)?
For Medeu, it’s fairly straightforward—there’s a city bus that takes you almost all the way there. But does the bus run frequently, or only every couple of hours?
As for the observatory and the lake, I’m more uncertain. The bus goes to the Auyusay Visitor Center (both route #211 and a shuttle). But after that? On foot? That seems like a long walk. Also, how do you pay the toll fee for road R-22 if you’re traveling by bus?
Hello! In Almaty, most tour companies can be found on Instagram. Just search for keywords like “Kolsai tours” and browse through the options. Look at their follower counts, reviews, and the tours they offer. Many companies here communicate via Instagram Direct Messages or WhatsApp—these are the two main messaging platforms for businesses in Kazakhstan.
For Medeu, But does the bus run frequently, or only every couple of hours?
Bus #12 runs frequently, and its final stop is Medeu.
As for the observatory and the lake, I’m more uncertain. The bus goes to the Auyusay Visitor Center (both route #211 and a shuttle). But after that? On foot?
Regarding the Big Almaty Lake (BAO), as far as I know, the bus goes up to Kokshoky. From there, it’s a 13 km uphill walk to the lake. If you’re driving, you can go a bit further, but there’s still a substantial hike after that. Keep in mind, you’ll need to bring your passport for BAO—it’s a border zone.