Kok-Zhailau and Kok-Tobe are different places: the former is a mountain route, the latter a city viewpoint. Asy and Assy are spellings of the same plateau. Below are xBike rides grouped by duration and required experience.
Here is a straightforward breakdown by difficulty and format.
Assy Plateau works best as a dedicated full-day trip
For a Confident Beginner: Medeu and Butakovka
Medeu at 1,691 m is the most recognizable landmark in the city. Nearby are the anti-mudslide dam and Butakovka waterfall. This combined route is longer than the short beginner rides and changes surface, so it suits a second ride or someone already comfortable on a bicycle.
The Medeu and Butakovka tour takes 5-6 hours. Its published difficulty is 4 out of 10.
For Beginners: Kok-Zhailau
A mountain upland at 2,100 m directly above Almaty. Hiking up takes 2.5 hours - half a day just for the climb. On an electric bike: 30-40 minutes, the rest of the time for views, a picnic, and kumis from a yurt.
The Kok-Zhailau tour is rated 2 out of 10. It works for a first-time rider who is comfortable balancing on a bicycle.
For Those Wanting More: BAO
Big Almaty Lake at 2,511 m means turquoise water, conifer-covered slopes, and views toward Talgar Pass. Our guided BAO tour includes access confirmation for the selected date. Difficulty: 1 out of 10, beginner-friendly.
One note: swimming is not allowed - BAO is Almaty's drinking water supply. But we'll get you to the viewpoints.
A calm paved section of the BAO route
For Adrenaline: Japanese Road
Local history connects this narrow track above BAO with Japanese internees who worked in Kazakhstan after the Second World War. The route has views over the Big Almaty Gorge, climbs, and rock faces close on both sides. The Japanese Road tour is rated 2 out of 10; the guide controls the pace and shows the riding line.
A Full Day Out of the City: Assy Plateau
A vast upland at 2,600 m in the Turgen Gorge: rolling green hills, yurts, herds of horses. Jeep convoys come here every weekend - riding the same hills on an electric bike is a different experience. We drive you and the bikes up by 4x4, then follow the agreed route without cutting across grass. The Assy Plateau tour is a full day, difficulty 5 out of 10.
The bridges on the direct Kairak route have been washed away. The programme including the waterfall goes via Assy and Don-Zhailau and currently requires experience. Once the bridges are restored, the guide will inspect the route and reassess its difficulty. For a first ride without experience, start with training and an easy route.
A Dedicated Full Day: Kaindy or Charyn
If you can give the route the whole day, two destinations stand out.
Lake Kaindy (290 km from Almaty) - a drowned forest, dead spruce trunks standing in turquoise water. The Kaindy tour is 70,000 KZT, difficulty 3 out of 10.
Charyn Canyon (200 km from Almaty) - the Valley of Castles looks like Mars. We drive you to the canyon by 4x4, you ride the canyon itself on a bike. The Charyn tour is 55,000 KZT, beginner-friendly.
A stop between the rock walls of Charyn
For Experienced Riders: Kolsay Lakes
A full day, difficulty 9 out of 10. This is not a sightseeing ride: mountain trails, river crossings, and a long transfer. An overnight stay is available only by separate arrangement. The Kolsay tour is for riders who already handle unpaved ground confidently; the guide confirms the available route for the selected date.
How to Choose
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| Route | Time | Difficulty | Surface and effort | Seasonal note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BAO | 4 hours | 1/10 | paved climb, steady pace | guide confirms access |
| Kok-Zhailau | 3-4 hours | 2/10 | forest dirt | wet in spring, dusty in summer |
| Japanese Road | 3 hours | 2/10 | rocks and a narrow old road | conditions change after snow |
| Medeu-Butakovka | 5-6 hours | 4/10 | mixed ground, longer saddle time | harder after rain |
| Charyn, Assy, or Kaindy | full day | 3-5/10 | transfer plus a long outdoor route | weather differs from the city |
| Second Kolsay | full day | 9/10 | roots, rocks, and stream crossings | route confirmed before departure |
With no riding experience, start with BAO or Kok-Zhailau. Routes rated 3/10 and above benefit from basic dirt skills; Kolsay is for experienced riders.
All tours include the base bike, guide and full gear. Transfers are included on remote routes. For routes near the city, travel to the start yourself by taxi or public transport; we send you the starting point before the ride. Browse the full catalog.
FAQ
Which route is best for a complete beginner? BAO is rated 1 out of 10 and Kok-Zhailau 2 out of 10. Both can suit a beginner after the briefing, but Kok-Zhailau has more forest dirt.
Can you do a mountain day trip from Almaty and be back the same day? Yes. BAO, Kok-Zhailau, and Medeu leave part of the day for the city, while Kaindy, Charyn, Assy, and Kolsay take the full day.
What is the best season for the Almaty mountains? May through October. July-August is peak season. September is the best month - fewer people, cleaner air. Spring (April-May) roads can be unstable after snowmelt.
What if the weather is bad? We reschedule in heavy rain or hail. In overcast conditions with light rain we usually go - mountain weather changes fast and that's normal. We confirm the day before.
