Turgen Waterfalls
Turgen Waterfalls
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Turgen Waterfalls and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Attractions
4 within 10 kms
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
21 reviews
Excellent
10
Very good
8
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
PatrickM_Travels
Almaty, Kazakhstan1,806 contributions
Mar 2021
We visited in late-March 2021 and we were surprised to find the road blocked at the location of Kafe Akbulak. It was the manner in which the road was blocked that was so unwelcoming -- there was just a random car, like a Toyota Rav4, parked cattycorner across the road, not letting anyone through. There was nothing official about it and it felt kind of shady. It did not have government license plates. Like they were blocking the road there so that you'd have to visit the cafe... or like, who do we need to bribe for them to move this car so we can keep going? The whole experience put off a bad vibe. We found one person to ask if we could continue to drive to Batan, and she said no, that we could walk only. This was disappointing news, because from Kafe Akbulak to Kajrakskij Waterfall and back would be almost 30.5km (19mi) roundtrip hike, which we were not prepared for.
So, to salvage the day, we parked at Kafe Akbulak and put on our walking shoes and headed up the road on foot. We ended up walking about 4 miles up (8mi roundtrip). The views in the gorge are okay and the river sounds are quite wonderful. In March, nothing was in bloom yet, so it was rather gray. But it was nice to be outside anyway. Since we walked almost all the way to Batan, we saw that the road was perfectly passable. There was no apparent reason for anyone to be blocking the road below, and actually we encountered four cars that did indeed figure out how to get through the roadblock at the cafe. These people did not live there -- they were tourists -- they got out of the car and took some photos. So, who did they bribe at the cafe to let them through?
Anyway, the park authorities really should look into this because the whole situation was very shady. I will not return until I hear that this has been resolved.
So, to salvage the day, we parked at Kafe Akbulak and put on our walking shoes and headed up the road on foot. We ended up walking about 4 miles up (8mi roundtrip). The views in the gorge are okay and the river sounds are quite wonderful. In March, nothing was in bloom yet, so it was rather gray. But it was nice to be outside anyway. Since we walked almost all the way to Batan, we saw that the road was perfectly passable. There was no apparent reason for anyone to be blocking the road below, and actually we encountered four cars that did indeed figure out how to get through the roadblock at the cafe. These people did not live there -- they were tourists -- they got out of the car and took some photos. So, who did they bribe at the cafe to let them through?
Anyway, the park authorities really should look into this because the whole situation was very shady. I will not return until I hear that this has been resolved.
Written 20 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roel P
Ghent, Belgium202 contributions
Aug 2019
This waterfall is a 1300m walk from the road. It's actually a pretty nice place when it is not full of litter. Entrance to the park is relatively cheap. Worth the visit when returning to Almaty.
Written 6 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr. Ron F
Jerusalem, Israel95 contributions
Aug 2018
To start from the end - the waterfalls are not very impressive, and walking 7-8 km to the Kairak waterfalls and back on the same footpath (total of c. 15 km) could be disappointing if all you want is to reach the waterfalls. However, the path itself along the running river is nice with many flowers and butterflies during August. It's climbing steadily some 400 meters in height, but in a moderate slope, that is becoming steeper in the last kilometer before the waterfall. It took us about 3 hours uphill, and 2 hours downhill (same way). Allow an extra hour or 2 for rest along the way.
Written 12 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hamid Al Ali
Dubai, United Arab Emirates1,389 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
From the main road it’s an easy one kilometer and three hundred meters hike up the mountain , the hike it self is interesting because you are basically walking next to the downstream from the river coming down from the waterfall.
There’s a bit of tricky part just at the end of the rout and just before reaching the waterfall but it’s not that difficult.
The waterfall fall it self is beautiful and does deserve the drive and the hike. I highly recommend to combine it with visiting Lake Issyk.
There’s a bit of tricky part just at the end of the rout and just before reaching the waterfall but it’s not that difficult.
The waterfall fall it self is beautiful and does deserve the drive and the hike. I highly recommend to combine it with visiting Lake Issyk.
Written 14 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irene P
Paris, France144 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Be prepared to spend whole day there. Good only for fit people, since it takes 1.5-2 hrs to go up and 1 hr to come back. The road is uneven, with stones and slopes.
Written 6 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingTurgen Waterfalls - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Turgen Waterfalls
- Attractions near Turgen Waterfalls:
- (2.10 km) Turgenskoye Gorge
- (5.75 km) Kairakskiy Waterfall
- (0.56 km) Batan Visitor Center