All Almaty Tours & Excursions in 2026

Simply stunning. Getting to the lakes takes a bit of work, But it is worth it. Pro Tip: Once you reach Kolsai, take the bus which drops you off nearly halfway and walk rest of the way to save time and make time for boating at the lake. Charyn canyon was also amazing but there wasn’t enough time to cover it in full and the trek wasn’t easy especially under the hot sun. Make sure to pack the right shoes. The only downside of the trip was the bus carrying us had an issue with its air conditioning

“Had an amazing all-day private tour in Kazakhstan thanks to my guides/driver, Konti and Ayan. Both were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating throughout the entire day. The car was brand new and clean, comfortable and they were on time. We visited Charyn Canyon, Kolsay and Kaiyndy Lakes and lastly Black Canyon on the return. The diverse landscapes and untouched nature were stunning!!! My guides answered every question I had and were very flexible in tailoring the experience to exactly what I wanted to see and at my pace. Their professionalism and hospitality made the tour smooth, enjoyable, and memorable. Konti was great at ensuring I was always comfortable, tons of knowledge regarding Kazak culture, and great conversations during the road trip as well his fire playlist!! He was also super kind and mature for his age. Ayan is incredibly versed is all things Kazak, gave wonderful history and stories regarding kazak music and the 4 sites visited. He is also a great photographer to help capture all the moments. Thank you guys!! Highly recommend touring with them and requesting Konti or Ayan!”

I have a great day hiking with our guide Amir. We were in a small group of 3 travelers, the pickup was on time. Amir always making sure we were safe during the hike when passing through some steep sections of the trails. We reached the lake on time before it became cloudy. The scenery was spectacular and I would recommend the day trip if you want to experience the landscape without traveling too far from Almaty city.

Meeting is at 04:30 but bus doesn’t really leave until 05:00+, then gas station stop, so 05:30 by the time you really get going. The bus isn’t that comfortable. Besides this, probably one of the better day trips I’ve done. Super busy, fun, I met a lot of people, cool spots, the horse riding was really good, too. The old bus ride up to the lake was cool, in general it’s quite a well thought out day trip, Luba was lovely and knowledgeable.

This tour was incredible! The canyons and lakes are stunning, and a must-see for anyone visiting Kazakhstan. The tour itself is brilliant - perfectly timed to fit everything in, with an amazing meal in a guest house and a very fun off-road ride in a Soviet UAZ truck that I’ll never forget. Our tour guide Serzh was informative and funny, giving us lots of interesting information about the region and Kazakhstan’s history. If you are travelling to Almaty, you should absolutely do this tour. It’s a long day (5:30am pickup, usually back by 8-10pm depending on the size of the group), but it is absolutely worth the early start. Thank you Serzh!

Interesting visit to the Petroglyphs. About a 3 hour drive each way, and once there, a short museum visit and a hike around the petroglyph sites. Some parts required climbing, others could be seen from the paths. Our guide was knowledgeable and kind, stopping as much as we needed for snacks/lunch/bathroom breaks.

We were very fortunate to have Erasyl as our private guide in Almaty. From early morning pickup to our return to the hotel, he took excellent care of us with his professional approach and advanced English. Erasyl impressed us with his deep knowledge of Kazakhstan's history, science, business, culture, and even politics. He shared fascinating information throughout our journey while always being respectful and mindful of cultural boundaries during our conversations. Erasyl went above and beyond during our visits to Lake Kaindy and Lake Kolsay. When I struggled with walking in these areas, he provided helpful assistance that made me feel comfortable and supported. His hard work, helpful nature, and genuine care made our experience truly special. Erasyl is a wonderful ambassador for his beautiful country Kazakhstan, and we hope he continues to share his knowledge and passion with more visitors in the future.

Lovely day. Big Almaty Lake is gorgeous. Turquoise water, blue sky, snow-capped peaks made for amazing views and photos. Yerkin was a wonderful guide and so helpful providing information and helping my wife who has mobility problems. He picked us up at our hotel and dropped everyone off anywhere in town he/she chose. Small group of enthusiastic travelers added to the experience. If you have health problems I would recommend the car option.