The Journey

The Old Japanese Road in Big Almaty Gorge was built by Japanese prisoners of war in the post-war period.

Who can join

No hiking experience is required. Participants with average physical fitness, including children aged 9 and older, can manage the route, though some sections may be challenging.

Before the hike

Get enough sleep and eat breakfast. Tell the guide in advance about any medical contraindications, especially heart conditions or blood pressure problems. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited. Mountain sunshine is intense and the weather unpredictable: follow the packing checklist and take care of your health.

Day by Day

Expedition Itinerary

09:00–09:10. Meet at the starting point or, by prior request, near your hotel to travel to the start with the guide.
10:00–10:15. After a short walk on the paved road, turn onto the trail and climb the Japanese Road from the Kazachka hotel. The first kilometre is quite steep; further on the trail becomes gentler. The ascent from Kazachka Gorge to the highest point takes about 1–1.5 hours.
11:30–12:00. Reach the highest point, overlooking the junction of Almarasan and Big Almaty gorges; a hydroelectric-station pipeline leads here from the foot of the mountain. Begin a gradual descent along the wide Japanese Road, with panoramic views of Big Almaty Gorge and Big Almaty, Molodezhnyi and Sovetov peaks. The pleasant trail allows a leisurely walk.
12:30–13:00. Stop for lunch and tea at a viewpoint over Big Almaty Gorge.
14:30–15:00. After descending from the Japanese Road, visit Ayusai Gorge and its small waterfall in Bear (Ayu) Gorge.
15:00–16:00. Call a taxi from the Ayusai visitor centre to return to the city. The route is 14.7 km one way: although considered easy, the long walk can be tiring.

🥾 14.7 km ↗ +590m

Transparency

What's Included & Packing Checklist

Included in Price

Guide service
Basic first aid kit
Photo report
Consultation
National park environmental fees

Not Included

Hotel pick-up/drop-off and transportation Almaty — Kazachka; Ayusai — Almaty
Porter service
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Lunch
Trekking poles (available for rent)

Recommended Packing Checklist

Apparel & Layers

Summer: trekking shirt, fleece or hoodie, raincoat or hardshell, trekking trousers, sun hat, buff and trekking shoes or boots
Winter: thermal long sleeve, fleece or hoodie, snow pants, demi-season or winter boots, jacket, woollen hat, gloves and warm socks

Gear & Equipment

Light daypack
Trekking poles
Seat mat (optional)
Winter: headlamp, gaiters and crampons

Trail Essentials

Passport for the border guard document check
Some cash
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Personal first aid kit and any regularly prescribed medication

Food

At least 1 litre of water
Thermos of tea
Lunch and snacks: sandwiches, pancakes or pies

Rates

Price

Exactly 0% markup. You pay the organizers directly, with no agency commissions or hidden markups.

Fixed total price for the whole group.

1 Guest

75,000 ₸ / group

(~$160)

2 Guests

80,000 ₸ / group

(~$170)

3 Guests

90,000 ₸ / group

(~$190)

4 Guests

98,000 ₸ / group

(~$207)

5 Guests

110,000 ₸ / group

(~$235)

Larger groups and payment currency

For more than five people, the price is calculated individually. USD amounts are approximate references; final prices and payments are in KZT.

Guide Team

Your Mountain Guides

Languages on site: English, Czech, Spanish

Marina Kadnikova

Club founder • Certified Trekking Guide & Sports Master Candidate

🇬🇧 Fluent English🏔️ Mountain Tourism Instructor🩹 First Aid (Red Crescent)📜 USAID / KMGA Certification🏆 1st Category Judge

In sports tourism since 2014. In 2020, she founded the active tourism club, turning her passion into a lifelong mission. Certified through international USAID and KMGA trekking guide programs, Marina specializes in creating safe, inspiring mountain journeys across Kazakhstan.

“The Almaty mountains are a realm of pure energy and freedom. My goal is to help you experience this wild beauty with total peace of mind and comfort.”

Alexey Fedorenko

Certified Trekking Guide • 1st Category Mountain Guide

🇬🇧 Fluent English🏔️ 1st Category Guide (KTA)🩹 First Aid (Red Crescent)📜 USAID / KMGA Certification

Exploring high peaks since 2008. Alexey has completed 12+ technical sports expeditions and conquered numerous 4,000-meter summits (highest peak: Kok-Bulak, 4,560 m). Certified through the Almaty Sports Tourism Federation, USAID, and KMGA, Alexey seamlessly blends high-altitude safety expertise with passion.

“Every mountain journey is a chance to test your limits and find quiet clarity. My goal is to ensure your trek is inspiring, memorable, and completely safe.”

Stanislav Ivanov

Certified Trekking Guide • Adventure Tourism Instructor

🇬🇧 Fluent English🏔️ Mountaineer of Kazakhstan (NP-1)🩹 First Aid (60 hours)📜 ISO 21101 / Turclub Certification

Stanislav’s journey in the mountains evolved from challenging early climbs to high-altitude skyrunning and technical mountaineering. Certified under international ISO 21101 adventure tourism standards (180h), backed by advanced 60-hour First Aid training and NP-1 mountaineering credentials, he combines endurance with care.

“The mountains reveal a world of pure wonder and quiet transformation. I’m here to support you every step of the way and create memories you’ll treasure forever.”

Alexandra Sotnikova

Trekking Guide • Professional Ski Instructor

🇬🇧 Fluent English⛷️ Professional Ski Instructor🏔️ In the Mountains Since Childhood✨ Aesthetics & Mindful Pacing

Exploring the mountains since childhood. As a professional ski instructor, Alexandra deeply understands movement mechanics, physical endurance, and ideal group pacing. She uniquely blends an athletic approach with a keen eye for mountain aesthetics and genuine group care.

“A great hike is a safe, honest, and beautiful journey — where you return physically tired, but deeply fulfilled and at peace inside.”