For fantastic aerial views of the Almaty region why not book a hot air balloon ride with lady pilot Galina Kosjakova? The two launch sites aren’t far from the city centre and it’s possible to take to the skies between the hours of 7 and 8am and 7 and 8pm. Trips cost $400 an hour for two people and can be organised year-round apart from during the extremely cold phase of winter and times when the air pollution in the city is particularly bad. Galina speaks Russian only. Note that Silk Road Adventures can also organise balloon trips.