Things to Do in Almaty in July
July weather, activities, events & insider tips
July Weather in Almaty
Is July Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak mountain season with full access to hiking trails above 2,500 m (8,200 ft) - snow has completely melted by July, opening routes to Big Almaty Lake and Kok-Zhailau plateau that are inaccessible until mid-June
- Apricot season hits its stride in early July with fruit markets overflowing with fresh uruk, Aport apples starting to appear, and roadside stands selling produce at 200-400 KZT per kg (roughly 50-90 cents USD per 2.2 lbs)
- Long daylight hours with sunset around 9:30 PM give you genuinely useful time after the midday heat passes - locals schedule evening activities for 6-8 PM when temperatures drop to comfortable 23-25°C (73-77°F)
- Medeu ice rink operates in summer mode as an events venue while the surrounding trails are in perfect condition, and you can take the cable car up to Shymbulak where temperatures stay 5-7°C (9-13°F) cooler than the city below
Considerations
- Afternoon thunderstorms roll in quickly from the mountains, typically between 3-6 PM, and while they usually pass in 30-45 minutes, they can trap you on exposed trails - locals check weather apps obsessively and start descending by 2 PM
- Peak domestic tourism season means Kazakh families from across the country visit during school holidays, so weekend trails and the Kok-Tobe cable car see 2-3 times normal crowds, with wait times stretching to 45 minutes on Saturday mornings
- Air quality can deteriorate during heat waves when temperatures push past 32°C (90°F) and stagnant air traps vehicle emissions in the valley - the mountains create a natural bowl effect that occasionally holds pollution for 2-3 days
Best Activities in July
Big Almaty Lake and Tian Shan Mountain Hiking
July is genuinely the best month for accessing alpine trails that remain snow-covered until June. Big Almaty Lake sits at 2,511 m (8,238 ft) and the turquoise water reaches its most photogenic state in July when glacial melt is at peak flow. The road is fully accessible, though you'll need to arrange transport since it's 28 km (17.4 miles) from the city center. Temperatures at the lake hover around 15-18°C (59-64°F) even when the city swelters, making midday hikes actually pleasant. Start early - most tours leave around 8-9 AM to avoid afternoon storms and crowds. The trail to the Cosmic Ray Observatory adds another 300 m (984 ft) of elevation and takes about 90 minutes round trip.
Charyn Canyon Day Excursions
The canyon sits 200 km (124 miles) east of Almaty in a completely different climate zone - hot and dry rather than humid. July temperatures reach 35-38°C (95-100°F) in the canyon itself, which sounds brutal but actually works if you time it right. The red rock formations create dramatic shadows in early morning and late afternoon, and the heat keeps crowds manageable midweek. The Valley of Castles trail takes 1.5-2 hours and drops 100 m (328 ft) to the Charyn River where it's noticeably cooler. Most tours leave Almaty around 6-7 AM, spend 3-4 hours at the canyon, and return by 3 PM. Bring at least 2 liters (68 oz) of water per person - there's minimal shade and the dry heat is deceptive.
Shymbulak Mountain Resort Activities
The ski resort transforms in summer into a legitimate escape from city heat. Cable car rides take you from 2,260 m (7,415 ft) to 3,200 m (10,499 ft) where temperatures stay around 12-18°C (54-64°F) even in peak July heat. The upper station has hiking trails ranging from easy 30-minute loops to challenging 3-hour climbs toward Talgar Pass. Mountain biking trails opened in 2024 with rentals available at the mid-station. The cable car operates 9 AM to 6 PM daily, and the ride itself takes about 25 minutes with spectacular views of the valley. Weekends see heavy crowds - go on Tuesday or Wednesday if possible. You can reach the lower station by bus 12 from the city center, though most visitors take taxis for 2,500-3,500 KZT one way.
Green Bazaar and Central Almaty Food Walking Tours
July brings peak produce season and the Green Bazaar becomes genuinely impressive with stalls overflowing with apricots, cherries, early apples, and mountains of herbs. The covered market stays relatively cool even when outside temperatures hit 30°C (86°F). Food walking tours typically start around 10 AM, spend 90 minutes at the bazaar, then move through Panfilov Park and the surrounding neighborhoods hitting traditional Kazakh restaurants, Soviet-era cafeterias, and Central Asian plov houses. You'll taste beshbarmak, kurt (dried cheese balls that are an acquired taste), fresh kumis if you're adventurous, and various bread types from tandoor ovens. Most tours last 3-4 hours and include 6-8 tasting stops.
Kolsai Lakes Multi-Day Trekking
For serious hikers, the three Kolsai Lakes sit 330 km (205 miles) southeast of Almaty near the Kyrgyz border and offer the best alpine lake trekking in the region. July is ideal because all three lakes are accessible - the third lake at 2,850 m (9,350 ft) stays snow-covered until late June. The first lake has guesthouses and yurt camps, while reaching the second and third lakes requires hiking 6-8 hours with elevation gains of 600-800 m (1,969-2,625 ft). July weather is stable enough for overnight camping, though afternoon storms still happen. Most visitors spend 2-3 days, combining Kolsai with nearby Kaindy Lake which has its famous submerged forest. Water temperature stays around 10-12°C (50-54°F) - swimmable for the brave.
Tamgaly Tas Petroglyphs and Ili River Excursions
This UNESCO site sits 170 km (106 miles) north of Almaty along the Ili River and sees far fewer tourists than Charyn Canyon despite being equally impressive. The Buddhist rock carvings date to the 14th-16th centuries and the site sits in a dramatic river gorge. July heat reaches 33-36°C (91-97°F) but the river provides cooling options - some tours include short boat trips or swimming breaks. The drive takes you through steppe landscape that's completely different from the mountain zones, giving you a sense of Kazakhstan's geographic diversity. Most tours combine Tamgaly Tas with stops at the Kapchagai Reservoir for lunch. Total trip time runs 8-10 hours.
July Events & Festivals
Almaty City Day
Celebrated annually in mid-September, NOT in July - worth noting because many sources incorrectly list summer dates. If you're looking for July festivals, your options are limited as Kazakhstan's major holidays fall in other months.
Local Summer Concerts at Kok-Tobe
Throughout July, the Kok-Tobe hilltop park hosts weekend evening concerts featuring Kazakh pop artists and traditional music groups. These aren't formal festivals but rather ongoing summer programming. Shows typically start around 7-8 PM when temperatures cool down. Free with park admission which runs around 1,000 KZT. Check local event listings when you arrive as schedules change weekly.