The 15 Best Big Almaty Lake Tours

1.Big Almaty Lake Roundtrip Transfer and Tour

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

Travel from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake by road and eco taxi, with an English or Russian-speaking guide such as Adam, Karina, Ice, or Rustam. Expect pine forests, high mountain views, changing blue water, and possible extra stops such as a waterfall or apple orchard.

“It was 5 hrs which was perfect . There was there was 9 people on the tour so the van wasn’t full , our guide ice was very chatty and very friendly & approach to talk to . The van driver was a very good driver . We all had a lovely meal too . Would definitely recommend this tour”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Big Almaty Lake Tour with Optional Hike

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

Choose a car ride to a Big Almaty Lake viewpoint or a demanding 12 km hike with guides such as Dmitriy, Vladimir, or Igor. You will see the lake at about 2,500 meters, hear stories about the mountains, and travel from Almaty with park entry and transport included.

“Dmitriy is an extremely knowledgeable guide, giving us in depth history of Kazakhstan on the journey to the mountains. He also explained how the mountain lakes etc were formed which was very interesting. The hike itself was amazing. It was challenging, but that made the view at the Big Almaty Lake even better. It truly is a stunning lake and the mountain views all through the hike are breathtaking. I would fully recommend this to anyone who is capable. Make sure to wear shoes with good grip👍 One of the best experiences of my life.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Adam Hiking Tours takes you from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake by car or on a 14 km mountain trail reaching 2,511 m. Expect an English or Russian-speaking guide, small groups of up to six, panoramic viewpoints, Moon Valley, trekking poles, rain protection, and a picnic stop for hikers.

“Very nice and friendly tour guide Also very knowledgable about history of Almaty Very thoughtful of him to bring along a drone and a flask of hot tea as well”

Check availability →Read our full review

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 by car or on a demanding 6-kilometer uphill hike. Guides such as Dmitry, Viktor, and Vlad explain the lake, mountains, and Kazakhstan’s past. Expect 40 to 60 minutes at the lake, mountain weather, and a possible 300-meter walk.

“Vlad messaged me the might before telling me the pick up time and location, when i got to pick up point he’s already there waiting! we got to the starting point early so the hike was a breeze, he’s really funny but also reassuring. Going doRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Choose a comfortable car trip or a demanding 14 km hike to Big Almaty Lake from Almaty. Guides such as Adam and Yerkin provide transport, local insight, hiking poles, raincoats, tea, and photo help. Expect turquoise water, high Tien Shan views, and weather-dependent plans.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel by private air-conditioned vehicle from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake and Alma-Arasan Gorge. Guides such as Dastan and Nursultan provide flexible timing, local insight, and help on the gorge trail, where you may reach hot springs and a waterfall.

“Nursultan was great. He was a very friendly, knowledgeable, understanding, and accommodating tour guide. The evening before, he contacted me via whatsapp and answered all my questions. The morning of our tour, he was on-time Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Big Almaty Lake tour by hiking

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

Join guides such as Nurzhan, Zhandos, or Sultan for a 10-kilometer hike to Big Almaty Lake at about 2,800 meters. Expect a 6 to 7-hour outing, 600 to 800 meters of ascent, rocky paths, pine forest, and a small group of up to eight people.

“It was a memorable experience hiking upto Big Almaty with the ever cheerful and helpful Nurzhan and his team. Not only did they help us in the difficult parts of the terrain but also explained in detail about the region and its significance. Would highly recommend this hike to new travellers!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Big Almaty Lake with Horseback Riding Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $69

Leave central Almaty at 7:30 am for turquoise Big Almaty Lake at 2,500 meters, then visit Ayusai Visitors Center and ride horses in Ile-Alatau National Park. Guide Madena may lead the day. Transport, park entry, and water are included; lunch and horseback riding cost extra.

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Hiking to the magical Big Almaty Lake

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

Spend about eight hours leaving Almaty for a strenuous hike to Big Almaty Lake with guides such as Rustem, Almart, or Ilyas. Walk through pine, birch, poplar, apple, and spruce forests, cross mountain rivers, and choose between gentler roads and tougher routes.

“It was a great activity! Although the hike is a little tougher than I expected, Rustem was extremely kind, assisting me all the time and caring for me to have an incredible experience. I recommend this activity to anyone who’s into hiking and enjoying beautiful lake views.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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 may lead the outing, which includes snowy peaks, Girl’s Tears waterfall, mountain roads, and pickup from your accommodation.

“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 😀”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $218

Travel from Almaty into the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains with a private guide, visiting Medeu, riding Shymbulak’s cable car to 3,200 meters, relaxing at Big Almaty Lake, and watching falcons, eagles, and vultures at Sunkar. Nursultan is praised for attentive, flexible guiding.

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

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Private Big Almaty Lake Hiking Tour with alternatgive Pipeline

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $70

Spend about 8.5 hours with a private guide exploring Big Almaty Lake, Alma-Arasan Gorge, Ayusai Gorge, and First President’s Park. Expect mountain roads, a 1-kilometer river hike, waterfalls, hotel pickup, bottled water, and a moderate fitness requirement. Ask about the advertised Pipeline alternative before booking.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Choose a four-hour electric-bike ride from First President’s Park to Big Almaty Lake or Kok-Zhailau. A local instructor leads the route in English, Russian, or Kazakh, with bikes, safety gear, environmental fees, and transfers included.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Big Almaty lake tour off road bike

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

You ride a powerful electric off-road bike from Almaty toward Big Almaty Lake, with an English or Russian-speaking instructor beside you. Hotel pickup, return transport, bike rental, protective gear, and national entrance fees are included. Bicycle or scooter experience is required.

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Big Almaty Lake and City Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $200

Travel from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake in a private, air-conditioned SUV with an Abdi Travel guide. Expect a flexible half-day outing, bottled water, included fees, and a high-altitude mountain setting. The detailed plan centers on the lake, so confirm which city sights are included.

“Abdi certainly lives up to his name as the best tour guide in Almaty! He planned all our itineraries, including accommodation, transportation in a comfortable 4WD and meals. I really loved how he was always flexible enough to make changes based on our preferRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review