Big Almaty Lake Tour: Scenic National Park Visit

25 Ratings

Almaty

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Explore Big Almaty Lake: Hike or drive to this stunning natural gem. Enjoy breathtaking views, a visitor center, and more. Contact us for details.

Duration: 4 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Big Almaty Lake - Big Almaty Lake: A Natural Gem for Tourists

Big Almaty Lake, nestled in the Tien Shan mountain range close to Almaty, Kazakhstan, is a top destination for nature lovers and adventurers. This alpine reservoir features pristine turquoise waters encircled by snow-covered peaks, providing a tranquil setting for relaxation and photography.

What's Included

Hiking poles
Raincoat
English speaking guide
In-vehicle air conditioning
All fees and/or taxes

What's Not Included

Hiking boots
Snacks
Lunch

Additional Information

Join the adventure to Big Almaty Lake in Ile-Alatau National Park, a “must-see” natural wonder close to the city. Choose between a 14 km hike or a direct car ride.
The car option offers a comfortable journey from your hotel, 60 minutes at the lake, and a return trip to your hotel or another city location of your choice.
For those opting to hike, prepare…

Location

Big Almaty Lake

Ili-Alatau National Park

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.8

(25 Ratings)

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Nilintentum_reliquit

Jun 21, 2025

Reliable and informative - We opted to take the car option. Pick up was at 0600 arrived by 0700 and enjoyed the spectacular lake views among the flowers for an hour. You can climb down to the water level if you so choose. Dropped back in Almaty by 0900. Adam was professional throughout the experience. Thanks for the vote if you found this review helpful.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Eliseb181

Jun 20, 2025

Great evening lake trip - Great evening trip by car to the lake. Amazing views and the guide provided many great facts about Almaty and the mountains. Recommend bringing a picnic to enjoy next to the water!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Qarlac1

Jun 9, 2025

Big Almaty Lake by Car - The tour was very organised and on time. Adam is very knowledgeable and shared a lot of information about the lake and Kazakhstan. I opted for the drive option and it is really worth it. Saves a lot of time and its very convenient. There were only a few people there when we got there since we arrived very early. A Highly recommended tour! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you Adam!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Daria_w

Jun 6, 2025

Beautiful day - I had a fantastic private hiking tour to Big Almaty Lake with Yerkin as my guide. He was perfectly on time, very knowledgeable, and provided great insights into Kazakhstan's history, nature, and culture. The hike itself was amazing — a full day surrounded by beautiful mountains and nature. There were plenty of stops to rest, take photos, and fully enjoy the breathtaking views. The picnic by the lake was wonderful. Overall, a very rewarding and memorable experience

Review provided by Viator

Iammanishg

May 3, 2025

Awesome Tour + Awesome Guide - Adam was an exceptional guide, incredibly knowledgeable and patient. He picked us up early in the morning, and we arrived at the Big Almaty Lake, where we found the entire place to ourselves. It was an incredible sight—literally empty and serene. Adam’s expertise extended to spotting a beaver family, and we were delighted to witness them basking in the sunlight. Later, he took 360-degree videos of the lake using drones, which turned out to be breathtaking. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. Afterward, we ventured to the hot springs, which required a bit of a hike. If you’re feeling adventurous, bring extra clothes for dipping in. Alternatively, you can hike a bit further and explore the surrounding area. Along the way, we stumbled upon a small stream of water originating from a glacier. We drank it, and it was the purest water we’ve ever tasted. Overall, it was a short but incredibly memorable trip. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an unforgettable experience.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Nikhilv478

Nov 19, 2024

Trek to Big Almaty Lake - Walking on the pipeline, trudging through the snow for a view of a lifetime. Our guide Yerkin was superb, and managed our schedule and trek so well. If you're up for a challenge, then definitely do this trek. Make sure you carry water and snacks along with you.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Aayaan1225

Oct 23, 2024

Almaty's Gem **Must-Visit** - This is one of Almaty's true gems. It is impossible to capture the magnificence of this lake in a photograph. One of the most beautiful places we have seen so far. Thank you, Adam Tour, and for our wonderful tour guide, Rustem. :)

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Rochelle_b

Sep 7, 2024

W.O.W - We booked a car tour and visited the lake and the Ayusai Center. Yerkin, our tour guide, speaks excellent English! We learned a lot from him about history, culture, and he also gave us tips on other sights to see and places to eat in Kazakhstan. He even brought us chocolate and tea! Thank you! Highly recommended tour.

Review provided by Viator

F1514gffabiom

Sep 5, 2024

Excellent tour; highly recommend. fantastic view and experience. Yerkin is great - It was an excellent choice. highly recommend. Yerkin (the guide) was fantastic! picked us on time at our hotel, with a nice comfortable car. explained everything. the tour exceeded all expectations. Yerkin knows everything, and took great care of us. if you have short time, pick by car option. only walk if you are really fit. the altitude is high, if you are not well prepared physically, walking for 2,5 hours up the mountain will be extreme. The view at the top is really worth it. I was positvely well surprised with Almaty.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Jotaeleniche

May 31, 2025

It never happened - The trip was canceled the day before its schedule. There was only a 24 hour notice which did not give us enough time to search for alternatives.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $40

up to 6 guests

1 - Adult