★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Lake · Day Trip
Lake Issyk – a natural diamond in a granite setting
5 · 21 reviews
A day trip from Almaty to Lake Issyk, the jewel of the Trans-Ili Alatau. You'll see turquoise water surrounded by granite cliffs, breathe mountain air, and learn the legends of this place.
WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration6 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $40/person
Program
Hourly itinerary for the Lake Issyk tour
08:00
Departure from Almaty
Gathering at Republic Square, boarding a comfortable minibus.
09:00
Stop at the observation deck
Brief stop at the Issyk dam, offering a panorama of the gorge.
10:00
Arrival at Lake Issyk
Reach the lakeshore, free time for a walk and photos.
11:30
Walking tour around the lake
A guided walk along the trail with stories about geology and legends.
13:00
Lunch at a lakeside cafe
Traditional Kazakh cuisine (paid separately).
14:30
Free time
Relaxation, swimming (weather permitting), or additional walks.
15:30
Departure to Almaty
Group gathering, return with a stop on request.
17:00
Arrival in Almaty
Tour ends at the meeting point.
What's included
What's included in the Lake Issyk tour price
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back in comfortable transport
- Guide services
- Environmental fees and permits
- Bottled water on the bus
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Lunch (from $10 per person)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Insurance
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable shoes for walking on stones
- Warm jacket (windbreaker) – it's windy at the lake
- Swimsuit/trunks (if you plan to swim)
- Camera or phone for photos
- Drinking water (in addition to provided)
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 Issyk Lake Tour
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Viktoria L.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Issyk is a fairy tale! We had been eyeing one-day nature tours for a long time and it was worth going. The water is turquoise, the walk along the trail around the lake with the guide was the highlight. We liked the organization, recommend to everyone.
Aizhan M.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Lake Issyk is a wonderful gift of nature. We went with our family, my wife and children were very happy. The lake looks turquoise, like a real diamond among the mountains. The guide interestingly told us about the geology and legends of the lake. We strolled along the shore and took photos. We ate at a cafe ourselves, it was delicious. The organization is good, and the transport is comfortable. Only we had a bit too little time, but it was still amazing!
Asel K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went to Issyk yesterday. The water is unrealistically beautiful, turquoise among the rocks. The guide is very warm-hearted, told legends on the way and at the lake.
Meruert A.
Our website ·
★★★★★Lake Issyk is a gem! The departure was delayed by 20 minutes, but that's minor. The impressions are amazing.
Bakhtiyar S.
2GIS ·
★★★★★The tour to Issyk from the company was fire! The guide accompanied us to the spot and told us everything about the gorge. Thanks!
Aleksandr G.
Google ·
★★★★★We were looking for a one-day nature tour and chose Issyk. We didn't go wrong. Ilyas the guide is a great guy, knows a lot.
Natalya P.
Google ·
★★★★★We had been dreaming of seeing Issyk for a long time. Finally went! Everything was on point, the guide Aleksandr was great. Downside: not enough time for photos.
Timur A.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I went with a friend, and we were both satisfied. The nature is amazing. Sergey explained everything, good job.
Meiram K.
Google ·
★★★★★Issyk — ote korkem. Andrey jaksy ekskursiya jurgizdi. Birak jolda bir az kepektik.
Konstantin V.
Our website ·
★★★★★We had long wanted to go to Issyk, and finally made it. The company pleased us, everything on time, the minibus comfortable. The guide conducted the tour excellently and answered all questions.
Daniyar T.
Google ·
★★★★★Madina recommended a tour to Issyk, we liked everything. The organization is top-notch, the nature is amazing.
Olga D.
Our website ·
★★★★★Issyk is a wonder of nature! My sister and I had long wanted to see this lake, and finally we got together. The organization is excellent: a comfortable minibus, the guide told everything along the way. The weather let us down a bit — it was cloudy, but the lake still impressed with its turquoise water. We liked the stop at the dam with a panorama of the gorge. It's a pity we couldn't swim because of the coolness, but the walk around the lake was wonderful. I recommend it to everyone, even in cloudy weather it's beautiful there!
Yerzhan D.
2GIS ·
★★★★★My wife and I had long wanted to escape the city bustle and see a mountain lake. Issyk turned out to be exactly that place — the turquoise water in the granite rocks is simply mesmerizing. We liked the stop at the dam, which offers a panorama of the gorge, and the walk along the trail around the lake with a guide. The guide told legends and about geology, it was interesting. The only downside is that it's quite far to travel, the road is tiring, but for such nature it's worth enduring. Overall, the organization is clear, and there are plenty of impressions!
Zhuldyz O.
Yandex ·
★★★★★The tour to Issyk went well, very beautiful. The guide told us a lot about the lake and mountains, we also took photos. The driver handled everything along the way. Thanks.
Aigul K.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went to Issyk lake with our family. We really liked it, the water is turquoise, nature is a fairy tale. The guide told everything interestingly, especially about the geology of the gorge.
Abzal R.
Our website ·
★★★★★A truly beautiful place. The lake is like a diamond in the mountains. Guide Aleksandr showed us everything well.
Kamila Ye.
Our website ·
★★★★★I really liked Lake Issyk! The water is clear, mountains around. We went with my husband, had long wanted to see this place. The guide told everything well, especially memorable was the stop at the dam with a panorama of the gorge. Thanks for the organization!
Galina F.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Liked the tour. The guide is very knowledgeable, told a lot of interesting things about the gorge and the lake. The lake is beautiful, recommend to everyone.
Raushan B.
Our website ·
★★★★★Lake Issyk is a natural diamond! My colleagues and I decided to have a nature outing and didn't regret it. The road was a bit bumpy, but it was worth it. The guide interestingly told about the gorge and legends, especially liked the walking tour around the lake. The water is clear, the air is fresh — we couldn't get enough. Lunch at the cafe by the lake was tasty, though for an extra fee. Overall, everything is well organized, we returned satisfied.
Leila N.
Google ·
★★★★★Madina helped with the choice, thanks to her. The lake made me fall in love with it
Olzhas B.
Our website ·
★★★★★We spent a long time choosing a tour to Issyk and finally went with this company — no regrets. Great organization, the only thing is the road was a bit bumpy, but it was worth it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Issyk Lake 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 questionIt's windy by the lake, so a warm jacket or windbreaker will come in handy even in warm weather. Bring comfortable shoes for walking on stones — there's a trail around the lake. If you want to swim, bring a swimsuit, but it depends on the weather. A camera or phone will also be useful: the views framed by granite are worth the shots.
It's a relaxed one-day trip with no special training required. Most of the time you ride in a comfortable minibus or stay by the water, and you walk along the trail around the lake at a measured pace with a guide. There are no long climbs or serious exertion in the program, so it suits beginners too.
Yes, the format is private, so we adjust the pace of the walk to your group. Children and elderly people usually manage the section around the lake calmly, and the program includes free time to rest by the water. If someone needs more breaks, the guide will advise before departure on how best to plan the day.
Meeting is at 08:00 on Republic Square, and by 17:00 you're back in Almaty — that's when the programme ends. On the way there's a short stop at the dam with a view of the gorge, and at the lake a guided walk, lunch and free time. The start time can be moved: we'll confirm the exact departure for your date on WhatsApp.
No, lunch at the cafe by the lake is paid separately, roughly from $10 per person. The $40 per person already includes the road from Almaty and back, the work of a guide, environmental fees and water in the vehicle. Personal expenses — souvenirs or extra drinks — are also paid on site.
The tour format is private, so we choose the date and departure time to suit your group — message us on WhatsApp and we'll arrange everything. No prepayment is needed: you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash. Cancellation of the booking is free, so you can change your plans with peace of mind.
