Hike to Butakovskiy Waterfall

Visit one of the largest waterfalls (15m) in the Butakovka gorge near Almaty

More details about the Butakovskiy Waterfall

hiking tour in Almaty mountains, Kazakhstan

COMPLEXITY

Easy
for people of average fitness

DISTANCE

Hike: 6,2 km one way
Elevation gain: 950 m

LANGUAGE

English, Czech, Spanish

BACKPACK

Light,
take only basic things and snacks

DURATION

about 6-7 hours

SEASON

Year-round

Timeline of the tour to the Butakovskiy Waterfall

09:00 – 09:15
09:00 – 09:15
Meeting point
We will meet in the city center or near your hotel to get to the starting point together with a guide
09:15 – 09:40
09:15 – 09:40
Medeo
We start our hike from Medeo ice rink, to the Kimassar gorge.
09:40 – 10:15
09:40 – 10:15
Kimassar pass
We will hike at a leisurely pace and admire the birch grove leading to the Kimassar Pass. After rain, many mushrooms grow in this forest. After the pass, the trail descends through a pine forest.
10:15– 12:00
10:15– 12:00
Camping
We arrive at a campsite in the Butakovsky Gorge and take another break. Ahead is a long, gentle climb, and after crossing the river, the final stretch to the waterfall.
12:30 – 13:00
12:30 – 13:00
Butakovskiy waterfall
Finally, we've arrived! We will admire the beauty of the waterfall and the sheer cliffs that seem to "guard" it. We will take memorable photos and have a snack near the waterfall.
14:00 – 17:00
14:00 – 17:00
Back to the city
After lunch, return to the city. We can go back the same way to Medeu, or through the Butakovsky Gorge if you don't want to climb the pass again.

List of essentials for hiking to the Butakovskiy Waterfall

Essentials
  • Passport (border guard document check)
  • Some cash
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Trekking poles
  • Seat mats (optional)
Food
  • Water 0.5l-1l
  • Thermos with tea
  • Lunch (sandwiches, pancakes, pies, etc.)
Clothes (summer)
  • Trekking shirt
  • Fleece jacket\Hoodie
  • Raincoat\Hardshell jacket
  • Trekking trousers
  • Sun hat and buff
  • Trekking shoes\boots
Clothes
(winter)
  • Long sleeve (thermal)
  • Fleece jacket\hoodie
  • Snow pants
  • Demi-season/winter boots
  • Jacket
  • Woolen beanie and gloves
  • Warm socks
  • Headlamp
  • Gaiters
  • Crampons
What is included in the price of the Butakovskiy Waterfall tour?
Included
Hotel pickup/drop-off
Guide service
Basic first aid kit
Photo report
Consultation
Transportation (Almaty-Medeu-Almaty)
Snacks
Not included
Porter service
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Lunch (sandwiches, pancakes, pies, etc.)
Trekking poles (available for rent)

Price for a day hiking tour to Butakovskiy Waterfall

1 person
$180
2 persons
$200
$100/pp
3 persons
$250
$84/pp
4 persons
$280
$70/pp
5 persons
$300
$60/pp
over 5 people
calculated individually

Request a call

Height of Butakovsky waterfall

There are two waterfalls in Butakovskiy gorge. The Lower Butakovskiy waterfall is higher and more picturesque. Its height is 30 meters. The Upper Butakovskiy waterfall is located higher up the gorge, it is about 20 meters high.

How difficult is the trail to Butakovskiy waterfall?

TIME: The hike from Medeo to Butakovsky Waterfall takes about 3-4 hours, depending on the participants' physical fitness. Initially, the route follows an asphalt road from the Medeo sports complex (approximately 20 minutes), then a trail leading up to the Kimassar Pass, which directly leads into the Butakovsky Gorge. From the campsite to Butakovsky Waterfall, it's about a 40-minute hike.
TERRAIN: The trails are well-trodden and pleasant, with some steepe sections.
PARTICIPANTS: This hike is suitable for beginners and accessible to people with average physical fitness.

How to prepare for a hike to the Butakovskiy Waterfall?

First of all, refer to the information block with a list of essentials for this hike.
If you have any questions, write to us on WhatsApp. If you have any diseases that require regular medication, you shall take the medications with you, and also warn the guide in advance about any medical contraindications (especially heart disease, pressure drops).
It is forbidden to take alcohol and drugs on the hike.
Before hiking in the mountains, have a enough sleep, have a good breakfast in the morning and take at least 1 liter of water.
The sun is more intense in the mountains, so take a Panama hat, sunscreen and glasses.
Always take a raincoat or waterproof wind jacket - the weather in the mountains is unpredictable!
Remember that you are solely responsible for your health - be careful!

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