A daily walk around Alma-Ata
We will walk the main streets of the former capital, see the magnificent wooden cathedral, the grandiose bathhouse complex, and look at the ancient oriental market.
Highlights:
- Walk the main streets of the former capital
- Explore the wooden Ascension Cathedral
- See Kazakhstan's first independent theater, Artishok.
- Learn the history of the famous Arasan Baths
- Walk along the local Arbat and have a look at the Oriental Market
Included:
- Guide service
Important to know:
- Tour reservations close 24 hours in advance.
- There can be more than 15 people in the group, as no tickets are purchased for children.
- The tour is completely pedestrian. Along the way there are convenient stops and photo pauses with a favorable angle at the sights.
- A map of the route can be found in the "Photo" section.
- The tour is held without headphones.
- At the end of the tour you'll have a question and answer session: you can ask the guide any questions about Alma-Ata, discuss the tour and exchange impressions.
- We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes, take a hat and a bottle of water.
You will plunge into the charm and flavor of the southern capital, learn about the prominent figures of the republic and the key historical events, see the garden city through the eyes of the locals and learn how to navigate there.
New and Old Town
We will meet in the 28 Panfilov Park in the center of the "Old Town" which was still called the New Town in the 19th century. You will see the Memorial of Glory and the Eternal Flame, the elegant wooden Voznesensky Cathedral, once called the Sofia Cathedral in Turkestan, and Kazakhstan's first independent theater, ARTISHOK. We will walk along the main alley of the park, under the shadow of Tien Shan firs, and talk about its fate and transformation.
Kazakh aristocracy
Leaving the memorial reserve, we will find ourselves in the historic "Golden Square" of the city, near the famous Arasan baths. The complex includes eastern, Russian and Finnish baths, water therapy, shower pavilion, children's section. You will hear a story about the first pre-revolutionary city bathhouses, the construction of "Arasan" and its architecture of the "Kunayev" period. After examining the building we will go to Panfilov Street, the local Arbat, one of the key places not only in Alma-Ata, but also in the city of Verny. Along the street there are two large shopping centers, TSUM and Passage, two cinemas, many bookstores, art galleries, theaters and cozy coffee shops. You will meet dancers and musicians, surprise magicians and artists, and if you are lucky you will catch the annual festival of contemporary art.
Oriental Bazaar and Merchant
The last point of our tour will be the "Green Bazaar", one of the oldest markets in Kazakhstan. You will learn the history of the "Gostiny Dvor and its merchants", which was here before the earthquake, and hear about its Turkestan elegance and importance for the development of the city. We will talk about the functioning of the market during the war and the Soviet Constructivism style, after which you will be able to walk between the counters and taste our "Aport Almaty".
Free cancellation
Meeting point
