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Close to the city

Big Almaty Lake and the mountain road

A winding road to a lake at 2,500 m. In some months the water is milk-green. In others it is ice.

All trips

Starts and ends
Almaty
Distance
90 km by road
Length
8 hours
Start time
08:00
Season
All year
Language
English, Russian
Level
Easy
Options
Group or private
Book a group seat · $69Book private

Group: join others on a fixed date. Private: your own guide and car on your date.

Big Almaty Lake, illustrated
Big Almaty Lake
About

Big Almaty Lake

Short walksPhotographyTea stop

The lake changes by season and by hour. We go early, before the tour buses, and stop at the observatory road for the view back to the city.

Itinerary

The day

  1. Hotel pick-up
  2. Drive up the Big Almaty Gorge
  3. Lake shore walk, about 2 km
  4. Tea and a packed lunch by the water
  5. Alma-Arasan gorge stop and short forest walk
  6. Return to Almaty

Times are a guide and can shift with season and road conditions. If weather or a road closure blocks a stop, your guide offers another one. Refunds do not apply to a stop skipped for safety.

Included

  • Guide
  • Park fees
  • Hot tea and packed lunch
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Tips
  • Hot springs entry (optional, $12)
Prices

Group or private

Prices are in US dollars. The deposit and balance rules are below.

Group

$69

per person, adults and youths 13 and over.
Children 5 to 12: $55.
Under 5: not on this trip.

Small group, up to 12 guests. Meeting point: Hotel pick-up in central Almaty.

Book a group seat

Private

One group of travellers, no one else. Total price for the whole party.

GuestsTotalEach, aboutVehicle
2$260$1304x4 or minivan
3$265$884x4 or minivan
4$270$684x4 or minivan
5$280$56Minivan
6 to 7$365$52Van
8 to 12$495$41Minibus

More than 12? Send us a message for a custom price.

Book private
Group dates

Pick a date

Thu 29 Oct2 seats leftSat 31 Oct9 seats leftSun 1 Nov2 seats leftTue 3 Nov11 seats leftThu 5 Nov9 seats leftSat 7 Nov7 seats leftSun 8 Nov9 seats leftTue 10 Nov10 seats leftThu 12 Nov12 seats leftSat 14 Nov3 seats leftSun 15 Nov2 seats leftTue 17 Nov4 seats left

Want your own date? Book private

Know before you go

Know this

  • It is 8 to 15 degrees colder at the lake than in the city.
  • Bring your passport. Checkpoints near the border can ask for it.

Not for everyone

  • Not recommended with heart conditions. The lake is at altitude.

Deposit and changes

  • Group: 30% deposit. Free change up to 24 hours before.
  • Private: $100 per booking. Free change up to 72 hours before.
  • We cancel a group 48 hours ahead if fewer than 4 guests book or if weather or roads block it. You choose a new date or a refund.
  • Balance goes to your guide on day one.