Why You Should Book Tours from Almaty in 2026
Almaty — the Perfect Starting Point for Traveling Across Kazakhstan
We at Alatau Tour have been operating since 2014 and we know: Almaty is the gateway to unique natural attractions. In just 1–2 hours, you can find yourself in the mountains of the Zailiysky Alatau, on the shores of the Kapchagay Reservoir, or in the desert canyons of Charyn. Over the years, we’ve seen that tours from Almaty let you see the most in a short vacation. For example, in one day you can visit Charyn Canyon and be back in the city for dinner.
Why 2026 Is a Great Time to Travel
In 2026, new hotels are opening in Almaty, the ski infrastructure at Shymbulak is expanding, and prices for tours from Almaty remain affordable. At Alatau Tour, we design routes so you can catch the tulip bloom in spring, mountain trekking in summer, and skiing in winter. Excursion prices start from 6,900 tenge for a city tour — cheaper than renting a car for a day.
How to Choose a Tour from Almaty by Season
| Parameter | Nearby destinations (1.5–3 hours) | Remote destinations (flight/train) |
|---|
| Examples | Charyn, BAO, Kok-Zhaylyau, Medeu | Turkestan, Mangystau, Altai, Baikonur |
| Tour duration | 1 day (5–12 hours) | 3–5 days |
| What to see | Canyons, lakes, mountains, cable car | Ancient cities, chalk canyons, cosmodrome |
| Price from | 8,900 KZT/person | 120,000 KZT/person |
| Preparation needed | No, suitable for beginners | Yes, physical endurance |
Spring Tours from Almaty (March–May)
In spring, nature awakens, and the best option is to head to gorges with waterfalls. We recommend the Kok-Zhaylau tour (8,900 tenge) — there it’s already green in April, with snow still on the peaks. Or Charyn Canyon (14,900 tenge): no heat in May, perfect for walking through the Valley of Castles. In my opinion, spring is the most photogenic time: the contrast of greenery and rocks.
Summer Tours from Almaty (June–August)
In summer, the top hit is trips to high-mountain lakes. The one-day tour from Alatau Tour to Kolsay (21,900 tenge) lets you swim in turquoise water and breathe mountain air. If you have two days, take Kolsay+Kaindy (39,900 tenge) — overnight at a base and a walk through the submerged forest. For thrill-seekers, there’s BAO by jeep (24,900 tenge): a road with elevation changes and a picnic by the dam.
Prices for Tours from Almaty 2026: Full Price List
| Destination | Duration | Price from (KZT/person) | Tour type |
|---|
| Kok-Zhaylyau trekking | 6 hours | 8,900 | Hiking, group |
| Medeu and Shymbulak (cable car) | 5 hours | 9,900 | Group, bus |
| Big Almaty Lake (BAO) | 6–7 hours | 11,900 | Group, bus |
| Charyn Canyon (Valley of Castles) | 12 hours | 14,900 | Group, bus |
| Sunken forest of Lake Kaindy | 14 hours | 23,900 | Group, bus |
| BAO + space station by jeep | 8 hours | 24,900 | Individual, jeep |
| Borovoe (Burabay) + deer farm | 14 hours | 28,000 | Group, bus |
| Charyn by jeep individually | 12 hours | 28,700 | Individual, jeep |
| Assy Plateau and Turgen Waterfall | 8–11 hours | 34,695 | Group, bus |
| Destination | Duration | Price from (KZT/person) | What’s included |
|---|
| Kolsai Lakes + Kaindy | 2 days / 1 night | 39,900 | Transfer, guide, accommodation, meals, tickets |
| Jeep tour Altyn-Emel (Singing Dune) | 3 days / 2 nights | 54,900 | Transfer, guide, jeep, accommodation, meals |
| Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan) by bus | 4 days / 3 nights | 64,900 | Transfer, guide, accommodation, meals |
| Lake Alakol (therapeutic beaches) | 5 days / 4 nights | 72,900 | Transfer, guide, accommodation, meals |
| Bektau-Ata (Balkhash region) | 3 days | 119,900 | Transfer, guide, accommodation, meals |
| Golden Ring of Turkestan | 3 days / 2 nights | 120,000 | Flight, guide, accommodation, meals, tickets |
| Baikonur: cosmodrome and museum | 3 days / 2 nights | 180,000 | Flight, guide, accommodation, meals, tickets |
| Altai: Bukhtarma and Sibin lakes | 5 days / 4 nights | 180,000 | Flight, guide, accommodation, meals |
| Mangystau: Caspian and chalk canyons | 5 days / 4 nights | 185,000 | Flight, guide, accommodation, meals |
One-Day Excursions from Almaty
- Sightseeing Tour of Almaty — 6,900 tenge per person. Includes the center, Panfilov Park, Green Bazaar.
- Medeu and Shymbulak — 9,900 tenge. Cable car ride, views of the glacier.
- Kok-Zhaylau — 8,900 tenge. Trekking on the plateau, lunch in nature.
- Big Almaty Lake (BAO) — 11,900 tenge. Turquoise lake in the mountains.
- Charyn Canyon — 14,900 tenge. Valley of Castles, picnic.
- Kolsay Lakes in 1 day — 21,900 tenge.
- Kolsay + Kaindy (2 days) — 39,900 tenge.
- BAO by jeep — 24,900 tenge.
Multi-Day Tours from Almaty
- Alakol — 72,900 tenge (3 days, lake with pink flamingos, swimming).
- Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan) — 64,900 tenge (4 days, transfer, accommodation, excursions).
How We Organize Tours from Almaty: A Guide’s Experience
What’s Included in a Tour from Alatau Tour
Each tour includes transfer in a comfortable vehicle, guide-driver services, entrance tickets, insurance, and lunch (for one-day tours). The Alatau Tour guide is a local who knows every trail. In our experience, there have been cases where tourists wanted to change the route along the way — we always accommodate. For example, at Charyn you can stop at a viewpoint not listed in the program.
Safety and Comfort in the Mountains
We use only proven jeeps and minibuses with air conditioning. At Alatau Tour, we take groups of up to 10 people so everyone is comfortable. Before the trip, we check the weather and warn about the route’s difficulty. Over the years, we’ve never had a breakdown due to equipment — that’s our pride.
Tour from Almaty with a Guide or Independently: Which Is More Profitable
Advantages of a Guided Tour
With a guide, you don’t waste time finding the road, you’re not afraid of getting lost, and you get local tips. For example, at Kolsay the guide knows where to take the best photos without crowds. At Alatau Tour, we often hear from guests: ‘Without you, we wouldn’t have found this place.’ Saving time is the main bonus: in one day you can see 2–3 locations, whereas on your own you’d see one.
When an Independent Trip Is Justified
If you’re an experienced traveler with an SUV and want complete freedom, you can go on your own. But keep in mind: at BAO there’s often no signal, and the road to Kolsay requires a permit for the national park. In our experience, tourists who went on their own sometimes returned empty-handed due to a closed gate. A tour from Alatau Tour eliminates all these risks.
What to Remember Before Your Trip
Key Rules for Tourists in Almaty
We’ve covered the main points to make your trip comfortable. First, dress according to the weather: even in summer, it can be cold in the mountains, so bring a windbreaker. Second, drink plenty of water — altitude puts strain on the body. Third, respect nature: don’t leave trash, don’t pick flowers. And finally, book tours in advance, especially during the season (May–September), to guarantee a spot. Have a great trip!