Almaty · Kazakhstan
Almaty Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Almaty tours and things to do in Kazakhstan’s mountain-ringed former capital: hike to the turquoise Big Almaty Lake, marvel at the layered rock walls of Charyn Canyon, journey to the alpine Kolsai and sunken-forest Kaindy lakes, ride the cable car up Kok Tobe, ski or skate at Shymbulak and Medeu, and browse the bustling Green Bazaar. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
315 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Good for families in Almaty
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
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Explore Almaty by interest
Whatever brings you to Almaty — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Almaty
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Charyn Canyon
Valley of Castles.
60+ toursView tours
Kolsai Lakes
Alpine jewels.
50 toursView tours
Kaindy Lake
Sunken forest.
40 toursView tours
Big Almaty Lake
Turquoise lake.
40 toursView tours
Shymbulak
Ski & cable car.
30 toursView tours
Green Bazaar
City market.
30 toursView tours
Singing Dune
Altyn-Emel.
20 toursView tours
Ile-Alatau
Mountain park.
20 toursView tours
3 days
Almaty in 3 days
- 1Day 1: city & Medeu
- 2Day 2: Charyn Canyon
- 3Day 3: lakes
- 4Big Almaty Lake
Nature adventure
Almaty nature adventure
- 1Charyn Canyon
- 2Kolsai Lakes
- 3Kaindy Lake
- 4Yurt stay
3 hr awayCharyn Canyon
Valley of Castles.
from €45View trips
4 hr awayKolsai Lakes
Alpine jewels.
from €55View trips
1 hr awayBig Almaty Lake
Turquoise lake.
from €40View trips
40 min awayShymbulak
Ski & cable car.
from €35View trips
Overnight awayAltyn-Emel
Singing dunes.
from €90View trips
City awayGreen Bazaar
Central market.
from €25View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Almaty visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–May)
Green and blooming, with snow lingering on the peaks.
Summer (Jun–Sep)
Warm and ideal for canyons, lakes and hiking.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Golden colours and clear skies — beautiful.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cold and snowy — prime ski season at Shymbulak.
For the lakes
June to September is best for Kolsai and Kaindy.
Best overall
Summer and early autumn are ideal.
One day
The city and Medeu-Shymbulak.
Two days
Add Charyn Canyon.
Three days
Add the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes.
For scenery
The canyon and lakes.
For skiing
Shymbulak in winter.
With kids
Kok Tobe and Medeu.
On foot
The green city centre is pleasant to explore on foot.
Tours & transfers
Guided tours are easiest for the canyon and lakes.
Taxis
App taxis are cheap and handy around the city.
Metro & buses
A small metro and buses serve the city.
Where to stay
Stay in the city centre near Panfilov Park.
Tenge
Kazakhstan uses the tenge; carry some cash for trips.
Book canyon trips
Charyn Canyon and lake tours sell out — reserve ahead.
Layer up
Mountain weather is cold; bring warm, waterproof layers.
Wear good shoes
Sturdy shoes help for the canyon and lake hikes.
Sun & altitude
The mountain sun is strong — bring sunscreen and water.
Try the bazaar
Sample local food and dried fruit at the Green Bazaar.
Summer & autumn
Visit June to October for the lakes and canyons.
Charyn Canyon
Canyon day trips sell out — book ahead.
Lake tours
Kolsai and Kaindy tours fill up — reserve early.
Big Almaty Lake
Lake trips book out in summer — reserve ahead.
Ski trips
Shymbulak ski tours fill up in winter — book early.
Altyn-Emel
Overnight desert trips have limited spots — reserve ahead.
Peak seasons
Summer and ski season are busiest — book everything ahead.
Charyn Canyon
Around €40–70 for a Charyn Canyon day trip.
Lakes tour
About €50–90 for a Kolsai and Kaindy lakes day trip.
Big Almaty Lake
Roughly €35–60 for a Big Almaty Lake trip.
Medeu-Shymbulak
Around €30–60 for a mountain and cable-car tour.
City tour
About €25–50 for a city tour.
How to save
Join group tours and combine the canyon with the lakes.
When to visit
Almaty through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Apr–May)
Apr–May
- Best for
- Green & blooming.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Fresh.
Summer (Jun–Sep)
Jun–Sep
- Best for
- Lakes & canyons.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Golden colours.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Nov–Mar
- Best for
- Skiing.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold.
People also ask
Almaty travel FAQ
What are the best tours in Almaty?
The highest-rated experiences are a Charyn Canyon day trip, the Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, Big Almaty Lake, the Medeu-Shymbulak-Kok Tobe area, and a city tour.
What should I book in advance in Almaty?
Reserve Charyn Canyon and lake tours ahead, especially in the summer high season and ski season.
How many days do I need in Almaty?
One day covers the city and nearby mountains, two add Charyn Canyon, and three let you reach the alpine lakes.
Is Almaty worth visiting?
Yes — Almaty is a green, mountain-ringed city and the gateway to Kazakhstan’s spectacular canyons, alpine lakes and ski slopes.
When is the best time to visit Almaty?
Summer and early autumn are best for the canyons and lakes, while winter is prime for skiing at Shymbulak.
Can you visit Charyn Canyon from Almaty?
Yes — the Valley of Castles is about 3 hours away and a popular day trip.
Is Almaty good for families?
Yes — the Kok Tobe cable car, Medeu skating and mountain lakes make it a great family destination.
315 Almaty experiencesfrom €30 · free cancellation
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