★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Adventures · Weekend
Tour to Bektau-Ata: Rocks and Caves of the Balkhash Region
4.9 · 23 reviews
The Bektau-Ata mountain range is a stunning natural corner in the steppe. Over three days, you'll see granite rocks of bizarre shapes, explore caves, and enjoy views of Lake Balkhash. An ideal option for an active weekend getaway.
WhenWeekend
Duration3 days
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $268/person
Program
Hourly itinerary of the tour to Bektau-Ata
06:30
Meeting and departure from Almaty
Meet at the Palace of the Republic, have a snack on the way.
12:00
Lunch on the way
A stop at a roadside café on the Almaty — Balkhash highway, rest.
15:30
Arrival in Bektau-Ata
About 600–650 km and 8–9 hours on the road. Check-in at the cabins.
18:00
Dinner and evening by the campfire
Cook dinner over the fire, relax under the stars.
Day 2, 09:00
Hike to the rocks
Sightseeing of granite outcrops and the 'Camel' rock.
Day 2, 14:00
Hike to the caves
Explore 'Aulie' and 'Konyr' caves.
Day 3, 09:00
Departure to Balkhash
Swim in the lake, photo session.
Day 3, 13:00
Return to Almaty
Arrival approximately at 10:00 PM.
What's included
What is included in the tour to Bektau-Ata
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back in a comfortable minibus
- Accommodation in cabins (2 nights)
- Meals: lunches and dinners (except breakfasts)
- Guide services
- Organizational fees and permits
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Breakfasts (you can bring your own)
- Accident insurance
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable trekking shoes
- Warm jacket (it's cool at night)
- Swimsuit and towel
- Flashlight for caves
- Personal first aid kit and insect repellent
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 Bektau-Ata tour
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Aizhan K.
Our website ·
★★★★★I love nature. Bektau-Ata is a wonderful place. The shapes of the stones are unique. The water in the cave is tasty. Thanks to the guide!
Bakhyt A.
Our website ·
★★★★★An amazing place. The rocks look man-made. The lakes between the crevices are a find. The guide showed secret trails. The tour is worth the money.
Asel Zh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★My husband and I went, he had long wanted to see these places. The road is bumpy, but the beauty is incredible. Kamen-Sunduk is impressive, you stand next to it and feel tiny. We climbed the rocks, found a small lake in a crevice. The water is cold, but we swam. The guide told us about the caves, it was interesting. It's a pity we left later than promised, but it didn't spoil the impression. We returned home tired but happy.
Viktor R.
Our website ·
★★★★★Didn't expect such beauty. Granite rocks, bizarre shapes. The Stone Chest looks real. The guide took great photos as a keepsake.
Gulmira R.
Google ·
★★★★★We went on this trip with my father, he has loved hiking in the mountains since childhood. It was a wonderful journey. The mountains are beautiful, especially at sunset. We entered the cave, it was cool and damp inside. We drank water, it tasted sweet. The guide told us a lot, but my Kazakh is poor, so I didn't understand much. At night we admired the stars. In the morning we went to Lake Balkhash, it was cold, but the view is wonderful. We liked everything. Thank you.
Aliya N.
Google ·
★★★★★I've long wanted to see Bektau-Ata. The place is magical. The Stone Chest is huge. The lakes are blue. The guide told about the origin of the rocks. Very interesting.
Aliya M.
Our website ·
★★★★★We had long dreamed of seeing Kamen-Sunduk. It's really huge, 7 meters! My brother and I went to take a break from the city. The organization is top-notch, Aleksandr explained everything clearly about the rocks. The weather was cool, but we were lucky — sun. In the Aulie-Tas cave we collected fresh water, it's very tasty. I also liked Lake Balkhash, although swimming was cold. Overall, excellent weekend, thank you.
Olga F.
2GIS ·
★★★★★This is my second tour with this company. Bektau-Ata did not disappoint. We went with friends, wanted an active holiday. The rocks are powerful, especially I remember Kamen-Sunduk. The cave with fresh water surprised us, it was cool and damp inside. The guide was attentive, showed and told everything. True, this time the bus was a bit late, but that's not critical. In the evening it was great by the fire, we cooked food. Thanks for the great company.
Zhanna S.
Yandex ·
★★★★★My friend and I decided to go for the weekend, we had long heard about these rocks. The road is long, but the expanses on both sides are such that we didn't notice how we got there. When we approached the granite outcrops, at first I didn't believe that such a thing could exist in the steppe. In the cave we had to squat, inside it was damp and cool. But the water is icy and tasty, we collected some to take with us. In the evening we sat by the fire, the stars were very bright. We drove back tired but satisfied. I recommend it.
Damir Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★Bektau-Ata ote korem. Tas sundyk 7 metr. Pesheraga kirgen kezde suyikti. Mnogoe ponravilos. Gid organizacia jaksy.
Natalya I.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to go to Bektau-Ata, after looking at photos on the internet. I went with a colleague, we both love nature. The place is impressive, especially when you climb the rocks and see the whole steppe. Kamen-Sunduk really looks like a chest, huge. Ilyas told legends about this place, very informative. I was a bit confused that we left not on time, delayed by half an hour. But otherwise everything was fine, the guide is attentive, the houses are clean. In the cave the water is fresh, we tried it. I recommend it, but advise taking warm clothes.
Timur B.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went as a group. We liked the rock crevices and lakes. In the evening we sat by the fire. The guide cooked a delicious dinner. The only downside is we waited half an hour at the exit.
Marat K.
Our website ·
★★★★★Took the tour on friends' recommendation. It was cool in April, especially in the evenings, so a jacket came in handy. We managed to see the Aulie cave and the lake. The cave is deep, the water is fresh. I recommend it.
Ruslan I.
Our website ·
★★★★★The rocks are really cool. Like another world. The lakes in the crevices are blue. The Aulie-Tas cave is a must-visit. The road is dusty, but for such views it's worth enduring. The guide conducted the tour well.
Andrey S.
Google ·
★★★★★The tour met expectations. The road was bumpy, but there were beautiful steppes on both sides. The rocks were impressive. The cave was real. The guide let me taste the water — it was delicious.
Lyazzat T.
2GIS ·
★★★★★The Stone Chest is very impressive. I went with my friend. The Aulie-Tas cave was nice. The water was fresh. Thank you for the tour.
Yerzhan T.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went with the family. The kids loved climbing the rocks. The Aulie-Tas cave was impressive. The downside — departure was slightly delayed, but that's minor.
Oksana Ch.
Our website ·
★★★★★We took a tour for two. The gorges with lakes really impressed us. Real oases in the rocks. The Chest Rock looks like an artifact. Anzhelika explained everything about the geology well. The downside — departure was delayed by 20 minutes. But overall excellent.
Dmitry V.
Yandex ·
★★★★★A cool place, Bektau-Ata resembles Martian landscapes. True, the road is dusty, but it's worth it. Huge thanks to the guide for the organization!
Lyudmila P.
Our website ·
★★★★★Went with my girlfriends. Really enjoyed it. The place has strong energy. The Chestnut Rock is a natural wonder. The cave with water surprised us. The organizer Madina helped everyone. Thanks for the tour.
Anatoliy K.
Google ·
★★★★★We took a weekend tour, really wanted to see the Bektau-Ata rocks. Liked the Aulie-Tas cave with fresh water, the water was clean and tasty. The driver drove carefully despite the bumpy road.
Svetlana P.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I chose this tour for the unique landscapes. The lakes in the rock crevices are just a fairytale! The guide took us to the most beautiful spots.
Igor L.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Ezdil s druzyami. Peizazhi nezemnye. Peshera vnutri vlazhnaya. Voda presnaya, napitok. Sovetuyu vsem. Gid molodec.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Bektau-Ata tour
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 questionTake trekking shoes — thin sneakers are uncomfortable on the granite outcrops and near the caves. A warm jacket is a must: evenings by the campfire in the steppe are cool, and so are the nights. You will also need a swimsuit and towel for Balkhash, a flashlight for the caves, insect repellent and a personal first-aid kit.
There are two walks: on the morning of the second day we go to the granite rocks and the “Camel”, and after lunch — to the “Aulie” and “Konyr” caves. We walk at a calm pace, the guide leads the group and makes stops. No special training is needed, but comfortable shoes will make the path over stones much easier.
We stay in cabins for two nights, no need to bring tents and sleeping bags — this is noticeably easier than a classic hike. The walks are unhurried, the guide adapts to the group. If any of your group has health restrictions, write to us on WhatsApp — we will honestly say how best to plan participation.
Departures are at weekends, meeting at 06:30 at the Palace of the Republic. The programme doesn't specify a season, but in the steppe it can be hot by day and cool at night, so bring a warm jacket even in summer. We'll confirm the weather and the nearest dates for your trip on WhatsApp.
Departure from Almaty at 06:30 from the Palace of the Republic; we arrive around 15:30: the drive along the Almaty — Balkhash highway, about 600–650 km, takes 8–9 hours with a lunch stop. On the third day we start back after Balkhash and plan to be in the city around 22:00, but the exact time depends on the road. The guide will warn the group in advance, so it is better not to plan evening commitments on the day you return.
The tour is a group tour, but if you are gathering your own group — write to us on WhatsApp with the weekend date and how many people are going, and we will confirm places. We do not take a deposit: you pay on the day of the trip at the Palace of the Republic — Kaspi, card or cash. Cancellation is free, just let us know.
