★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Day Trip · Canyons
Head to Aksai Gorge, a picturesque canyon in the foothills of the Zailiysky Alatau. You'll see an ancient hermitage, the Stone Castle rock, and enjoy mountain landscapes away from the city bustle.
Program
We meet in the city center, board a comfortable vehicle, and head towards the gorge.
Enter the gorge, make the first stop for photos against the backdrop of rocky walls.
Explore the old monastic hermitage, learn its history, and take pictures.
Hike to the Stone Castle rock, one of the main attractions of the gorge.
Stop for a picnic with mountain views (lunch paid separately).
Stroll through the gorge, fill water from a spring, take photos.
Drive back, estimated arrival in the city by 5:00 PM.
What's included
Already included in the tour price
Optional, on site
To make the day comfortable
Team
Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.
★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
★4.52Alexander Пашкин
Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу
★4.74Andrey Шевелёв
Driver-guide
★4.27Анжелика Чвыкова
Гид-фотограф
★4.27Ильяс Дарбеков
Гид-переводчик
★4.55Мадина Данина
Организатор туров
★4.49Сергей Бабичев
Personal guide-водитель
Reviews
Went with a group, everyone was thrilled. The Stone Castle is like from fantasy. The guide is excellent.
Took the trip spontaneously, just wanted to go to the mountains for a day. We had a really great time, the climb to the castle is not difficult, we managed even without preparation. The guide told a lot of interesting things about the gorge and the place itself, it was easy to listen, without memorized phrases.
We took the trip with the whole team after finishing a project, we wanted to unwind. We liked the organization, the guide led confidently, everything on time. The skete looks very picturesque among the rocks, we stayed there longer than planned. We returned to the city by evening, everyone tired but happy.
I had long dreamed of seeing the Stone Castle with my own eyes, I'd heard a lot about it from friends. A wonderful place for photos, the rock is huge, we shot from all sides. The guide showed the best angles and helped with the shots, I wouldn't have found such a place myself.
We chose the tour because of the reviews. Didn't regret it one bit. Kamenny Castle is super. Everything was organized.
Liked that the group was small, no one rushed anyone. The skete is a quiet place for solitude, we stood there in silence and breathed. The guide told interesting stories and answered questions. The only thing is the way back is bumpy, I got a bit carsick.
The skete struck me with its silence and atmosphere. The road is bumpy, but it was worth it. The guide led the group confidently
Went together with my husband, we had long wanted to just stroll in the mountains without rushing. A beautiful place for walks, the trail is not hard, you walk and look around. I liked the skete more than the castle, there's a special kind of calm there. The guide suggested a good route and told us where it's best to stop for photos.
We were looking for a route for the weekend, not far from the city and without crowds. On the advice of friends we took this tour. The skete surprised me, I didn't even know we had something like that, the history of the place really got to me. The guide spoke calmly, without memorized phrases. The Stone Castle looks powerful, especially when the sun falls on the rock. There was enough free time to walk around and take photos. The road back is indeed bumpy, I got a bit carsick, but that's a minor thing. Overall the day turned out full, lots of impressions.
Tur byl ochen' khoroshim. Skit i zamok - eto nechto. Gid vse rasskazal
I went with my friend, she had been inviting me to the mountains for a long time, and I kept putting it off. We finally made it, and it was worth it. The gorge greeted us with sunshine, the rock walls are so impressive they take your breath away. The skete is small and well-kept, you really breathe differently there. We walked to the Stone Castle, the road isn't hard, we managed to chat and look around. The guide told us everything along the way, answered questions, didn't rush us. We had lunch right with a view of the mountains, that's a separate pleasure. We left tired but happy. I want to come back here again.
The Aksai Gorge is a fairy tale. The hermitage is very cozy, the castle is majestic. The guide led the tour.
Gathered with colleagues to unwind after a tough week, wanted to get out of town somewhere. The nature is mesmerizing, especially when you climb up to the rocks and the mountains open up around you. The skete stands in a quiet place, you don't even want to talk there. I recommend it to everyone who loves mountains, the guide organized the trip perfectly, everything went without fuss.
The Aksai Gorge stole our hearts. My family and I were all happy. An excellent organizer.
Gathered with friends for the weekend, wanted an active holiday rather than the city. The rock formations are impressive, especially when the sun falls on the rocks. The guide was our driver, explained everything along the way, clearly and without unnecessary words.
I've been wanting to visit this place for a long time. The tour met my expectations—the hermitage is cozy, the castle is majestic. The guide suggested a great route.
My sister and I decided spontaneously, we wanted to go somewhere in the mountains for a day. On the way, the guide told us about the gorge and the skete, it was interesting to listen. The place itself is very quiet, you feel somehow calm there. The skete is small, but the atmosphere is special, we stood in silence for a long time. Then we went to the Stone Castle, the rock is really huge, we took photos from all sides. On the way back we stopped at a spring and collected water. The guide did everything clearly, without fuss or rush. I recommend it to those who want a day away from the city.
Otlichnyy tur! Skit ochen' krasivyy, zamok prosto potryasayushchiy. Madina organizovala vse
My husband and I were celebrating our anniversary and decided to go to the mountains instead of a restaurant. We had long heard about the Aksai Gorge but never made it there. The guide met us on time, the car was comfortable, and along the way he told us a lot about the nearby places. The skete stands in a secluded corner, it's very quiet there, you can even hear your own breathing. We walked to the Stone Castle without rushing, taking photos against the rocks along the way. The weather was clear, the mountains are visible far away. The spring water is ice-cold, we filled a bottle. Everything went calmly, without haste, exactly what we wanted. We will definitely come here again, maybe in autumn.
Excursion to the gorge was a success, we just left 10 minutes late. Madina helped with the choice.
We had long wanted to see the Stone Castle with our own eyes, we had heard a lot about it. We came as a family, the kids also enjoyed climbing along the trail. The impressions are strong, the views that open up are better one after another. The guide organized everything in advance, all we had to do was enjoy it.
FAQ
We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.
Ask a questionThe tour is a one-day private tour, with no overnight stays and no off-road vehicles: just a car and a walk to the Stone Castle rock, which the guide adjusts to your group's pace. If you are with elderly parents or small children, let us know when booking via WhatsApp — we will adjust the route so that everyone is comfortable.
The main walking part is the walk to the Stone Castle and free time in the gorge, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. The rest of the time you are in the car, so the route is not difficult, but do take a warm jacket or windbreaker: it is cool in the gorge.
Meeting in the centre of Almaty at 09:00, we leave straight away towards the gorge, and we arrive back in the city at approximately 17:00. We will confirm the exact departure time for your date via WhatsApp, as departure days are daily and the time is on request.
The $45 per person already covers the road from Almaty and back by car, the services of a Russian-speaking guide-driver, entry to the gorge territory, water in the car and insurance for the duration of the trip. Only the picnic lunch — $10 per person — and personal expenses or souvenirs, if you want any, are paid separately.
Yes, this is a private tour: you travel as your own group in a separate car with a guide-driver, without other travellers. This format is convenient because the pace of the walk and the photo stops are adjusted to you.
Write to us on WhatsApp with your preferred date and the composition of your group — we will reserve a car with a guide for you without any advance payment. You pay for the private tour in the gorge on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash. If your plans change, cancellation of the booking is free — just write to us on WhatsApp.