Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe in Almaty
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe

Outty Ranking 68 4.9 · 9 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $89

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September 2026

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From, per person$89
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Outty Ranking

68/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe worth booking?

Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe is a 8-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $89 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
68 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (9)
Duration
8 hours
From
$89 per person

Discover Almaty’s top mountain highlights on a full-day tour combining nature, culture, and stunning views. Meet your guide at 9:00 AM in front of the Abay Opera House and travel to Ile-Alatau National Park. Visit the B

What you get

  • Admission fees
  • English speaking guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Hiking poles

About this experience

Discover Almaty’s top mountain highlights on a full-day tour combining nature, culture, and stunning views. Meet your guide at 9:00 AM in front of the Abay Opera House and travel to Ile-Alatau National Park. Visit the Butakovka Visit Center before hiking through scenic pine forests to Butakovka Waterfall (about 1 hour each way). Guests who prefer not to hike can relax at the Visit Center and enjoy the mountain scenery. After the hike, enjoy free time for lunch at Auyl Restaurant (lunch is not included), a unique mountain restaurant with panoramic views of the Small Almaty Gorge. Continue to Medeu, one of the world's highest mountain skating rinks, then ride the cable car to Shymbulak Mountain Resort for free time to explore and take photos. Finish the day at Kok Tobe, Almaty’s most famous viewpoint, offering spectacular views of the city and surrounding mountains before returning to the city center.

What's included

Included

  • Admission fees
  • English speaking guide
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Hiking poles

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Cable car to Symbulak (12 000 tenge)
  • Koktobe Hill (3 000 tenge for the shuttle bus)

What you'll see and do

  1. Butakovskiy Waterfall

    Butakovka Waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls near Almaty. Located at an altitude of around 2,100 meters above sea level, the waterfall drops from rocky cliffs with a height estimated between 15 and 30 meters. During the warmer months, visitors can enjoy the refreshing mountain air and cool mist from the cascading water, while in winter the waterfall transforms into a spectacular wall of blue ice.

    120 minutes here

  2. Lunch at Auyl Restaurant, a unique mountain restaurant inspired by a traditional Kazakh village. Enjoy panoramic views of the Small Almaty Gorge, take photos, explore the grounds, and relax over lunch (at your own expense).

    90 minutes here · Admission not included

  3. Medeu Skating Rink and Ski resort

    Medeu is a mountainous sports complex located in the elevated valley of Medeu, at an altitude of 1,691 meters above sea level. Here's how to spend time in this place. The first option is to climb to the top of the dam using the Stairs of Health. The second option is to rent ice skates and glide on the ice rink; this opportunity is available until April, while the rink is operational.

    30 minutes here

  4. Shymbulak is renowned for its stunning mountain vistas. Travelers will be immersed in the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Tien Shan Mountains. Whether it's the snow-covered peaks in winter or lush meadows in summer, the scenery is breathtaking year-round. We will ascend to the highest point of Shymbulak via the cable car. Shymbulak ski resort consists of three levels: the Base Station, the Middle Station, and the Upper Station, where you can take numerous photos against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. Additionally, you can enjoy lunch at one of the cafes or restaurants of your choice at the base stations. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

    120 minutes here · Admission not included

  5. Koktobe Mountain offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views of Almaty and the surrounding landscapes. Travelers can witness the city's skyline, the vast steppe, and the majestic Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains. The ascent is facilitated by special buses that operate from the parking area at the base of the mountain.

    60 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting at the fountain in front of Abay Opera House

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Meeting at the fountain in front of Abay Opera House

Before you book

Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Languages
ru, en
Ticket
Mobile Only
Runs on
Every day
Group size
Up to 12 travelers per booking
Operated by
Adam tour

Know before you go

  • Service animals allowed
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe in Almaty, photo 2Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe in Almaty, photo 3Tour B - high mountain sports complex MedeoAlmaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe in Almaty, photo 5Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe in Almaty, photo 6Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe in Almaty, photo 7

Good to know

Duration
8 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
All ages
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
3
Verdict
Solid Choice

Why this scores 68

The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)88
Review evidence (18% weight)40
Booking momentum (14% weight)29
Value for money (12% weight)63
Listing quality (10% weight)100
Local standing (8% weight)54
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe: questions travelers ask

Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Almaty.

How much does Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe cost?

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Prices start at $89 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Almaty usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

How long does Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe take?

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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Almaty is not rushed.

Is Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 9 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Almaty, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

Can I cancel or reschedule Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe?

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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

Is Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe suitable for kids and families?

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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

How far in advance should I book Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe?

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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Almaty can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

What should I bring or wear?

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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Almaty and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Almaty Highlights: Butakov Waterfall, Auyl, Shymbulak & Kok Tobe start and how do I get there?

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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Almaty within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

What are the best things to do in Almaty?

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On Outty we rank every Almaty experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour, Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour, Small-Group Tour: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

When is the best time to visit Almaty?

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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

How many days do you need in Almaty?

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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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