Bogdanovich Glacier tour at a glance
- Countries
- Length
- 1 day
- Group size
- Private tour, up to 4 travellers
- Season
- Early June to mid-September; a harder winter version may run from December to February
- Style
- Mountain hiking, fit hikers only
- Price
- from $104 per person (4 travellers)
Day hike from Almaty, step by step
Day 1
Almaty – Medeu – Talgar pass – Bogdanovich Glacier – Almaty
Our guide meets you at your hotel in Almaty in the morning and we drive to the Medeu skating rink. From there the cable car runs via the Shymbulak ski resort up to the Talgar pass at 3,200 m. The trail leaves the pass through alpine highland and enters the glacier zone, where almost nothing grows. It follows a dirt track along the left side of the gorge, then climbs onto the glacier's left lateral moraine, where the path almost disappears. After about an hour it reaches the middle of the gorge, passes a large rock ledge on the left and leads along the right side of the valley to the glacier tongue. On the way you see Chkalov and Fizkulturnik peaks with the hanging Ayak and Til glaciers, and from the tongue the north faces of Komsomol, Amangeldy and Pioneer peaks. Having reached 3,600 m, we walk back to the pass, ride the cable car down to Medeu and drive back to the city. Walking: about 4 hours on the route, but plan for 5–6 hours of steady hiking; 13 km return, 400 m up and down (3,200–3,600 m). Driving: about 2 hours return, plus about 50 minutes on the cable car.
Meals: none included; bring snacks and water
Bogdanovich Glacier tour prices, season 2026
| Hotels | 1 traveller | 2 travellers | 3 travellers | 4 travellers | Single supplement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private tour | $306 | $163 | $137 | $104 | On request |
Prices are per person in USD for a private day hike, by group size, up to 4 hikers.
More tours in this region
Combine this trip with another private Almaty route or a longer Silk Road journey through Central Asia.
3 Stans Discovery: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan
14 days / 13 nights
from $2643 per person (10–11 travellers, 3*)
What the day includes
- Private tour with our English-speaking guide throughout
- Private transport, with pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Almaty
- Cable car tickets from Medeu to the Talgar pass
- Group first-aid kit carried by our guide, radio for larger groups and certified technical equipment where needed
Not included
- Meals, snacks, water and drinks
- International flights to and from Almaty
- Airport, railway and bus station transfers
- Hotels, meals and activities in Almaty before and after the trip
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Rental of clothing, boots and hiking gear
- Optional activities
- Porters for personal belongings and backpacks
Bogdanovich Glacier trek: questions
How much does the Bogdanovich Glacier tour cost?
For the 2026 season it costs $104 per person for 4 hikers, $137 for 3, $163 for 2 and $306 for one hiker, in USD. The group is private and limited to 4.
How hard is the Bogdanovich Glacier hike?
It is a real mountain hike at 3,200–3,600 m, not a sightseeing walk. Plan for 5–6 hours of continuous hiking on unmarked moraine, rock and snow. It does not suit you if you want an easy walk or a marked trail, or have no mountain clothing, footwear or experience on uneven ground. Our guide may decline to start if your clothing or shoes are not suitable, and the hike cannot be booked for the next day: it needs planning in advance.
When is the best time to visit Bogdanovich Glacier?
The regular season usually runs from early June to mid-September. Spring and late autumn are not offered because of high avalanche danger. From December to February a considerably more demanding winter version may run, with day temperatures of −10 to −25 °C; in a short, safe winter window it can include the Bogdanovich ice cave (Oktyabrskaya). The ice cave is not visited in summer.
How do you reach Bogdanovich Glacier?
We drive from Almaty to Medeu, take the cable car via Shymbulak to the Talgar pass at 3,200 m and walk from there to the glacier tongue at 3,600 m, then return the same way.
What should I bring?
In summer: hiking shoes or light boots, trekking socks, long trekking trousers, a long-sleeve top, a fleece, a light down jacket, a rain jacket, a hat, gloves, a cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, a small daypack, trekking poles, a water bottle and snacks. In winter add warm high boots, insulated trousers, thermal layers, a down jacket and a small thermos with a hot drink. There is no mobile signal in places.