Updated: 15 September 2026 · ALMATY VISTA editors
Talgar is the “mountain town” closest to Almaty: about 40 minutes’ drive from the centre without traffic. Start in the morning, before clouds settle over the ridge and while the Talgar massif is clearly visible.
Begin at the Talkhiz settlement: it is part of the UNESCO “Silk Roads” property and the best way to understand the place’s history. Then visit the Almaty Nature Reserve museum, and after lunch walk the lower Talgar Gorge along the river.
The upper gorge belongs to the reserve and requires a permit, so plan ahead. In the evening, return to Almaty or head straight to the airport – it is closer to Talgar than many city districts.
