★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Hiking tour · weekend
BAO on foot — easy trekking from Almaty
4.9 · 23 reviews
We'll walk through the Big Almaty Gorge to the dam and lake. The route is simple, suitable for beginners — the mountain views and waterfalls will be remembered for a long time.
WhenSat, Sun
Duration8 hours
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $24/person
Program
BAO trekking program by hour
07:00
Meeting and departure from Almaty
We meet in the city center, board a comfortable minibus, and head towards the Big Almaty Gorge.
08:00
Start of trekking
Arrival at the trailhead. A short briefing from the guide, distribution of water and snacks. We begin the ascent along the river trail.
10:00
Waterfall and viewpoint
We stop at a picturesque waterfall for photos. Then we reach a viewpoint overlooking the gorge and Almaty.
12:00
Lunch break at the lake
We reach the Big Almaty Lake (BAO). Lunch in the fresh air (dry rations or optional lunch at a cafe). Rest and photo session.
14:00
Descent
We start the return trip along the same trail. The descent is easier than the ascent, taking about 1.5 hours.
16:00
Transfer to Almaty
We gather, board the bus, and return to the city.
17:30
Arrival in Almaty
Approximate return time to the meeting point. Goodbye until next time!
What's included
What's included in the BAO trekking cost
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back
- Services of an experienced guide
- Organizational fees and permits
- Bottled water (1 liter per person)
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Lunch (can bring your own or order for an additional fee)
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable trekking shoes
- Light jacket or windbreaker (mountain weather is changeable)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Snack and thermos with tea
- Backpack for personal items
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.
★5
★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
Reviews of the BAO hiking tour
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Aigerim T.
Our website ·
★★★★★I really liked the trekking. We got lucky with the weather, the lake is turquoise. Went as a couple with my husband, he's a fan of active recreation. The climb took about two hours, but the guide made stops and told us about the plants. At the waterfall we had a photo session. At the lake we had lunch, I even swam in the stream. The guide is a professional, organized everything clearly. We'll definitely come back!
Adil S.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Awesome trekking! The climb isn't tiring, the views are gorgeous. I'll definitely come back. Went alone, wanted to test myself. The trail goes along the river, the air is clean. We stopped at the waterfall, then climbed to the viewpoint. The lake offers a stunning view. The only thing is, I'd like more time at the rest stop. But still, the impressions are excellent!
Marina S.
Our website ·
★★★★★It was my first time in the mountains, I thought it would be tough. But it turned out easy and beautiful. The instructor was very supportive.
Daniyar M.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went with the family in the warm season, wanted to show the kids the mountains. The tour is good, but we left half an hour later, got a bit cold at the start. But the views are gorgeous, especially the waterfall and the lake. I recommend it.
Laura K.
Google ·
★★★★★Ochen krasiviy treking, chistiy vozduh. Chut zaderzhali vyezd no eto pustoje. Timaur molodec.
Bakhtiyar N.
Google ·
★★★★★Everything was great, but we could have added a tea stop. Otherwise, it was beautiful.
Sara M.
Our website ·
★★★★★Bring water with you—there are no shops along the route. Otherwise, everything was great, especially the lake.
Ivan Kh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★The tour is good, but the uphill road was a bit tiring. Still, at the lake it was super. Went with a friend, she persuaded me. The guide helped those lagging behind and encouraged them. At the waterfall we took a break and took photos. At the lake we had lunch and enjoyed the view. The descent back was more energetic. Overall I liked it, but for beginners it might be a bit hard.
Timur A.
Our website ·
★★★★★We were with family, the kids managed fine. The trail isn't hard, the guide explained everything clearly.
Dmitry V.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I bought the tour spontaneously, wanted to unwind after work. Aleksandr is a super guide, the route is beautiful, especially the lake. The ascent is not tiring, we walked along the river. I recommend it to everyone.
Aliya R.
Our website ·
★★★★★The organization is super, but they forgot to warn about the rain. However, the rain only refreshed us. Went with a big group, about eight people. The guide led confidently, making sure no one fell behind. After the rain the waterfall became fuller, a mesmerizing sight. At the lake we had a rest stop, got out our raincoats and had a snack. On the way back we walked in drizzling rain, but no one was discouraged. Thanks for the adventure!
Elena F.
Google ·
★★★★★I wanted an active holiday, got it in full. I went with a colleague to unwind. Only at the lake stop there were too many people, but that's not critical. The impressions are excellent.
Natalya K.
Our website ·
★★★★★It was great, but I got a bit tired. Still, the emotions were unforgettable. Went with colleagues to unwind after a work week. The guide patiently waited while I caught my breath on the climb. The waterfall is beautiful, especially when the sun breaks through the spray. At the lake we had a rest stop, ate, and relaxed. The way back seemed easier. Thanks to the guide for patience and support!
Vasiliy U.
Our website ·
★★★★★I took the tour for a change of pace. I liked everything, even the fog added a mystical touch. Thanks to the guide for the photos.
Pavel L.
Our website ·
★★★★★We decided to celebrate a birthday in the mountains. The tour met expectations; we even swam in a stream.
Aigul K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★I really liked the trekking to BAO. A beautiful route along the river, not difficult. The guide organized everything perfectly, especially liked it at the lake.
Zhanar B.
Google ·
★★★★★The tour was excellent, I've always dreamed of seeing BAO. Went with my sister, she'd been inviting me to the mountains for a long time, and I kept hesitating. The trail turned out to be not difficult, we walked along the river, listening to the sound of water. Aleksandr told us a lot of interesting things about the gorge and the waterfall. At the viewpoint we took great photos, and by the lake we had a rest stop with snacks. The descent back was easy, we didn't even notice how we got there. Thanks for a wonderful day!
Galina V.
Our website ·
★★★★★I took a long time choosing a tour and settled on this one. No regrets, the organization was top-notch. The guide did a great job.
Viktoriya G.
Our website ·
★★★★★The guide gave a wonderful tour, very heartfelt. Only on the way back we were a bit delayed.
Svetlana Z.
Our website ·
★★★★★First time in the mountains, I was scared but guide Anzhelika calmed me down. Very beautiful, I recommend it to everyone.
Yerlan D.
2GIS ·
★★★★★First time on such a tour. Friends persuaded me, and I didn't regret it. The guide showed everything, told stories, we made a stop at the waterfall. I'll go again next year.
Asem K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★We hiked up to BAO in the evening. Very fresh air, beautiful views. Thank you, Sergey!
Arman K.
Our website ·
★★★★★Vse ochen ponravilos, reka krasivaya, gory velichestvennye. Andrey rasskazival interesnye istorii.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the BAO trekking
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 questionBring comfortable trekking shoes, a light jacket or windbreaker, sunglasses and sunscreen, a snack with a thermos, and a small backpack for personal items. Mountain weather is changeable, so a windbreaker will come in handy even on a warm day. We provide water for the route.
The route is easy and designed for beginners: we walk along the river to the dam and the lake, with no overnight stays. The ascent takes a few hours, but the pace is relaxed, with stops at the waterfall and the viewpoint. If you have any health concerns, it is best to consult a doctor and message us on WhatsApp — we will advise on the level of exertion.
According to the programme, the walking part is the ascent to the lake with stops and the descent of about an hour and a half, while the whole tour takes 8 hours. Return to the city is approximately at 17:30 to the meeting point. The exact time depends on the group's pace and the weather.
Meeting at 07:00 in the centre of Almaty, from where we drive towards the Big Almaty Gorge in a minibus. We will confirm the exact meeting point for your date on WhatsApp. Departures are on Saturdays and Sundays.
Lunch is not included: at the rest stop by Big Almaty Lake you eat what you brought with you, or you can join lunch at a café for an additional fee. The price includes transfer from Almaty and back, a guide, organisational fees and permits, as well as bottled water. Personal expenses — souvenirs and extra drinks — are also paid separately.
The tour format is group-based — you join a mixed group on your chosen weekend. If you want your own group, message us on WhatsApp: we will clarify what can be arranged for your date. Booking is simply a message on WhatsApp, with no prepayment; you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash. Cancellation of a booking is free.
