The 15 Best Big Almaty Lake Tours

1.Big Almaty Lake Roundtrip Transfer and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 110 reviews · 4 hours · from $69Our pick

This four-hour Panda Travel outing takes you from central Almaty to Big Almaty Lake, 2,511 meters above sea level, without a long hike. English or Russian-speaking guides such as Adam, Karina, Ice, Rustam, and Ais share local stories while you enjoy mountain scenery, pine forests, photo stops, and an eco taxi ride to the lake.

“Even though the lake was frozen when we visited, the beauty was still unbelievable. The ice shimmered under the mountains, and it felt like we were standing inside a postcard. What made it even better was Karina, she didn’t just guide us, she made the whole day feel personal. She shared stories, made sure we were comfortable, and gave us space to really take in the moment. Karina’s energy and care turned this into more than just a tour. It felt like spending the day with a friend who loves her city and wants you to love it too.”

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2.Big Almaty Lake Tour with Optional Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 109 reviews · from $69

Travel from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake with guides such as Dmitriy, Vladimir, or Igor. Choose a local-driver viewpoint visit or a demanding 12 km uphill and downhill hike. Expect mountain scenery, lake history, hotel pickup, national park entry, and flexible add-ons.

“- The tour guide Vladimir arrived on time and made sure I was safe throughout the trip. He also made sure I could climb down the slope safely as my shoes don't have really good grip. - This moderately challenging hike is enjoyable, with the view of the Big Almaty Lake and the natural landscape of the beautiful mountain range. - It is safe to hike with this small group tour, as a solo traveller.”

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3.Big Almaty Lake: Choose Adventure on Foot or by Car

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 47 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $99

Travel from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake with Adam, an English- and Russian-speaking guide. Choose a short car visit with about an hour at the lake, or a demanding 14 km mountain hike to 2,511 meters. The hiking option includes trekking poles, a raincoat, and a picnic stop.

“It’s a moderate hike, takes about 6 hours. It’s exhausting but pretty. Would recommend the hike if you’re an active person or else take the car. Adam was very patient and helpful. He also told us a lot about the city and answered all our questions and also got us tea.”

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4.Big Almaty Lake tour private or group by car or hiking

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · from $69

Travel from central Almaty to Big Almaty Lake, set high in the mountains at about 2,500 meters. Choose a car visit or a demanding 6-kilometer uphill hike, with guides such as Dmitry, Viktor, and Vlad sharing local stories. Allow 3 to 6 hours, bring sturdy shoes and your passport, and confirm pickup details before departure.

“My friend and I had a wonderful hiking experience with our guide, Victor. He was very friendly and shared a lot of interesting information about Big Almaty Mountain. Highly recommended.”

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5.Big Almaty Lake: Choose Your Adventure on Foot or by Car

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · from $79Top rated

Choose a comfortable car trip with about an hour at Big Almaty Lake, or tackle a 14 km mountain route to 2,511 meters. English-speaking guides such as Adam and Yerkin provide transport, poles, raincoats, local insight, photos, tea, and Kazakh sweets. Expect a small group of up to six, but allow extra time for the hike.

“The trek up the pipeline route was tough but exciting. It was totally worth it once we had reached the top.”

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6.Big Almaty Lake – azure eye of Alatau (+ Ayu gorge) half-day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $139

Escape Almaty with a private half-day trip to Big Almaty Lake and Alma-Arasan Gorge. Your guide, such as Dastan or Nursultan, handles the drive, park access, and walking route. Expect a high-mountain lake, a river gorge, hot springs, a small waterfall, bottled water, and flexible start times. The $139.50 price covers your vehicle, guide, and fees, but not lunch.

“They were very accommodating and changed time for us! Our guide was so sweet and very informative! We got to see the lake and a falcon show !”

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7.Big Almaty Lake tour by hiking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $50Best value

Start with hotel pickup at 7:00 am, then hike about 10 km through pine forest, alpine meadows, and rocky mountain paths to Big Almaty Lake at roughly 2,800 meters. Guides such as Nurzhan and Zhandos provide hiking sticks, snacks, local insight, and steady support. The price includes transport, park fees, and return drop-off.

“Nurzhan was an amazing guide. The whole trip was just pure vibes. Just the 3 of us climbing up talking and having fun. It was amazing. He also treated us well, gave us cats for our shoes, water, and snacks.”

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8.Big Almaty Lake with Horseback Riding Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $69

Travel from central Almaty to Big Almaty Lake at 2,500 meters, with air-conditioned transport, park entry, water, a 20-minute Ayusai Visitor Center stop, and optional 50-minute horseback riding for about $12. Guide Madena has been praised for her warm, helpful approach.

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9.Hiking to the magical Big Almaty Lake

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 7 reviews · 8 hours · from $162

Spend about eight hours hiking from Almaty into Ile-Alatau National Park and up to Big Almaty Lake. Guides such as Rustem, Almart, and Ilyas help with route choices, photos, warm drinks, and safety. Expect a demanding trek, changing lake colors, forest paths, river crossings, and wide Tian Shan views. Hotel pickup, park entry, water, and lemonade are included.

“I booked this hike on a Friday but ended up getting food poisoning, and the organizers were kind enough to help me reschedule to Saturday. The driver and guide met me at my hotel and the total hike took about 4 hours. A little disappointed with the lake receding due to the recent damn that was built, but the hike was beautiful. Mountain views for days. There are 3 options for the hike, using the normal paved road or going up and down the pipeline which is intense if you do not hike. We had a small picnic with provided tea and sandwhiches as well which was nice. If you…”

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10.Almaty lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $144

Travel from Almaty into the Tien Shan Mountains on a roughly three-hour guided trip to Big Almaty Lake. Guides such as Gulzat and Yelnar lead the outing, with stops for the Girl’s Tears waterfall, mountain rivers, fir forests, and snowy peaks. Bring your passport, warm clothes, and sturdy shoes.

“Big Almaty lake was very beautiful. We just went there to take some photos, then went to some waterfalls but I couldn't go further because I didn't have the proper boots for it. Either way, I think it was a nice experience! Elnar, our guide, was very friendly, helpful, and kind 😀”

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11.Medeu and Shymbulak + Big Almaty Lake and Falcon show (Private day-tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $218

Leave Almaty at 7:00 a.m. for a private day in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. You’ll visit Medeu, ride the cable car at Shymbulak to 3,200 meters, relax beside Big Almaty Lake, and watch falcons and golden eagles at Sunkar. Hotel pickup, guide service, transport, water, and entry tickets are included.

“Nursultan was great and the trip was good overall! He was attentive and flexible. Give good suggestions!”

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12.Private Big Almaty Lake Hiking Tour with alternatgive Pipeline

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $70

Travel by private SUV from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake at 2,511 meters, then hike beside spring water at Alma-Arasan and visit Ayusai Gorge. An English-speaking guide, hotel or airport pickup, entry fees, parking, and bottled water are included. The tour ends at First President’s Park.

“Really fantastic tour! Our tour guide, Erasyl, was incredibly kind and really made sure we enjoyed our experience. He catered to the whole tour based on our needs and made us feel very comfortable. We are 3 young girls travelling so the Read more”

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13.Electric Bike Tour to Big Almaty Lake or Kok-Zhailau

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 3 reviews · 4 hours · from $115

Choose a four-hour e-bike outing from First President’s Park to Big Almaty Lake or Kok-Zhailau. You’ll ride with an English, Russian, or Kazakh-speaking instructor, use included safety gear, and enjoy fresh mountain air just outside Almaty. The BAO route brings forested roads and a turquoise alpine lake. Kok-Zhailau offers a quieter meadow and city views.

“It was great! I didn't expect that it will be an actual bike, not the bicycle 😀 but that was even better. Because the way to the top is pretty long. Enjoyed our time on top and on the way”

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14.Big Almaty lake tour off road bike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 1 day · from $160

Ride a powerful electric off-road bike from Almaty toward Big Almaty Lake with a Russian- or English-speaking instructor. You get hotel pickup, safety equipment, bike rental, and national entrance fees. The ride lasts about two hours, and the route may also be arranged for Kok Zhailau, Shymbulak, or Almarasan.

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15.Big Almaty Lake and City Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $200

Start at 8:00 a.m. with Abdi Travel for a private Almaty outing to Big Almaty Lake. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned SUV, with admission, taxes, and bottled water included. The tour lasts about four to six hours and may include city sightseeing, though the published plan gives the lake the clearest focus.

“If you plann to visit Kazakhstan I am pretty sure you couldn't find the tour better, but with Aidyn. It was great. Thanks a lot!”

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