Turgen Gorge & the Waterfalls

Overview

Turgen is where Almaty goes when the city gets too hot. The road climbs past a trout farm and a run of waterfalls — the Bear Waterfall is the one everyone walks to — and keeps going up to open meadows where horses graze beside the water. A full day outdoors with as much or as little walking as you want, and the drive itself is half the pleasure.

Highlights

• The waterfall trail through the forest
• Horses and meadows along the river
• Trout farm, and hot springs if you want them

Itinerary

1. 1

   Pick-up from your hotel

   15 min

   An early start makes the day unhurried.

2. 2

   The drive east

   1 h 30

   Ninety minutes through orchard country to the mouth of the gorge.

3. 3

   The waterfalls

   2-3 h

   The forest path to the Bear Waterfall and back, at your own pace.

4. 4

   The high meadows

   2 h

   Up the valley to open pasture, horses and the river, with time to sit.