Top Almaty How to Get Around

Customize your own day tour from Almaty by visiting two of the three most impressive natural sites in the area. Choose between Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon, as you’ll have time to visit two of these places in one day from Almaty. Whichever destinations you choose, you can admire mountainous landscapes, beautiful rivers and lakes, and lush forests.

Escape the crowds and enjoy a private tour of Almaty with hotel pickup and drop-off. See the exquisite natural landscapes of Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, surrounded by forest and mountains. Take in the unique scenery with plenty of time to stop and take photographs. Visit the incredible Charyn Canyon, with dramatic and unique rock formations.

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.

Tanbaly museum-reserve complex is one of the most impressive historical sites in Kazakhstan. A great example of Bronze and Iron Age art, documented on the rocky hills of Chu-Ile mountains. It has a massive scientific and cultural value not only for Kazakhstan, but worldwide. Great size of the complex, number of petroglyphs (over 5000), technique which was used to create them and a geographical position make it a special place. Part of the road goes through the real kazakh steppes, vast flatlands with mountain background, amazing views, traditional lifestyle and some animals to see on the way. The walk inside the Tanbaly is not difficult and suitable for people with moderate fitness level. There is around 2 km walk and some hike between the petroglyphs.

Welcome to Kazakhstan! Over 2 unforgettable days, explore five of the most spectacular natural wonders of the Tian-Shan mountains in one group adventure. Day 1: Black Canyon → Moon Canyon → Kolsai Lake. Evening campfire under a sky full of stars in Saty village. Day 2: Soviet UAZ-452 ride to Kaindy Lake with its famous submerged forest → Charyn Canyon — the Grand Canyon of Central Asia. Optional boat ride and horseback riding available on-site. Accommodation in Saty village — choose your comfort: Standard room (shared bathroom) — included in base price En-suite room (private bathroom) — available for extra charge ⛺ Yurt experience (shared with group, sleeping on traditional floor mats) — available for extra charge All meals included: 2 lunches, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast. English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup from 7 AM. Maximum 30-35 people.

This extended day tour takes you to two of Almaty’s most popular natural attractions—Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon—so you don’t need to plan anything. Your guide takes care of the logistics, including finding the most scenic photo spots, and the tour includes a filling local lunch, entrance fees, hotel pickup, and air-conditioned minibus travel. Get personalized attention and have all your questions answered, too, on a small-group tour.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Big Almaty Lake, the crown jewel of Almaty's natural wonders. Nestled amidst the magnificent Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, this turquoise oasis at 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level is a sight to behold. Discover the captivating beauty of this stunning lake formed by the forces of nature. While the road might be temporarily closed, fear not. An exclusive solution allows you to reach Big Almaty Lake by car.

Your private adventure begins at 5:30 AM with hotel pickup in a comfortable 4x4 SUV. Drive through Kazakhstan's scenic countryside to Kolsai Lake, where you'll have free time to explore and take photos. Enjoy an optional lunch overlooking the lake before continuing to the famous Kaindy Lake. From the parking area, it's a 15-minute walk, or you can take a local UAZ shuttle or horse (extra cost). In the afternoon, visit the breathtaking Charyn Canyon during golden hour for unforgettable views. Optional safari shuttle available inside the canyon. Return to Almaty around 8:00 PM. Feel free to ask your guide to take photos—we'll be happy to capture your memories! Optional extras: lunch, horse ride, UAZ transfer, and canyon shuttle.

Discover the dramatic canyon landscapes of Kazakhstan in one action-packed day from Almaty. Your journey takes you through three stunning canyons, each with its own distinct character. Charyn Canyon — towering red rock formations stretching 154 km, often called the Grand Canyon of Central Asia. Walk the lower trail through the legendary Valley of Castles, then climb to the upper rim for a panoramic view of the entire canyon. Continue to the mysterious Black Canyon, where dark volcanic walls create a striking contrast, and finish at the surreal Moon Canyon — pale, crumbling formations that look like a lunar landscape. A hot homemade lunch is included mid-tour at a local café. Private Tour: Same route, your group only — flexible pace and personalized attention. English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup from 7 AM. All national park entrance fees included. Maximum 10 people per group.

Unique Tour of Almaty: Kolsay Lakes, Kaindy Lake, and the Charyn Canyon Immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Almaty! Our tour includes visits to three incredible locations: Kolsay Lake - picturesque waters surrounded by mountains, perfect for relaxation and photos. Kaindy Lake - a unique lake with poplars growing right in the water. Charyn Canyon - vibrant cliffs and breathtaking views that will leave you in awe. With us, you'll discover the best natural spots, enjoy comfort, and create unforgettable memories! As a nice bonus, every guest will receive a small gift during the tour -- a thoughtful touch to make your trip even more special.

Get to know Almaty better on a private, half-day guided tour of the city. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors who have just arrived. Avoid the risk of getting lost or struggling with public transport in a different language, as taking a tour makes sightseeing easy. Visit Almaty highlights such as the Central Mosque and Kok-Tobe Hill, from where you can admire the views.

7:00 AM — departure from your hotel by jeep/SUV. Drive 80 km (about 2 hours). First stop — Issyk Lake (1,760 meters above sea level). Time for a walk and photos. Next — a 1-hour hike to Bear Waterfall. The trail is suitable for both children and seniors. Time to relax, take photos, and swim if you’d like. Hike back to the car — about 1 hour. Drive to a trout farm — около 1 hour. Fishing is optional (extra charge). Your catch can be cooked on site. Lunch. Return to Almaty — about 2 hours. Hotel drop-off around 6:00 PM. Feel free to ask your guide to take photos throughout the day!

Explore the wilderness of Kungey Alatau mountains in one of our most authentic and adventure mixed horseback riding and hiking trips to Kolsay Lakes. You will explore wild and unknown trails avoiding crowded and touristic places, get an unusual experience of traveling by horse and feet in wild environment among the beauties of pristine untouched nature, enjoy the simple camping life, try the lifestyle of Nomads and feel the spirit of discovery.

Embark on a private, 4 hours guided tour of Almaty, perfect for first-time visitors seeking a seamless introduction to the city. You'll explore iconic sites like the Central Mosque, Kok-Tobe Hill with its stunning panoramic views, and the vibrant Green Bazaar. This tour is designed to eliminate the stress of navigating Almaty on your own, offering a hassle-free experience as you uncover the city's cultural gems. Ideal for adventure seekers and cultural enthusiasts, this tour provides insider knowledge and memorable encounters with Almaty's rich traditions.

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!

05:00 Pick-up and Depature from Almaty 07:00 shortstop for coffee/WC 8:40 Arrival at Charyn Canyon "Valley of the Castles" Visiting sereral spots,walking Along canyon Black Canyon,Viewing spot Photographing 12:00 Arrival at Saty village, transfer to Kaindy Lake In Kaiyndy lake car goes until parking point. From parking until the lake 2km of walk. You can use horses or taxi insead of walking. 14:30 transfer to saty 14:30 Lunch in the guesthouse 16:00 Transfer to the Lower Kolsai Lake from Saty 17:00 Leaving Kolsai Lakes National Park 20:30 Shortstop for coffee/WC 22:00 Drop-off in Almaty

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.

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.

Our tour programme is really unique, during one day guests visit 6 interesting, different locations in the canyons of Charyn River. In addition to walking inside the popular Castle Valley Canyon (Location # 1), we offer guests a visit to the observation deck, the view from the top of Castle Valley Canyon is a breathtaking view of the entire canyon (Location # 2). Next we visit Moon Canyon with a truly lunar, ethereal scale, the ground turns from a burgundy colour to a yellow hue (Location # 3). The next stop on the route is "Stone Shelf", a place with volcanic activity a million years ago (Location # 4). The "Napoleon" location includes an unforgettable view of the main canyon of the Charyn River and a huge amount of free space (Location # 5). The last point of the route is the "Austrian View" - the turns of the Charyn River take shape in the form of a giant snake, bordered by the green edge of an ancient tree - turanga (Location # 6).

Want to visit top sights in Almaty in one day?! Then do it to us! We visit the world-famous Medeo high mountain ice rink at an altitude of 1691 meters above sea level. Next, we make a mini ascent up the Health Mountain Staircase to Medeo Dam - 842 steps. From here you can enjoy a fantastic panorama of the mountain peaks of the Ile-Alatau National Park. Afterwards, we drive to the Medeo – Shymbulak gondola road and take the high-altitude cable car to the Shymbulak ski resort. Here you will understand why this Resort has been officially added to the Guinness Book of Records, and you will be greatly impressed by the beauty of the peaks and glaciers of the Tien Shan Mountains. All three locations in one day as part of a luxurious, action-packed excursion!

We will explore the pure nature and historical architectures of Almaty city during the whole day. The only thing we guarantee is that you have chosen the best option for your Almaty city tour.

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.

Let's get started! My name is Andrey, I am a guide and co-owner of small local company based in Almaty briefly about myself. I'm 38 year and I am originally from Almaty! I have 8 years experience as a guide and I will help you to organize outdoor activities trip. I underwent First Aid training and got a Certificate, which is compulsory in my job and I am trying my best to excel in all services I provide as I need to ensure the safety as first priority. I am here to provide high quality and professional services for every guest to have memorable and unforgettable experience about my country and region. Thus, my tourists come back and they know that everything I offer them will be excelled .... Happy guest is always happy memories and happy moments to share!

Visit two of Kazakhstan’s most impressive natural sites on an easy private day tour from Almaty. After an early morning pickup from your hotel, head to ancient Charyn Canyon, where you can admire the views and take a short (1.8-mile/3-kilometer) hike. In the afternoon, head to Kolsai Lake, which has beautiful reflective views of the Tien Shan Mountains. This is a must-do tour for nature lovers.