Almaty, in the city
Kok Tobe
The hill the whole city is laid out beneath.
A green hill on the southern edge of Almaty with the television tower on top, reached by cable car from Dostyk Avenue. The city sits below in a grid of poplars and rooftops, the Tien Shan closes the view behind you, and at sunset the whole thing turns orange.
What is up there
A terrace over the city, the 372-metre tower, a ferris wheel, gardens and places to eat. It is a park rather than a viewpoint: families stay two or three hours without noticing.
Go for the evening
Arrive an hour before sunset. You get the city in daylight, the sun going down over the steppe, and then the lights coming on, all from the same bench. This is the single best first evening in Almaty for anyone who has just landed.
Getting up
The cable car from the city centre is part of the experience: eight minutes over the rooftops. Cars can also drive to the top, which is what we do when guests are travelling with small children or a grandparent.
Tours that go here
Prices are per group, not per person, and include the guide, the driver and the car.