Where to stay near Shymbulak and Medeu: a hotel by the lifts, cabins or chalets
Last updated 27 October 2026
There are four places to stay on the road from Medeu to Shymbulak ski resort on Karavanta: Shymbulak Resort Hotel, 100 metres from the lifts; SarySai boutique hotel with cabins; Shymbulak Medeu Camp with tents and cabins; and the two Nero & Bianca chalets for a group. Prices per night start at ₸35,000 for a tent for two and ₸40,000 for a standard room at the hotel by the lifts; the Nero chalet costs from ₸500,000 for the whole chalet. Breakfast is included everywhere and all four places are open all year. Prices are in Kazakhstani tenge (₸).
The four options compared
Full prices per night, as of 27 October 2026. Hotels often discount some dates: you pay the same price as on the hotel's own website for your dates, and our coordinator confirms it when you book.
| Place | What it is | Guests | From (per night) | Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shymbulak Resort Hotel | Hotel, 51 rooms, about 2,300 m, 100 m from the lifts | 2–5 per room, hostel beds | ₸40,000 standard room; hostel bed ₸15,000 | breakfast, sauna, outdoor pool heated to 32° |
| SarySai boutique hotel | Boutique hotel with rooms and separate cabins, up to 28 guests | 2 adults plus 1–2 children | ₸60,000 (junior suite); cabin for two ₸90,000 | breakfast, SarySai Coffee on site |
| Shymbulak Medeu Camp | Glamping: tents and cabins, each with a private bathroom | tent or cabin for two, up to 4 with extra beds | ₸35,000 (tent for two); cabin for two ₸45,000 | breakfast, private bathroom |
| Nero & Bianca | Two chalets, each with three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, pool and sauna | up to 6 guests per chalet | Nero from ₸500,000 per chalet (May to November) | breakfast, pool with sauna |
Shymbulak Resort Hotel
A hotel at Shymbulak mountain resort, at about 2,300 m, 100 metres from the gondola from Medeu and the chairlift. 51 rooms, from a standard double (₸40,000) to a super suite for four (₸185,000), family rooms for 4–5 guests, and beds in a shared hostel (₸15,000 per guest). Breakfast, sauna and an outdoor pool heated to 32° are included. Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Not included: the Medeu to Shymbulak transfer (₸4,000 per car of 4 seats, 20 minutes), ski pass and equipment rental. Open all year.
SarySai boutique hotel
A small boutique hotel on the road from Medeu to Shymbulak, with rooms and separate cabins with mountain views, for up to 28 guests. Categories: junior suite (₸60,000), small family room without terrace (₸75,000) and with terrace (₸80,000), cabin for two (₸90,000), large family room for two adults and two children (₸100,000). Breakfast is included and SarySai Coffee is on site. Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Not included: the Medeu to SarySai transfer (₸3,000 per car, 15 minutes). A small pet (up to 20 cm tall) can stay in the cabin for two (the yellow cabin) for an extra ₸5,000 per night. Open all year.
Shymbulak Medeu Camp
A glamping site in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains on the road from Medeu to Shymbulak: chalet-style cabins and tents, each with a private bathroom. A tent for two costs ₸35,000 per night and a cabin for two ₸45,000; you can add up to two extra beds (₸15,000 each), for up to 4 guests in total. Breakfast is included. On site: a padel court, a basketball court, a children's playground, a bar and a shop. Open all year. Parking is not included.
Nero & Bianca
Two chalets in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains near Shymbulak. Each has three bedrooms with terrace access, a living room, a kitchen, a large dining table, and a pool with sauna. The chalet is rented whole, for up to 6 guests. Nero costs ₸500,000 per night from May to November and ₸1,000,000 from December to April. Bianca opens for the winter season (₸900,000 per night, December to April). Breakfast is included. A private chef, spa, guided hikes and horse rides are available on request for an extra charge. Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Open all year.
How to choose
- You want to be next to the lifts: Shymbulak Resort Hotel, 100 metres from the gondola and chairlift.
- A smaller room or a separate cabin with breakfast: SarySai or Medeu Camp.
- The lowest prices on our cards: a hostel bed at Shymbulak Resort Hotel (₸15,000 per guest) or a tent at Medeu Camp (₸35,000 for two).
- A group or large family that wants a whole house: the Nero chalet (up to 6 guests).
- Travelling with a small pet: the cabin for two at SarySai (up to 20 cm tall, ₸5,000 per night extra).
Getting there
The transfer from Medeu is not included and runs all year, including winter: to SarySai ₸3,000 per car, 15 minutes; to Shymbulak ₸4,000 per car of 4 seats, 20 minutes. Guests are met in Medeu at the Gogra restaurant, opposite the cable car (Kerey-Zhanibek Khandar St, 558/1A).
How to book on Karavanta
Send a free request on the page of the place you like. Within 24 hours our coordinator checks dates and price with the hotel and sends a confirmation with the amounts. You pay the hotel directly by invoice: Karavanta does not take travellers' money. Terms for this season: full payment within 24 hours of booking; if you cancel, the first night is kept and the rest is refunded.
Places to stay
Frequently asked questions
- Which place is closest to the lifts?
- Shymbulak Resort Hotel: about 100 metres from the gondola from Medeu and the chairlift.
- How much does it cost?
- From ₸35,000 for a tent for two at Medeu Camp and from ₸40,000 for a standard room at Shymbulak Resort Hotel; the Nero chalet from ₸500,000 for the whole chalet. Our coordinator confirms the exact price for your dates.
- Is breakfast included?
- Yes, at all four places.
- Is the transfer included?
- No. Medeu to SarySai is ₸3,000 per car, Medeu to Shymbulak is ₸4,000 per car of 4 seats. It runs in winter too.
- Where do I meet the transfer, and how long is the drive?
- In Medeu, at the Gogra restaurant opposite the cable car. It takes 15 minutes to SarySai and 20 minutes to Shymbulak.
- Can I cancel?
- The first night is always kept and the rest is refunded: if you paid for three nights, you get two back.
- Are all four open all year?
- Yes. One note: the Bianca chalet opens for the winter season; until then Nero is available.
- Can I come with children?
- At SarySai every category is for two adults and one or two children; at Shymbulak Resort Hotel several room types have an extra bed for a child up to and including 14.
- Can I bring a pet?
- Yes, at SarySai: a pet up to 20 cm tall, in the cabin for two (the yellow cabin), for an extra ₸5,000 per night. For the other places, pets are not confirmed: ask our coordinator.
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