Turgen Gorge

The Turgen Gorge is a beautiful outdoor destination located 90km east of Almaty, Kazakhstan. This alpine valley offers a range of biomes and landscapes, including alpine meadows, old-growth forests, glaciers and high peaks. The gorge is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and offers a wide range of activities including hiking, mountaineering, rafting, mountain biking, horse riding and ski touring.

One of the highlights of the Turgen Gorge is the Bear Waterfall, a 30-metre drop at 1559 metres above sea level. The waterfall is surrounded by picturesque scenery and can be reached by a short hike from AkBulak Café. Another must-see waterfall in the area is the Kairak Waterfall, the largest of the seven waterfalls in the Turgen Gorge. It is over 55 metres high and is known for its powerful and fast flow, which has carved a tunnel in the rock.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Turgen Gorge offers many opportunities for hiking and mountaineering. There are several hiking trails in the area, including a 4-hour hike from Batan to the Kairak waterfall and a multi-day trek that explores the highest reaches of the Trans-Ili Alatau. The area is also popular for ski touring, with Kazakhstan’s first and only yurt ski camp located in the Turgen Valley.

Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy rafting on the Turgen River, which offers fun and exhilarating white water adventures. The river is also home to a trout farm, where visitors can fish for trout to grill on site or take away.

Overall, the Turgen Gorge is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering a wide range of activities and stunning natural beauty to explore.