Top Almaty Day Trips - page 3

Altyn-Emel National Park is famous primarily for its unique natural sites, for which thousands of tourists from all over the world come here. First of all, these are the Singing Dune and the chalk mountains of Aktau - the most famous natural monuments, which are original symbols of the Altyn-Emel Park. The singing dune was formed as a result of geological changes in the Semirechye region. About 200 thousand years ago, part of the Ulken Kalkan (Big Kalkan) volcano shifted, forming the mountains known as Kishi Kalkan (Little Kalkan). The sands that lay at the foot of the volcano were drawn into this new corridor, like a wind tunnel, by winds blowing from the southeast to the west-northwest, forming huge dunes about 10-12 thousand years ago. The Big and Small Kalkan mountains surround the Singing Dune, thereby preserving its unchanged shape.

This one-day horse riding tour will give you the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature, taste authentic Kazakh cuisine and feel the spirit of the steppe, following the traditions and art of the Kazakh peoples. Do not miss the chance to immerse yourself in this exciting world of mountainous expanses and the cultural heritage of Kazakhstan.

This guided day tour focuses on the Tamgaly (Tanbaly) Petroglyphs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological monuments in Kazakhstan. Rather than a simple transfer to the site, the experience is built around a structured visit with time to explore the main sections of the reserve and understand its historical significance. The tour is designed as a cultural experience, combining a guided walk through the canyon with observation of petroglyph clusters, ancient burial structures, and key viewpoints. All logistics, permits, and entrance fees are arranged in advance, allowing travelers to visit the site as a single, well-organized day trip from Almaty. This tour is best suited for travelers interested in history and archaeology who prefer a clear itinerary and professional organization over self-guided exploration.

Aktau is a mountainous sedimentary massif, which reaches a height of 1000 meters and a length of 5 kilometers. The total area of ​​the ridge is 50 square kilometers. It lies in the east of the Almaty region, in the Kerbulak region of the natural park. From the east it is bounded by the Kalshalysek tract, the valley of the dried up rivers Kokterek and Bokabaidyn-Ashasy. The sands of Aigaikum are located in the south. Aktau is called a "dead" mountain because nothing grows on it. Another name for the protected area is the Museum of the Earth's Past. Aktau consists of colored stones, the age of which, according to various sources, is 60,000,000 years. The mountain is a set of sandstone, red clay, pink carnelian, jasper and white quartz.

Discover the beauty of Kolsay Lakes, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon in one unforgettable tour! Start with the serene Kolsay Lakes, nestled among mountains, offering stunning views and nature walks. Then, explore the surreal Kaindy Lake, famous for its submerged forest. Finally, be awed by the dramatic landscapes of Charyn Canyon, with its unique rock formations. This adventure combines the best of Kazakhstan’s natural wonders, perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Book your tour today and experience the breathtaking beauty of these iconic destinations!

We will start our trip in the morning from your hotel. Drive will take approximately 3 hours. Museum-reserve is located on the vast territory with hills, canyons and rocks. There are 6 groups of petroglyphs of different eras. We will observe all of them. Just imagine - you will have chance to learn the art and at the same time documents of people who lived here hundreds and thousands years ago!

Explore the stunning Charyn Canyon, known as the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia," and walk through its iconic Valley of Castles. We will get some snacks there and head off to the Kolsay lake. Relax by the crystal clear Kolsay Lake and enjoy the beautiful mountain. Also, we’ll get our lunch there with the most stunning views! A perfect day trip from Almaty! Why us? - We offer high quality service for every tour - We ensure safety at every step - Our guides are fluent in English and Chinese, have deep knowledge about the historic and natural cites - We tailor each tour to meet your preferences - We accommodate dietary restrictions and cultural preferences - With us, you'll have a stress-free journey!

Escape Almaty for the day and explore the Kazakh countryside on a private tour to the Turgen Waterfalls and Issyk Lake. It’s customizable so you can choose to get active with a hike around Issyk Lake or simply relax with a picnic (own cost). You can also learn more about the local archaeological excavations of a warrior at the Golden Man Museum.

Hike through Charyn Canyon National Park, visiting the Valley of Castles and seeing the strange formations in canyon, including *The Martian*. You’ll also visit a road market in Baiseiyt to see some local goodies, and then carry on to Bartogai Lake. Your guide and driver will take care of logistics, including all transfers, and lunch to keep you energized.

This special tour will cover the four most frequently visited places: Kolsai Lake, Charyn Canyon, Monn, and Black. If you haven't visited these places, you are not qualified to say that you have traveled to Almaty as a tourist.

Our journey will begin with a visit to the main location of the Charyn National Park, this is the Valley of Castles, the first and most popular point to visit, then we will visit the mysterious lunar canyon, walk along the ancient paths that the Charyn River has carved over millions of years. The third location on our route will be the Black Canyon, the highest observation deck with a panoramic view of the river, after which you will have a lunch of national dishes before descending into the most mysterious part of the canyon, Bestamak. We will make a descent by car and you will have the opportunity to take stunning photos on the roof of the car, touch the multi-million-dollar history of Kazakhstan

At 10:00 AM, hotel pick-up by comfortable jeep or SUV. Drive to Huns Ethno Village takes about 1 hour. From 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM: cultural program including the traditional “Shashu” ceremony, baursak-making masterclass with tea, introduction to nomadic life, “Besikke Salu” ceremony, equestrian show, and photos with horses (short queues possible). Buffet lunch with traditional Kazakh dishes, followed by an archery masterclass. Then transfer to Issyk Lake (about 1 hour). Walk along the shore and optional light trekking. Return to Almaty (about 2 hours). Arrival at the hotel around 7:00 PM. All entrance fees and activities included — no hidden costs. Feel free to ask your guide to take photos. Guides speak English, Russian, Chinese, and Spanish — please indicate your preferred language when booking. Customized tours across Kazakhstan available upon request.

Why choose our Private Experience? Unlike the big crowded bus tours, we offer a journey that feels like traveling with a local friend who knows all the secrets of Kazakhstan. Here is what sets us apart: 100% Flexible & Private: This tour is just for you and your group. We don’t follow a rigid schedule. Want to spend an extra hour at the lake or stop for a photo in a random field of wildflowers? It’s your call. The "Hidden" Canyons: Most tours only show you the main Charyn Canyon. We take you deeper to the Moon Canyon, where you can enjoy and see more. SUV Comfort: Forget about bumpy old vans. You’ll travel in a clean, modern, and air-conditioned 4x4 SUV, perfectly equipped for mountain roads. We always have fresh bottled water inside Expert Local Storytelling: We don't just give you dates and facts. We share the legends, the history, and the modern life of Almaty Stress-Free Experience: From hotel pickup to the best lunch spots in local villages, we handle every detail

In one day, you can visit the most beautiful places with spectacular nature: Charyn Canyon, "the little brother of Grand Canyon," Kolsay Lake, the pearl of Tyan Shan Mountain, and Kaindy Lake, a flooded forest. Incredible views of the most unusual, mysterious, and inexplicable natural phenomena won't leave you indifferent. Inspire yourself with the beauty of Kazakhstani nature.

We will drive along the former caravan route of the legendary Grate Silk Way with the views of Tian Shan mountains. We will get to know about the magic qualities of the Grate Steppe . On the way we will make a photo stop at the archeological area with the ancient Saki burial mounts which are thousands of years old but still can tell us the stories about the grate nomadic civilization of the antique times and there you will learn the story of how the terrible tragedy brought Kazakh people to the discovery of their national symbol. The third part of our journey takes us to the National park in the mountains where besides the stunning mountain views we will observe the sad ruins of the Soviet time resorts that witnessed one of the worst of natural disasters that happened in this area in July of 1963 that took many human lives and destroyed one of the wonders of this mountains. We will speak about the beauty and the danger of this place in the historical perspective.

NOW IT'S TIME TO VISIT TURGEN IN AUTUMN IN WINTER 08:00 – Pick-up and departure from Almaty 09:00 – Arrival at Turgen Gorge Short walk through the gorge surrounded by pine forests 09:30 – Visit Bear Waterfall Enjoy the fresh mountain air and take beautiful photos 11:00 – Transfer to Issyk Lake Free time to walk around, relax by the lake, and take photos 13:00 – Lunch at a local café near Issyk Lake 14:30 – Visit the Golden Man Museum in the town of Issyk Learn about the famous archaeological discovery and ancient Saka culture 16:00 – Departure back to Almaty 17:30 – Shortstop for coffee/WC 18:30 – Drop-off in Almaty

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You will see ancient writings on the rocks, made since the Bronze Age. These are the most interesting petroglyphs in Kazakhstan and were included in the UNESCO list because they were preserved in good quality. This tour is intended for history lovers who want to see rock carvings of various eras, starting from the Bronze Age.

In one day you can visit the most beautiful places with Spectacular nature Charyn Canyon "little brother of Grand Canyon", Kolsay lake- pearl of Tyan Shan mountain and Kaindy lake- flooded forest. Incredible view,the most unusual, mysterious and inexplicable natural phenomena won't leave you indifferent. Inspire yourself with the beauty of Kazakhstan nature.

Experience our Full Day Private Hiking Tour in Almaty mountains! Embark on a serene journey through the picturesque landscapes of Kazakhstan as you make your way to the heart of the city. Upon your arrival, meet your seasoned tour guide, ready to lead you on an enchanting tour of Almaty mountains. The Ile-Alatau mountains offer various hiking routes of different difficulty levels. Let us know your preferences, whether you prefer an easier trek with more time to relax or a more active and longer path. Also, tell us what you would like to see the most, such as a waterfall, forest, river, or a plateau covered with grass and flowers. We will find a suitable route for you.

If you want to explore the largest canyon in Central Asia on your own terms, with a private guide and driver, this is the tour for you. Your guide will pick you up from your hotel, then drive you comfortably to the canyon where you can explore, take photos, and do some hiking. No need to organize a thing. Your guide will take care of everything, even a picnic lunch.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Almaty and spend the day immersed in nature on this tour to Charyn Canyon. With a private guide, depart the city and head to Charyn Canyon National Park where you first explore the Valley of Castles. Then, enjoy hikes through the canyon to get better views of the surrounding areas.

We will admire the unbelievable vast landscapes of the Great Steppes – the cradle of the nomadic civilization. We will get to know the peculiarities of the nomadic way of life, who and how invented the Steppe Calendar and what are the main values of the Kazakh shepherds. We will speak about the religions of The Great Steppe and how dogs were transformed from the sacred animals to the devil servants. We will find out about the main product of local farmers of the USSR time. At the end of our journey through the steppes we will reach the kingdom of canyons that created mysterious castles and towers, home for the witches and magic red wolfs, – the heroes of Charyn canyon legends that kept in fear local people for centuries. Our guide will help you to separate the truth from the myths and we will try to guess how and why the legends were born. The visit of the canyons that are millions years old with their mysterious stories will not leave anyone indifferent!

Nature-loving travelers will enjoy getting out of Almaty for the day and heading to some of Kazakhstan’s most beautiful natural spots. After being picked up from your accommodation, head to the Charyn Canyon, where you’ll explore for a couple of hours. Spend some time in a traditional Kazakh village, Saty, seeing how the local people live. Admire the views of Kaindy and Kolsai Lakes, too.