Big Shymbulak falls
Big Shymbulak Falls sits in a deep, narrow canyon in Kazakhstan, about 400 meters from the main gorge. A 20-meter-high stream pours from a rock wall. The fall’s height, flow, and power are similar to Medvezhy Falls in Turgen Gorge. Heavy spring rain makes it stronger; in spring and early summer it’s hard to get close, and the spray can drench you. If you cross the river, there’s a hill with a viewing deck that stays relatively dry.
The water has carved a deep pool at the bottom of the gorge, up to 2 meters deep. The pool is very cold, because the water comes from glaciers. There are no spruce forests in the area; on the lower slopes you’ll find apricot trees and shrubs such as barberry and rose hips, with many prickly plants. For longer hikes, the lack of firewood is a drawback. Shrub vegetation continues up to about 2,200–2,400 meters where the Maybulak river joins.
The site sits at about 1,340 meters above sea level. The nearest settlement is Kargaly village, 10 km away. The gorge is in the western part of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, part of the Northern Tian Shan range; Factory Gorge is about 50 km west of Almaty. To reach the waterfall you go through the village to the water supply zone and then hike about 8 km. The area is not protected, and the gorge is not within a national park. It is a quiet, natural environment with no tourist infrastructure.
The best times to visit are April–June and August–October. The falls can be spectacular at any time of day, including at night. Mobile service is weak, and there are no signs, food points, or viewing platforms.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 06:03 (CET).