★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Excursion · UNESCO
Tour to the Tamgaly petroglyphs: UNESCO heritage
5 · 21 reviews
Head to the Tamgaly valley, where thousands of Bronze Age petroglyphs are carved into the rocks. With a guide, you'll decipher ancient drawings and touch history in the open air.
WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration9 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $56/person
Program
Hourly program of the tour to the Tamgaly petroglyphs
08:00
Departure from Almaty
Meet in the city center and depart by comfortable car towards Tamgaly.
10:45
Arrival at the museum-reserve
A short stop at the entrance, ticket purchase, and introduction to the monument's history.
11:00
Walking route along the gorge
A walk along the cliffs, viewing the main groups of petroglyphs: from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.
12:15
Upper terrace and altars
Climb to the altar stones and ancient sacrificial sites, panoramic view.
13:00
Lunch in nature
Picnic with Kazakh snacks and tea from a thermos (dry rations or paid separately).
13:45
Free time and photos
Self-guided exploration of favorite areas, photo session against the cliffs.
14:00
Return to Almaty
Transfer back, estimated arrival in the city by 5:00 PM.
What's included
What's included in the tour to the Tamgaly petroglyphs
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer by comfortable car (Almaty – Tamgaly – Almaty)
- Services of a professional guide
- Entrance tickets to the museum-reserve
- Bottled water on the road
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Lunch (dry rations can be ordered for $10/person)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable shoes for walking on rocks
- Hat and sunscreen
- Windbreaker or light jacket (wind in the gorge)
- Camera or phone with a good camera
- Water bottle (can be refilled)
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 tour to the Tamgaly petroglyphs
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Bekzat U.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Tangalyga sapar korkem boldy. Ezhelgi suretter ote korkem. Gid ekskursiyany kyzdy otkizdi.
Aigul K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We took this trip because the children are into history, and we wanted to show them something real. We went as a group of four: me, my wife and two schoolchildren. Anzhelika immediately found a common language with the children, told stories in such a way that even the youngest listened with his mouth open. The petroglyphs are truly impressive, especially the hunting scenes. We climbed to the upper terrace, where the ancient altars are, from there a beautiful view. The road there and back went smoothly, the car was comfortable. The children still remember and draw these pictures. Thank you for the organization!
Zhanna D.
Our website ·
★★★★★Went to Tanbaly on friends' advice. Exceeded expectations. The ancient ritual scenes are mesmerizing. Very glad we chose this route.
Natalya S.
Google ·
★★★★★The tour to Tanbaly exceeded expectations. The petroglyphs under the open sky are something else. The guide told a lot of interesting things about the history.
Marat B.
Google ·
★★★★★I took my time picking a tour to Tanbaly, and I don't regret it. The ancient petroglyphs are amazing, especially the hunting scenes. Only downside: we left a bit late due to traffic jams.
Askar N.
Our website ·
★★★★★Good tour, I recommend it. We saw ancient hunting scenes. The only thing was we stood in line for a short while at the entrance.
Nurlan F.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Tangaly petroglifteri ulken tasir qaldirdy. Ezhelgi saudagerlerdin oy-orysy tamashaly. Gid koptegen derekterdi aityp berdi.
Bolat Sh.
Google ·
★★★★★I chose the tour to Tanbaly because of my interest in history. Everything was great. The petroglyphs are just masterpieces.
Aliya S.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to see the petroglyphs included in the UNESCO list, and finally I got ready. I went with my husband, he supported the idea. Madina conducted the excursion in great detail, answered all questions. I was especially impressed by the images from the Bronze Age and medieval scenes. We walked through the gorge, looked at different groups of drawings. The guide showed the sacrificial sites and told about their significance. At the end we made a stop for lunch, it was nice to have a snack in nature. I recommend it to everyone, you won't regret it.
Ruslan G.
Our website ·
★★★★★We decided to go as a family, we are very satisfied. The children also found it interesting. The guide conducted the excursion excellently. The petroglyphs are impressive, especially the ancient drawings. The weather was good, we walked around the gorge. Thank you for the organization, we liked everything.
Maxim Ch.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went to Tanbaly, the impressions are super. The petroglyphs are very ancient. The guide showed the most interesting places.
Sergey P.
Our website ·
★★★★★Vse ochen ponravilos. Nastoyashchee prikosnovenie k istorii. Doroga tryaskaya no eto togo stoylo.
Damir L.
Our website ·
★★★★★We were looking for a weekend tour to take a break from the city. Friends recommended Tanbaly, and we decided to go. We went together with a colleague, we both love history. The guide told in detail about each group of petroglyphs, especially memorable were the scenes with animals. We walked through the gorge, climbed to the altar stones, took many photos. The only thing is, we left 15 minutes later than planned, but it didn't spoil the impression. Overall we liked everything, we recommend it.
Elena M.
Our website ·
★★★★★The Tanbaly petroglyphs are the best thing I've seen in Kazakhstan. A very deep impression. The guide told in detail about the rituals.
Rimma G.
Our website ·
★★★★★Poezdka v Tangaly udalas. Petroglify ochen drevnie. Gid rasskazyval interesno. Vse zdorovo.
Saule A.
Our website ·
★★★★★I really enjoyed the excursion to Tanbaly. The petroglyphs are a wonder. Touching history. Thanks to the guide for the interesting story. The road was bumpy but we got there comfortably.
Olga K.
Our website ·
★★★★★We had been planning a trip to Almaty for a long time, we wanted to see something besides mountains and markets. A friend recommended Tanbaly, and I decided to give it a try. We went together with my sister, she also loves history. The guide Anzhelika talked very enthusiastically about each drawing, especially the scenes with animals. We climbed to the upper terrace, from there a beautiful view of the gorge opens up. The weather was excellent, we managed to take many photos. We left early in the morning, but the road passed unnoticed. I am very happy that I chose this particular tour.
Lyudmila K.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had been dreaming of seeing the Tamgaly petroglyphs for a long time. And it happened! Very atmospheric, as if you travel back in time. Thank you, Madina, for the fascinating story.
Gulnaz Sh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★The ancient hunting scenes on the rocks were very impressive. You can feel the spirit of history. Thanks for organizing, but we had to wait a bit for the bus.
Aidana R.
Our website ·
★★★★★The petroglyphs in Tamgaly are very ancient and beautiful. The excursion was great. The guide provided a lot of information.
Timur A.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We gathered as a group of three, we wanted to spend a day in nature usefully. We chose Tanbaly because there are ancient drawings there. We liked the hunting scenes, the guide told interesting stories. There was a small delay at the beginning, but it's not critical. Overall a good tour, we liked everything.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Tanbaly petroglyphs 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 questionThe main thing is comfortable shoes, since you'll be walking over stones along the cliffs. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a light jacket — it can be windy in the gorge. A phone or camera will come in handy for photos, and you can refill a water bottle on site.
According to the program, the walking part takes about two and a half hours with stops at the cliffs, and then a climb to the upper terrace to the altars. You'll be walking on uneven stone surfaces, so comfortable shoes are important. No special training is needed, and we adjust the pace to your group — the guide will give you the details before departure.
The decision depends on how comfortable your loved ones are walking over stones and climbing up to the terrace. The tour is private, so we can make stops more often and go at a comfortable pace. Message us on WhatsApp and we'll discuss the level of exertion for your group and date.
Departure from central Almaty at 08:00; we'll confirm the exact meeting point on WhatsApp. We arrive back in the city at approximately 17:00 — Tanbaly is about 170 km away, 2.5–3 hours each way. The departure time can be arranged on request for your date.
The $56 per person already includes the road from Almaty and back, the guide, entry to the museum-reserve and water in the car. Separately, only meals: you can bring food with you or order a packed lunch for $10 per person. Souvenirs and personal purchases are also at your own expense.
Yes, this tour is private, so only you and your companions will be in the car. Booking is just a message on WhatsApp with a convenient date; no prepayment is needed. Payment on the day of the trip via Kaspi, card or cash; cancellation of the booking is free.
