The tour starts with meeting of your guide at the meeting point no later than 10 minutes before the tour departure time. After boarding a comfortable car or minivan you will start your Almaty exploration.
For the five-hour tour we offer bottled water and a snack consisting of an individually wrapped sandwich, a fruit and a chocolate to enjoy along the tour at one of the stops. You are welcome to bring your personal snack, tea or coffee in a container with a lid on it.
The enthusiastic guide will begin the excursion in central part of Almaty, with a short stop at the Monument of Independence. Passing by the Central Library, the Abay State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet, with a glimpse on a new walking Panfilov street you will know more about history and development of the Southern capital of Kazakhstan from ancient time till nowadays.
Then the tour will continue in one of the oldest Almaty parks - Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, where one of the most beautiful wooden building in the world - Zenkov Cathedral is located. You will also visit the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame, listen to the stories of the guide and admire the beauty of Museum of Musical Instruments. A leisurely walk under the crowns of old trees will take about 40 minutes.
Next point of interest is a popular place for townspeople - the Green Bazaar, where it is impossible to refrain from shopping. It is the great chance to experience an atmosphere of the real eastern market, its colors, smells and crowds. There you can obtain famous oriental sweets, dried fruits, buy local products and souvenirs, but don't forget to bargain. In the market they accept cash in tenge (local currency), so it would be good to have some with you or there is an exchange point just nearby to the market area.
Then, after the exploration of sport, cultural and business areas of the city, in half an hour you will get to the Medeo Gorge (1690 m above sea level), well known due to the highest mountain skating rink in the world and the dam, protecting the city from dangerous mudflow. During a brief walk around you will have time to take your mountain-view pictures, breath the fresh pine-tree air and enjoy your snack. On the way back to the town you will be told an interesting story why Almaty is actually called the Apple city.
Next destination is the Kok-Tobe hill where the tallest TV tower in the world is located (if to count from the sea level) and where you will get by the picturesque winding mountain road on the park eco-cars. In Kok-Tobe Park you can stroll along the winding paths of the park, admire the magnificent panorama of the city from the special observation deck, throw a coin in the "apple" fountain and visit the shop of national souvenirs.
The tour ends with the short ride from the top of the hill to the center of the city by the famous Almaty cableway and the dropping you off to the original meeting pointaround 3:00pm.