Almaty, 30 October. Almaty has launched an online service, Almaty Hike, where tourists can report a planned mountain route in advance and check in after their return, it was announced at a briefing of the Regional Communications Service.
The project was prepared by the environmental prosecutor’s office, according to Lifenews. Since the start of 2026 more than 430 search operations have been carried out in the mountains around Almaty, more than 700 people have been rescued, 145 of them minors, and 123 people were injured. People most often got lost in the Big Almaty Gorge and around Shymbulak. Almaty’s environmental prosecutor Arman Nugirbekov explained that the service is needed to know how many tourists go into the mountains, remind them of safety rules and the weather, help rescuers and speed up aid in case of injury.
Registration is possible on the website or via a QR code posted on buses and at stops on routes to the mountain areas and national parks, as well as at the Gorelnik, Edelweiss, Sarysai, Butakty and Ayusai visitor centres and at the Shymbulak mountain resort. A user fills in a form, giving a phone number and details of where the trek starts; after returning, they need to go back to the site and close the registration.
Asked whether liability should be introduced for parents who let children into dangerous routes without adults, and whether rescue operations should be paid for, Nugirbekov said that in Europe a helicopter lift costs about 3,000 euros, whereas here all rescue resources are paid from the budget. The question, he said, is under consideration and he hopes a decision will be made.
What it means: The service collects three things for rescuers: where a tourist entered the mountains, how to reach them and whether they have returned. Judging by the reports on the launch, registration is voluntary: they do not mention any obligation.
What to do: Before a trek, plan the route in advance, check the weather forecast, assess your strength and report your departure through Almaty Hike. After returning, close the registration on the site. Damir Yermagambetov, head of Almaty’s Department for Emergency Situations, advises the same, Lifenews reports.
Background: In 2025 Tengrinews reported that an order of the Emergency Situations Ministry requires tourists to notify the territorial unit in advance of a trek into the mountains, via the eQonaq app, by e-mail or by calling 112. How that procedure relates to Almaty Hike is not specified in the reports on the service’s launch. According to Lifenews, Almaty’s rescuers have 60 vehicles and two helicopters at their disposal.
