TERRAVIA
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TASALA

Almaty

Mountains right beside the city: Medeu, Shymbulak, Kok-Tobe and a short flight.

Route
Tashkent → Almaty
Best time to go
May–September for mountain walks, December–March for skiing.
VisaVisa-free
Citizens of Uzbekistan need no visa for up to 30 days. Kazakhstan is introducing the QazETA electronic permit, applied for at least 72 hours before travel. Check whether it applies to you before you leave.

What to see

Medeu and Shymbulak
A high-altitude skating rink with a ski resort above it, reached by cable car.
Kok-Tobe
A hill over the city with a cable car, a viewpoint and rides for children.
Panfilov Park
Home to the wooden Ascension Cathedral.

What to try

Green Bazaar
The place to try kazy, kurt and local sweets.
Beshbarmak
The Kazakh national dish of noodles and boiled meat.

What to do

Arbat
An evening walk along the pedestrian Zhibek Zholy street.
Charyn Canyon
About 200 km east of the city, and a popular day trip.