★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Lake · Private Tour
Tour to Big Almaty Lake in 4 hours
5 · 21 reviews
Just 4 hours — and you're at the turquoise Big Almaty Lake, one of the most beautiful high-altitude reservoirs of the Zailiysky Alatau. A short but intense trip from Almaty: mountain serpentine, gorge panoramas, and an hour of rest by the water.
WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration4 hrs
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $55/person
Program
Hourly program of the tour to Big Almaty Lake
09:00
Departure from Almaty
Meeting with the guide in the city center, boarding a comfortable car.
09:40
Ascent along the gorge
Road to an altitude of 2500 m with stops at viewpoints.
10:30
Arrival at the lake
Walk to the observation deck, photos against the backdrop of Big Almaty Lake and peaks.
11:00
Walk around the lake
Free time for a walk along the shore (about 1 hour).
12:00
Lunch
Picnic with panoramic views or lunch at a cafe by the lake (optional).
13:00
Return to Almaty
Descent along the serpentine, transfer to the meeting point.
What's included
What is included in the tour to Big Almaty Lake
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back in a comfortable car
- Services of a Russian-speaking guide-driver
- Environmental fee for entry to Ile-Alatau National Park
- Bottled water in the car
- Insurance during the tour
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Lunch (optional — picnic $10/person)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Photographer services
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers or trekking boots)
- Warm jacket or windbreaker (windy at altitude)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Camera or phone with charger
- Bottle of water and a light snack
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 Big Almaty Lake in 4 hours
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Elena K.
Our website ·
★★★★★We had been dreaming of seeing the Big Almaty Lake for a long time. We chose this tour because it's only 4 hours and at a convenient time. We left on time but were slightly delayed due to the queue at the parking lot. The guide gave a very interesting explanation about the formation of the lake and the rocks. The impressions are amazing, we will definitely come back.
Serik M.
Our website ·
★★★★★We planned a trip to the lake with friends on a day off, our time was limited. 4 hours is enough to get to the lake, the morning departure was convenient. Along the way the views of the mountain gorge are amazing, especially when you climb higher. The places Aleksandr showed us are very beautiful, the water is clear, its color is turquoise. But we had to wait in a line, lost a bit of time. Despite that, everything went well, nature is wonderful. I'm thinking of going again and staying longer this time.
Damir Zh.
Google ·
★★★★★Really wanted to show the lake to my girlfriend, chose this 4-hour tour. Departure was slightly delayed but it didn't spoil the impression. The driver told funny stories, the road passed unnoticed. The lake is incredibly turquoise. The only downside is a 10-minute queue on the way back. Overall the tour is super
Daniyar Kh.
Our website ·
★★★★★Everything is very beautiful, the water is blue. The guide told about the mountains. Recommend
Timur A.
Google ·
★★★★★We took the tour to get to know the nature of Almaty. The guide was very helpful in choosing a picnic spot. The downside is a small delay in departure. Overall 5 stars.
Erzhan U.
Our website ·
★★★★★On the weekend we went for a walk with our family, the kids wanted to see the mountains. It's convenient to see in a short time, you don't get too tired. The lake is very beautiful, the water is clear, walking along the shore is a pleasure. The guide guy told it well, the conversation along the way was interesting. The kids took photos and came back happy. Next time we want to go again and spend more time in the mountains.
Ivan S.
Google ·
★★★★★Went with my family, kids liked it. Only had to wait in line on the road for about 15 minutes, but it's minor.
Vadim Ts.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Chose because of price and time. Didn't regret it, the lake is turquoise, the mountains are beautiful. The only thing is the road is broken in places but that's not a crime. The driver drove carefully
Zhanna R.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We got together as a group for the weekend, none of us had been to this lake before. The organization is super but the road is a bit bumpy, especially on the climb. But the views are unreal, they're worth putting up with. The guide told us everything about the lake, about the mountains around, it was interesting to listen. We walked by the water, breathed the fresh air, took a bunch of photos. We got back calmly, without delays. I recommend it to everyone, especially if you don't have much time in the city.
Marat Z.
Google ·
★★★★★We wanted to see the mountains and the lake; we chose this tour because of the short time. We left on time, everything was great.
Sveta P.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Everything was good, but the departure was delayed by 10 minutes. On the other hand, the nature is stunning, and the guide told us about the legends.
Bekzhan R.
Our website ·
★★★★★We were eager to see the lake but had little time. The legends told by Ilyas were very interesting. We had a slight delay on the road, but everything was fine. The nature is amazing, the water is clear. I will come again.
Ruslan N.
Our website ·
★★★★★My brother and I planned this specifically for nice shots, he's into photography. We went for the photos, and they turned out great, especially by the water against the peaks. The drive doesn't take that long, we managed both to go up to the viewpoint and walk along the shore. Only the road is a bit dusty, but these are mountains, it can't be any other way here. The water really is turquoise, like in the pictures, my brother was delighted. We made it back to the city in time for our errands, which was important for us.
Olga G.
Our website ·
★★★★★I wanted to see the Big Almaty Lake without an overnight stay, so I chose the 4-hour tour. The guide gave a very interesting talk about the flora and fauna. The downside was the bumpy road a bit, but it was worth it.
Aslan T.
Our website ·
★★★★★We took the tour because of the convenient timing. The lake is beautiful, the water is clear. I recommend it.
Lyazzat M.
Google ·
★★★★★My husband and I went together, we had long wanted to see this lake with our own eyes. Anzhelika accompanied us very pleasantly, she kept pointing things out along the way. The climb up the serpentine is impressive in itself, the panoramas around are such that you want to stop at every viewpoint. We spent almost an hour by the water, breathed in the mountain air, took plenty of photos. Only positive impressions, the lake and mountains are mesmerizing. It's hard to believe it's all in just half a day. I'll definitely recommend it to friends.
Oleg V.
Google ·
★★★★★We were passing through Almaty for just a couple of days, wanted to fit in both the mountains and a walk around the city. The 4-hour tour is a great option if you're short on time. While we were going up, we stopped at the viewpoints, the views open up one better than the other. The lake really is turquoise, I recommend it, the photos come out by themselves. The guide told us about the gorge along the way, it was interesting to listen. We got back without rushing, and even made it to dinner.
Vika L.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Only slightly delayed departure but that's not important. The lake is stunning. The guide helped with photos
Marina Y.
Our website ·
★★★★★Really liked that the tour was short but packed. Managed to take photos and breathe fresh air. The guide told a lot of interesting things. Recommend
Aigul K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Went with my friend to BAO on Saturday. Very beautiful, the water is turquoise. Sergey advised where to take the best photos.
Irina N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Went with friends as part of a girls' outing. Wanted beautiful photos and relaxation. Took this tour because of its short duration. The guide is very fun, showed everything. The only thing is the road is dusty a bit due to repairs. But the lake and mountains are worth it. Recommend to everyone
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the tour to Big Almaty Lake
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 questionWe leave the city at 09:00, reach the lake at around 10:30, spend about an hour by the water, have lunch at 12:00 and start down the mountain road to the drop-off point at 13:00. How long the drive down takes depends on traffic — the guide will tell you the exact return time along the way.
There is minimal walking: almost the whole time you are in the vehicle, and by the lake you stroll along the shore for about an hour at a relaxed pace. No special preparation is required, and you set the pace of the walk yourself. If walking on the uneven shore is uncomfortable, you can stay at the viewpoint — the view of the lake and the peaks from there is excellent.
The ascent goes up to an altitude of 2500 metres, where it is usually windy and cooler than in Almaty, so a jacket or windbreaker will be useful even on a warm day. Wear shoes comfortable for walking along the shore — sneakers or trekking boots. It will also be useful to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, water, a light snack and a phone or camera with a charger.
Yes, this is a private tour: the vehicle and guide-driver will be only for you, with no other travellers. Departures are daily, and we choose the start time according to your request. Write your convenient date and hour on WhatsApp — we will confirm whether the vehicle is available.
The price includes the road from Almaty and back in a comfortable vehicle, a Russian-speaking guide-driver, permission to enter Ile-Alatau Park, water in the vehicle and insurance for the duration of the trip. Lunch is not included: by the lake you can have a picnic for $10 per person or eat at a cafe. Souvenirs and photographer services are optional and for an additional fee.
Simply write to us on WhatsApp with the date and convenient time — we arrange the booking without prepayment and assign the vehicle to you. You can pay on the day of the trip: via Kaspi, by card or in cash. Cancellation of the booking is free, regardless of the reason.
