Almaty and the mountains in 5 days

A first trip: the city, the lakes and one canyon.

1. Day 1Arrive in Almaty. Walk Panfilov Park and the Zenkov Cathedral, the Green Bazaar, then Kok-Tobe for sunset.
2. Day 2Medeu and Shymbulak by cable car up to the Talgar Pass.
3. Day 3Big Almaty Lake in the morning, afternoon in the city's museums and cafés.
4. Day 4Early start to Charyn Canyon, continue to Saty village.
5. Day 5Kaindy lake in the morning, Kolsai lower lake, return to Almaty in the evening.

Each stop has its own detailed page in the routes section. Build in a spare day for weather or long drives.