At an altitude of 3,650 meters (12,000 feet), time seems to freeze, while light filtering through the layers of translucent blue ice transforms the cave into a portal to another world.
At this altitude, where the air is thin and the icy wind cuts to the bone, you feel as though you’ve reached the edge of the Earth. Towering among the snow-capped peaks of the Zailiysky Alatau, the Bogdanovich Glacier is a frozen river of time, concealing Kazakhstan’s largest ice cave within its depths.
October Cave: The Turquoise Depth
The October Cave (1,390 meters long), hidden within the glacier, stuns visitors with its sheer size and the clarity of its ancient ice, preserving entire epochs in its frozen layers. Just half a kilometer from Shymbulak, it feels like stepping into an icebound world.
On the Edge of a Snow-Covered World
Up close, the glacier is both harsh and mesmerizing. The jagged mountain ridges, the stark contrast of rock, snow, and ice—this is nature in its rawest form, both unforgiving and breathtakingly beautiful. The glacier stands timeless, a silent witness to the passage of centuries.
Inside the Ice Arch
Carved deep into the glacier, the October Cave is an awe-inspiring ice cathedral where time stands still. Sunlight pierces through thick layers of ice, illuminating embedded stones frozen for millennia. Even in the presence of other visitors, a profound sense of solitude takes over—standing in the cave, you feel the weight of time itself.
How to Get There
Reaching the Bogdanovich Glacier is easier than it seems. From Almaty, take a 30-minute drive to Shymbulak, then ride the cable car up to 3,200 meters ($15 round trip). From there, it’s a 500-meter trek uphill across packed snow. The path is well-trodden, and experienced hikers will find it manageable, but for beginners, the climb may be a challenge. The key is to keep moving forward, step by step—the breathtaking views at the top make every effort worthwhile.
A few tips for those who want to follow the route. Weekends are busy, so arrive at the cable car station by 9 AM to avoid long waits. Winter is the best time to visit, as the glacier remains stable. Weather can change rapidly, so be prepared for sudden shifts in temperature. Be sure to bring ice cleats or crampons to avoid slipping.
Pack light—take water, a small snack, a cap or hat, sunglasses, and a multifunctional buff to protect your face from the sun. Wear a warm jacket, and choose pants and shoes suited for mountain trails. If you’re traveling through Almaty, you can leave excess luggage at the cable car station’s storage lockers—a convenient option for those on tight schedules.
The mountains demand respect and preparation, but every moment spent in this frozen wonderland fills you with awe and gratitude. And perhaps, after witnessing the grandeur of these ice-clad landscapes, you’ll find yourself drawn back again—to rediscover, to be humbled, and to stand in the presence of something truly timeless.
Plan Your Trip
- Getting there: Almaty to Shymbulak (30 min), cable car to 3,200 m, 500 m hike.
- Cable car: Round-trip ticket from Medeo to Shymbulak: $15.
- Best time to visit: December–March, when the glacier is most stable.
- What to bring: Ice grips, sunglasses, warm jacket, snacks, water.
- Insider tip: Use the luggage storage at the cable car station to leave unnecessary items before your hike.
The material was published in Travel+Leisure Central Asia magazine (July 2025)
