Big Almaty Lake Hike and Falcon Show Experience
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Almaty, Kazakhstan
- 5 to 8 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- English speaking guide
- National parks entrance fees
- Hotel Pick-up and drop
- Lunch
- Snacks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
You can write any address in the city center. We will send you all information of pick up time and transport the day before the tour. We will pick-up you from your hotel with our mini bus or send you taxi. You will come to nearest hotel.
Start time.7:00 am
Itinerary
1
Big Almaty Lake
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
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.
Reviews
4.9
based on 74 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
I booked this tour as an Almaty Lake + Falcon Show experience. I opted for the car option vs the hike, which was probably the less common option picked by most tourists. Their tour required me to book for a minimum of 2 people, so I assumed this was a private tour. I didn't mind paying the amount if it was a private tour that included both the lake and the falcon show. However, when I got into the van, I was advised that another passenger had to be picked up. I didn't complain about it. However, when the other passenger got in, the driver told us that he would just be driving us to the lake where we would spend 30 to 45 minutes and return to the city. I was shocked that I paid US$180 for a quick trip to a nearby lake. When I complained about it and asked to at least include the Ethno Village for the price I paid, they reluctantly agreed. We got dropped off at a smaller nomad village (vs Huns which is supposed to be bigger). After spending around 3 hours there we got dropped off at a point where a yandex taxi was ordered for us to get to the entrance of the lake. We waited 30 minutes for another driver to take us to the top of the hill where the lake was. After 45 minutes he drove us back down. And another yandex was ordered for us (after enquiring about next steps) to take us back to our individual hotels. The taxi took around 25 minutes to arrive.
When I complained to the tour operator about the debacle, they said they never advertised it as a private tour and I was at fault for knowingly booking it for 2 people. I was confused why I had to book for a minimum of 2 people for a group tour and how another passenger was able to book it through another app as a solo trip. As for the falcon show, they claimed we didn't read the options carefully where the falcon show wasn't mentioned. The ticket I received clearly mentioned the inclusion of the falcon show. It's pathetic that they thought it was reasonable for anyone to pay that much for a group tour for a quick visit to a nearby lake. I was also shocked that they were justifying their claims and actions. I would however like to thank the first driver for helping out to the extent possible. I wouldn't recommend this tour company to anyone.
John/Nuzhan was an excellent guide. Flawless English and good company. The hike to the lake is easy and not technical at all (there is even an option to walk the whole way on a concrete road), but with quite some meters of ascend it makes for a nice excercise. Overall a fun, active day trip just a short drive from Almaty.
Our guide Aidyn was a very nice person and explained us many interesting facts about the lake and Kazakh culture and history. Moreover, he could manage a group with people hiking with very different pace guaranteeing the best experience for all of us.
The lake is also very beautiful with several viewpoints with a wonderful landscape on the lake itself and the surrounding peaks.
However, the logistics of the trip was not as great as the rest. Despite the car that brought us there was big and comfortable, when we came back we found out that the driver abandoned us there for a problem with his car and the agency could not send an other one. Even though the guide tried its best to help us, we waited for an hour and, in the end, we had to take a Yandex to come back to Almaty.
Don't book with this company - they cancelled our hike 15 minutes before an early morning pickup, and said they would move us to a 1pm slot without hiking. They offered no discount for the shortened excursion, but we agreed in writing to join the 1pm group anyways. At 1:05pm, we began texting to see where the driver was. The company did not and has still not returned our texts, they just ghosted us. Disappointing because we wasted a day just waiting around for them. Their tour company name is Kazakhstan Very Nice. I suggest booking with a different company.
Really easy going and can go at an easy pace.
Tour leader was Nurzhan! Was excellent and couldn’t recommend him more
It was a great experience despite the rain. Batyr helped me a lot in the hike and the view was still stunning. I wish there was no rain that day though, the lake would have been perfect shade of blue.
Firstly, this a 12 km hike which I would rate to be moderate-difficult due to the steep and rocky climb. If you enjoy that, this a fantastic experience! Our guide, John was a nice guy and we enjoyed it thoroughly. There was a hiccup on our tour because our group got separated due to differing fitness levels and it took considerable time to regroup towards the end. But overall, a must do in Almaty!
A very nice guide. He talked a lot about the nature and culture of Kazakhstan. I recommend it!!!!!!!
I was pick up on time and well organized car to get to the starting point of hiking. That day we have two tour guides helping us Mr. John and Mr.Zhandos to read us all through the way to the Big Almaty Lek. They are very knowledgeable and helpful.
Decent physical fitness is necessary. Beginning area of the hike can be difficult otherwise. Good morning start time avoids sun and crowds. Tour guide was very nice and friendly, and pickup was on time. There was no rush. Would’ve maybe liked to hear some background info on the area but otherwise all good!
tired but worth it!
Thanks our guide Mr. Alibi!
Fluent in English, take care of everyone in our group.
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.
We were picked up on time in our hotel, the lake is near the city, about 22 km. The Saida guide was very attentive and speaks fluent English and very easy to understand. The walk is not very easy, requires a certain physical preparation, but the arrival to the lake compensates, amazing place, take snack to make a beautiful picnic.
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$66.50
per personWas $70.00(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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