Tour from Almaty

Balkhash Three-Day Trip — Beach and Steppe Sunsets

4.9 · 22 reviews

Three days on the southern shore of Balkhash: warm shallow water, sandy beaches, and evenings by the fire. Transport, lodging, and three meals a day included.

WhenFri–Sun
Duration3 days / 2 nights
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $110/person

Program

Tour itinerary: Balkhash Three-Day Trip — Beach and Steppe Sunsets

Day 1

Departure and accommodation

Early in the morning, depart from Almaty by bus. The journey will take about six hours with rest stops. On arrival at the southern shore of Balkhash — check-in and lunch. In the evening, a walk along the shore and swimming in the warm water.

Day 2

Beach Relaxation

Morning on the beach: swimming, water games. During the day, you can take a sun lounger and read, or go for a walk along the shore. In the evening — dinner and time by the campfire, watching the sunset.

Day 3

Farewell to the Lake

Breakfast, then free time for a last swim. After lunch, pack up and depart for Almaty. Arrival late in the evening.

What's included

What is included: Balkhash Three-Day Trip — Beach and Steppe Sunsets

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transport along the whole route
  • An experienced guide accompanying you
  • Route and stops planning

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Personal expenses
  • Meals, unless stated otherwise
  • Entrance tickets to individual sites

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Water and a light snack
  • A charged phone or camera
  • A hat and sun protection

Team

Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty

Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.

Aidos Serikov — Senior guide, mountain routes★4.9

Aidos Serikov

Senior guide, mountain routes

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Dinara Kassymova — Guide-lecturer in Almaty★5

Dinara Kassymova

Guide-lecturer in Almaty

142 review · experience 11 years

Marat Zhunussov — Trekking instructor★4.8

Marat Zhunussov

Trekking instructor

96 reviews · experience 9 years

Oleg Kim — Driver-guide, jeep tours★4.9

Oleg Kim

Driver-guide, jeep tours

164 review · experience 13 years

Zhanna Abenova — Tour manager★4.8

Zhanna Abenova

Tour manager

78 reviews · experience 7 years

Timur Beketov — Multi-day tour guide★4.9

Timur Beketov

Multi-day tour guide

118 reviews · experience 10 years

Aliya Nurlan — Group coordinator★5

Aliya Nurlan

Group coordinator

64 review · experience 6 years

Sergey Volkov — Instructor, ski tours★4.8

Sergey Volkov

Instructor, ski tours

103 review · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the 3-day Balkhash tour

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
DA
Diana A.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

My sister and I had long wanted to get out into nature, and this tour to Balkhash fit our schedule. In August the water is no longer as warm as in July, but you can swim. The bus took about six hours, with stops, so we got there fine. They fed us three times a day, the food is simple but tasty. I especially liked the evenings by the fire and the sunsets. The downside is mosquitoes, but we brought repellent. Overall we had a good rest, I recommend it.

Verified review · Order #46707
VG
Vitaliy G.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We vacationed at Balkhash in August. The water is warm as fresh milk, the sunsets are magnificent. Everything is organized clearly.

Verified review · Order #35617
DO
Denis O.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

My friends and I went to Balkhash in August to take a break from the city. We liked everything, but the bus took a long time.

Verified review · Order #35377
OY
Olzhas Ya.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

With friends we decided to go to Balkhash in July. Bus, accommodation, food — everything is fine, but we would like more free time.

Verified review · Order #34855
AD
Anara D.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went with colleagues for a corporate event in June. We liked that everything is included, and you don't have to come up with anything.

Verified review · Order #33797
LB
Laura B.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

My husband and I had long wanted to get out to the lake, but it never worked out. Friends recommended this three-day tour, and we decided to go. We went in June, the weather was excellent — hot during the day, cool in the evening, so we took windbreakers. The bus from Almaty took about six hours, with stops, quite tolerable. On arrival we were immediately checked in and given lunch. The beach is clean, the water is warm and shallow — ideal for swimming. In the evenings we sat by the fire, watched the sunsets. We returned late, but satisfied. Thanks for the organization!

Verified review · Order #33521
YE
Yana E.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

My husband and I had long wanted to rest at the lake, but didn't want to go far. This three-day tour to Balkhash seemed like an ideal option. In August the water is already a bit cooler, but you can swim. We liked that everything is included: travel, food, accommodation. In the evening by the fire it was very soulful. The only thing, it was a bit stuffy on the bus. But these are trifles, the impressions from the sunsets outweigh everything.

Verified review · Order #26487
BA
Bauyrzhan A.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went to Balkhash in August, the water is warm, the vacation was wonderful.

Verified review · Order #26102
MK
Marat K.
Google ·
★★★★★

We vacationed with family at Balkhash in July. The water is very warm, the children didn't get out of the water. The beach is sandy, clean. The bus is big, we rode six hours with stops. Three meals a day, quite edible. In the evening it's nice to sit by the fire, the sunsets are beautiful. As for downsides — on the first day check-in dragged on, but these are trifles. Overall we liked it, I recommend.

Verified review · Order #25539
SI
Sergey I.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went to Balkhash in July. The water is warm, the beach is sandy, we liked everything.

Verified review · Order #24942
GK
Galina Kh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We went to Balkhash with Timur, had a wonderful rest. Great for a family vacation.

Verified review · Order #24742
SD
Sanzhar D.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

My friends and I decided to go to Balkhash in June and took this tour. We liked everything, but the bus was a bit old.

Verified review · Order #24139
AM
Aizhan M.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We took the tour spontaneously with my sister, wanted to rest from the city. In June it's good at Balkhash, but it's fresh in the mornings.

Verified review · Order #23686
KN
Kamila N.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In June I went with a friend, the weather was great. Timur organized everything and told interesting facts about Balkhash. I liked that you don't have to think about food and transport.

Verified review · Order #23393
AP
Aibek P.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

A neighbor recommended this tour, we went with family in August. The water is warm, the beach is good, but the bus was a bit tiring.

Verified review · Order #16926
KL
Kamila L.
Google ·
★★★★★

My s sestroy reshili poehat na Balhash na tri dnya, chtoby otmestit ee den rozhdeniya. Eto byl avgust, pogoda otlichnaya, no voda uzhe nemnogo prohladnaya. Avtobus sher shest chasov, no my znali na chto idem. Kormili vkusno, tri raza v den. Osobenno ponravilis vecher u kostra i zakaty. Edinstvennyy minus - komary, no eto ne kritichno. Vse organizovano na urovne, bez nervov. Spasibo za otdyh!

Verified review · Order #16287
DK
Diana K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

My ezdili na Balhash v iyule, i eto bylo klassno. Voda ochen teplaya, dazhe vecherom kupaeshsya bez problem. No avtobus shel chut dolshe chem ozhidali, iz-za ostanovok. Kormili tri raza v den, vse svezhee. Zakat nad ozerom prosto volshebnyy. Edinstvennyy minus - komary vecheron, berite spray. V celom za eti dengi otlichno. Spasibo!

Verified review · Order #15628
BB
Bekzat B.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My wife and I went to celebrate our anniversary, Aliya helped us get ready and explained everything. It's hot in July, but it's nice at the lake.

Verified review · Order #15218
AL
Arman L.
Our website ·
★★★★★

With friends we decided to celebrate my birthday in nature, chose this tour to Balkhash. Zhanna helped book the date, explained everything over the phone. We rode the bus for six hours, but with stops it's tolerable. The water in July is very warm, we swam until night. They fed us well, three times a day. The only thing, we would like more time on the beach on the second day. Overall I recommend for a company.

Verified review · Order #15114
EM
Erbol M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went with family for the weekend, wanted to show the children the lake. In July it's hot, but the water is warm, the children are delighted. They fed us normally, the bus is comfortable.

Verified review · Order #15049
AV
Artur V.
Google ·
★★★★★

In June we went to Balkhash for three days. We left Almaty at six in the morning, the bus ride lasted six hours but there were frequent stops. When we reached the lake we immediately had lunch and rested. The water was warm and shallow so you could swim even at night. In the evening we strolled along the shore and lit a fire, the weather was calm and windless. On the second day we lay on the beach until noon, then walked along the coast. On the third day after breakfast we swam one last time and headed back after lunch. We arrived in Almaty late in the evening. The organization was good, only the air conditioning on the bus worked poorly.

Verified review · Order #14953
AN
Albina N.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In June it's already warm at Balkhash, but the water seemed cool. The bus is comfortable, we got there with stops. Three meals a day, they fed us normally. In the evening by the fire it was great, the sunsets are beautiful.

Verified review · Order #14553

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the three-day trip to Lake Balkhash

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 question

The main thing is clothing and footwear that are comfortable both on the bus and on the sand by the water: daytime is warm, while evenings by the campfire are cool. Bring a hat, sun protection, water and something light to snack on for the road, plus a charged phone or camera. The guide will tell you about the rest of the little things before departure.

The programme is relaxed: swimming, the beach, unhurried walks along the shore — there are no difficult crossings or climbs. The main strain is the bus journey itself from Almaty to the southern shore, about six hours with stops, and that is exactly what is worth weighing up if you are travelling with little ones or elderly people. If you are unsure, message us on WhatsApp — we will advise how to make the journey more comfortable.

Departure from Almaty early on Friday morning, and on Sunday the bus arrives back late in the evening — after lunch, a last swim and packing up. The journey to the southern shore takes about half a day: we make stops along the way to stretch our legs. We will let you know the exact start and arrival times for your date on WhatsApp.

The $110 per person already includes the bus along the whole route, a guide, and the organisation of stops according to the programme. Separately, there are personal expenses and tickets to sites if you decide to go somewhere, as well as meals outside what is provided by the programme. We will clarify the specifics for your date on WhatsApp.

This tour is a group one: departures on Fridays–Sundays, a bus from Almaty, shared seats. If you want to go with just your own circle of friends to the southern shore of Balkhash, message us on WhatsApp — we will discuss what can realistically be arranged for your date and group.

Booking for this three-day weekend tour is done simply with a message on WhatsApp: you give the date — and the seats are yours, with no prepayment. Payment on the day of the trip when boarding the bus: Kaspi, card or cash. If your plans change, cancellation is free — just let us know by message.