Kazakhstan · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in Kazakhstan

140 tours  ·  from $20

Everything with a guide, a driver or a minibus attached, in one list. The 15 here are the ones worth giving a whole day to, with prices, durations and how early each one leaves.

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour - Charyn Canyon and the Valley of the Castles
Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kaindy Lake Tours, Kolsai Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour

1.Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 642 reviews · from $58Our pick

Leave Almaty before sunrise for Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Lower Kolsai Lake. An English-speaking guide such as Amina, Sabina, Didi, or Nurjan leads the day, with a local lunch and a bumpy Soviet UAZ ride to Kaindy. Expect long drives and walking.

“We had a wonderful time at the lakes and canyons, and Amina was a fantastic guide. It was a long day, but everything was well paced. Lunch was very nice, and the views were stunning - thoroughly recommended!”

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Almaty: Kolsai Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyons 2-Day Tour - Charyn Canyon: red rock and a big first impression
2-Day Experiences, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kaindy Lake Tours, Kolsai Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty: Kolsai Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyons 2-Day Tour

2.Kolsai Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyons 2-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 432 reviews · 2 days · from $130

Spend two days exploring Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Charyn, Black, and Moon Canyons from Almaty. Guides such as Luba, Naz, Aidar, and Zhenis lead the route in English or Russian, with Kazakh meals, a yurt stay, bonfire games, and an off-road Soviet van ride to Kaindy.

“Very enjoyable tour with more than enough time to enjoy every stop. Naz was amazing and made the journey very straightforward. She also gave us a good introduction about the culture and life in the country. Highly recommended.”

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Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour - Day 1: Moon Canyon, Black Canyon, and Lower Kolsai
2-Day Experiences, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kaindy Lake Tours, Kolsai Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour

3.Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 392 reviews · from $130

Travel from Almaty to Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon and Moon Canyon in two busy days. You get park fees, meals, transport, a yurt stay and an off-road Soviet van ride. Guides have included Nazerke, Zhenis, Dana and Aigerim, with guide quality varying by departure.

“The tour was very well organized. I had a great time visiting each of the sites, we got ample time to enjoy and take in the scenery. Food was great and so was the yurt accommodation. Now coming to one of the best parts of the tour - our tour guide Aigerim!!! She is the best. A great guide as well as a fun person. We had a lot of fun at the bonfire and the multiple rounds of Uno games that we played after. Lovedd her playlist too hehe :D Also, shoutout to our wonderful driver - Ruslan!! - Yours truly, Masuma (Manisa, Manusa, Minisa etc., etc.) 😆”

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Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Tour (lunch included) - Moon Canyon and Black Canyon add welcome variety
Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kaindy Lake Tours, Kolsai Lakes Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Tour (lunch included)

4.Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Tour (lunch included)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 292 reviews · from $57

From a 6am pickup in Almaty, you visit Charyn Canyon, Moon Canyon, Black Canyon, Lower Kolsai Lake, and Kaindy Lake in one packed day. Guides such as Luba, Kuanysh, Azamat, Aika, and Serzhan lead the route, with local lunch and a memorable Soviet van ride included.

“This is a solid one-day activity to experience the Kazakh outdoors. We went to 5 sites, including a ride on an old Soviet bus and a pony, with a delicious lunch at a local home. If you have more time, stretching it to a two-day trip with an overnRead more”

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Almaty: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyon Day Tour - The early pickup and the long road east
Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kaindy Lake Tours, Kolsai Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyon Day Tour

5.Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyon Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 198 reviews · 17 hours · from $57

Pack five major Almaty-region sights into one demanding day. You’ll ride a comfortable bus, switch to a Soviet van for Kaindy, hike to two alpine lakes, and eat home-cooked Kazakh food in Saty. English-speaking guides such as Aika, Serzh, and Kuanysh add useful context and keep the schedule moving.

“Our tour guide Aider is knowledgeable and explains everything in detail. Time management was perfect. The car came late. Hence we reached home at 11.0 pm. But the experience was nice. I shall recommend this tour to all.”

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Almaty: 2-Day Tour to Kolsai-Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon - The long road from Almaty to Saty Village
2-Day Experiences, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kaindy Lake Tours, Kolsai Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty: 2-Day Tour to Kolsai-Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon

6.2-Day Tour to Kolsai-Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 196 reviews · 2 days · from $105

Join an English or Russian-speaking guide such as Zhanna, Daniel, Aya, or Rollan for lakes, canyons, a Soviet UAZ ride, village homestay meals, and a bonfire near Saty. Choose a one-night morning departure or a two-night evening departure from Almaty.

“One of the best tours I’ve done! If you’re wanting to see the best parts of Kazakhstan, 100% book this tour. Danny our tour guide was amazing and couldn’t have been better, always bringing the good vibes & making sure everyone was happy! Everything was seamless and we had an awesome group of people.”

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Almaty: City tour and Medeu, Shymbulak and Kok-Tobe - The cable car to Shymbulak
Almaty Tours, City Tours, Medeu and Shymbulak Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty: City tour and Medeu, Shymbulak and Kok-Tobe

7.City tour and Medeu, Shymbulak and Kok-Tobe

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 163 reviews · 11 hours · from $49

Spend a full day seeing Almaty from several angles: climb Medeu’s 842-step Health Staircase, ride the cable car to Shymbulak, visit Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral, shop at Green Bazaar and Rahat, then take in the city from Kok-Tobe. English and Russian guides include Alina, Dilnaz, Zhanna, and Zhibek.

“traffic jam and thick fog at shymbulak. despite that its a pleasant day trip.”

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Almaty: Lake Issyk with Turgen Waterfall Day Tour - Leaving Almaty in a small group
Almaty Tours, Issyk Lake Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Turgen Gorge Tours

Almaty: Lake Issyk with Turgen Waterfall Day Tour

8.Lake Issyk with Turgen Waterfall Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 127 reviews · 9 hours · from $32Best value

Spend nine hours beyond Almaty with an English or Russian-speaking guide, hiking to Bear Waterfall in Turgen Gorge and visiting turquoise Lake Issyk. Guides such as Aika, Amal, Shakh, and Azamat have been praised for friendly service, useful stories, and careful help on the rocky trail.

“Guide was so nice and humble, good vehicle nice driver and overall exciting trip.”

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Almaty City: Big Almaty Lake Roundtrip Transfer and Tour - Apple orchard, waterfall, and gorge side stops
Almaty City Tours, Almaty Tours, Big Almaty Lake Tours, City Tours, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty City: Big Almaty Lake Roundtrip Transfer and Tour

9.Big Almaty Lake Roundtrip Transfer and Tour

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

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”

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Big Almaty Lake Tour with Optional Hike - The car option: easier access and more time for views
Almaty Tours, Big Almaty Lake Tours, Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours

Big Almaty Lake Tour with Optional Hike

10.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.”

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Astana City Tour: Private Full Day with Lunch and Comfort Pickup - Nur-Astana Mosque and Hazret Sultan Mosque
Astana City Tours, Astana Tours, City Tours, Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Astana City Tour: Private Full Day with Lunch and Comfort Pickup

11.Astana City Tour: Private Full Day with Lunch and Comfort Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · from $149

Spend 6 to 7 hours touring Astana with a private English-speaking guide such as Zhalgas, Bauyrzhan, or Kadyrbek. See Bayterek Tower, major mosques, Khan Shatyr, the National Museum, and the Atyrau Bridge, with lunch and optional local wine tasting.

“Everything was well-organized: delicious food, a comfortable private car, and great company and conversations with the guide. I enjoyed every moment. The highlight was the wine tasting at the end with many types of wine, everyone will find something for themselves!”

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Astana City Tour: Explore Night City with a Certified Guide - Assumption Cathedral: a quieter opening stop
Astana City Tours, Astana Tours, City Tours, Evening Experiences, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours

Astana City Tour: Explore Night City with a Certified Guide

12.Astana City Tour: Explore Night City with a Certified Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · 4 hours · from $49

Spend four evening hours seeing Astana’s key monuments under lights, with hotel pickup, an air-conditioned vehicle, Wi-Fi, drinks, and an English or Russian-speaking guide. Damir, Arsen, and Abay are among the guides reported for this tour, with time for photo stops and questions.

“Damir our guide was courteous, professional & extremely knowledgeable about the culture & history of Kazakhstan & Astana's monuments. It was such a magical experience seeing all the sights lit up at night & one I will never forget. If you're looking for something to do in Astana, this is a must. Thank you Damir.”

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Lake Issyk with Turgen (Bear) Waterfall tour - Lake Issyk at 1,756 meters
Almaty Tours, Issyk Lake Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Turgen Gorge Tours

Lake Issyk with Turgen (Bear) Waterfall tour

13.Lake Issyk with Turgen (Bear) Waterfall tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $32

Spend a full day outside Almaty, hiking to Turgen’s Bear Waterfall and visiting turquoise Lake Issyk. The $32 tour includes transport, water, park fees, and a guide such as Aza, Medina, or Azamat. Expect a group of up to 25, an à la carte lunch, and moderate walking.

“Medina was a wonderful tour guide. She was fun and informative and brought all the members of the tour together. We all enjoyed our time on the trip.”

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Astana: Burabay Oasis Private Tour+ Lunch+ Pickup+ Bonus Activity - Abylai Khan Meadow pairs lunch with quiet scenery
Astana City Tours, Astana Tours, Burabay Tours, Lunch Experiences, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Astana: Burabay Oasis Private Tour+ Lunch+ Pickup+ Bonus Activity

14.Burabay Oasis Private Tour+ Lunch+ Pickup+ Bonus Activity

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $249

Travel from Astana to Burabay National Park for a private 10 to 12-hour day with pickup, a gentle climb up Bolektau, lunch beside the pine forest, and a boat ride toward Zhumbaktas or horseback riding. Guides such as Madi, Damir, Kadyrbek, and Amir have led this route.

“As a nature lover, I thoroughly enjoyed this tour! Kadyrbek, my guide, was knowledgeable, polite, and courteous, making me feel safe throughout the journey. His fluent English made everything effortless. Highly recommended!”

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Singing dunes & Aktau mountains group tour to Altyn Emel - The 5:30 a.m. start and the long ride east
Aktau Mountains Tours, Almaty Tours, Altyn Emel and Singing Dune Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Singing dunes & Aktau mountains group tour to Altyn Emel

15.Singing dunes & Aktau mountains group tour to Altyn Emel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $250

Set out from Almaty at 5:30 a.m. with an English-speaking guide such as Bek, Kassym, Elnar, or Aya. Visit the chalky Aktau Mountains, volcanic Katutau formations, and 150-meter Singing Dunes, with park fees, lunch, water, snacks, and transport included.

“Kassym is a definitely friendly and informative guides. The hiking journey is not tiring due to great conversation. Nice lunch at the local guest house is definitely a warm and exciting experience.”

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New in Tours

★ 5.0The Silk Road tour of KazakhstanFrom $3473 reviews
★ 5.0The Old City TourFrom $933 reviews
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★ 5.0Half Day Private Astana City Tour in ComfortFrom $905 reviews
★ 5.02 Days Private Kolsai and Kaindy TourFrom $2694 reviews
★ 4.52 day tour to Altyn Emel Singing Dune and Aktau mountainFrom $2804 reviews
★ 5.0Personalized guided Car Tours to Charyn Canyon & Kolsay Lake4 reviews
★ 5.0Private Big Almaty Lake Hiking Tour with alternatgive PipelineFrom $704 reviews
★ 5.0Private Day Tour to the Land of Canyons-UNESCO-of KazakhstanFrom $4004 reviews
★ 5.0Altyn Emel, Singing Dune, Charyn canyon, Kolsay, Kaindy lake 4 days tourFrom $8823 reviews
★ 5.0Charyn Kolsay Kaindy Private TourFrom $1903 reviews
★ 5.0Charyn Canyon and Black Canyon 1 Day Private TourFrom $1754 reviews
★ 5.0Big Almaty Lake and City Private TourFrom $2003 reviews
★ 5.0Authentic food tour in AlmatyFrom $904 reviews
★ 5.0Altyn Emel National Park, Private tour, 2 days from AlmatyFrom $5264 reviews

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Charyn Canyon Tours58Kolsai Lakes Tours52Kaindy Lake Tours43Big Almaty Lake Tours15Almaty City Tours9Astana City Tours23
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Explore Kazakhstan

Pick a canyon, a lake, a ridge or a bazaar.

Canyons and lakes

Charyn CanyonKolsai LakesKaindy LakeBig Almaty LakeIssyk Lake

Above the city

Medeu and ShymbulakKok TobeHiking DaysTurgen Gorge

Steppe and desert

Singing DuneAktau MountainsBlack CanyonNational ParksHorse Riding

City days

Almaty CityAstana CityCity ToursWalking ToursHistory Tours