Tours/Almaty/Big Almaty Lake Tour
Viator · group up to 15 pax

Big Almaty Lake Tour

5.0(41)Almaty1 hour
VIATOR5.0(5)TRIPADVISOR5.0(36)

Description

Discover the natural beauty of the Almaty mountains on a relaxing day trip to Big Almaty Lake, one of the region’s most iconic alpine sights. Enjoy scenic mountain roads, fresh air, and free time to admire and photograph the lake’s stunning turquoise waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks. To enhance your experience, you can enjoy horseback riding (optional) in the mountain foothills, passing through peaceful trails and apple orchards — a unique way to connect with the local landscape (no riding experience required). Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking an easy escape from the city.

Tour Options

With horseback riding
  • Horseback riding: horseback riding in the mountain foothills, passing through peaceful trails and apple orchards Duration: 6 hours
Private tour
  • Private tour: only you travel without other people. Transfer: direct transfer to the Lake by car. A long hike is not required. Pick-up/drop-off: any location in Almaty. Pickup included

Itinerary

Admission included60 min

Walking, enjoying the scenery, photographing

20 min

A visit to the recently opened visitor center, where you can buy books about the Almaty mountains, branded items and other souvenirs, and also treat yourself to a cup of hot coffee.

Admission not included50 min

Horseback riding (optional) in the foothills of the mountains

Admission not included60 min

Lunch (not included and provided at a local cafe)

Highlights

Bottled water
National park entrance fee
Round-trip transfer to Big Almaty Lake
Modern & comfortable transport

What's included

Included
Bottled water
National park entrance fee
Round-trip transfer to Big Almaty Lake
Modern & comfortable transport
Not included
Lunch (not included and provided at local cafe)
Horseback riding (optional and paid on site)

Pickup Locations & Times

Pick-up is available for a private tour option only.

Traveller Ratings

5.0
41 reviews
5
40
4
1
3
0
2
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1
0

Important Information

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(41)

Y
Yousuf S
June 8, 2026
Good trip

Axultan is very good guide. He provided good information during the trip.

M
Maryna_A
May 31, 2026
Perfect tour! Big Almaty...

Perfect tour! Big Almaty Lake is an incredible natural wonder! Normally it may not be easy to see it as it requires a rather lengthy hike, however with this tour we were able to get close to the lake by car. It was important for us as we had an elderly person with us with limited mobility. Very grateful that we were able to fully enjoy the lake without much walking

H
harrytX9971EN
May 21, 2026
Great experience

Great experience seeing the lake as well as horse riding in the foot hills of Almaty

9
980lat
May 11, 2026
Breathtaking lake tour🏔️

The pickup and communication with the tour was smooth, easy and amazing, even when i asked them for advice outside of the tour. The tour is properly paced and very chill. The lake is really a must see especially when there is ice on the lake. So i think the best time to go is in late spring. The "hike"/walk at the lake was chill and simple (for slovenians). Our tour guide Vlad was amazing <3, he told us everything and more. He was the best guide ever, he even showed us an extra waterfall because our group was really fast and ready to hike. and because we booked another tour we got a great discount for the both tours. All in all it was a great tour and would recomend it 10/10<3

1 people found this helpful
V
Vanessa_L
May 11, 2026
We had an amazing day...

We had an amazing day with our fantastic tour guide, Serzhan. He picked us up directly from our apartment and kindly dropped us off at a restaurant he recommended afterward, which we really appreciated. Serzhan was incredibly friendly, patient, and knowledgeable, and he happily answered all of our questions about Kazakh culture throughout the day. This tour is an absolute must, especially for anyone who may not want to commit to the full hike but still wants to experience the stunning scenery and enjoy a memorable day out.

P
Paradise66662988493
May 9, 2026
Great tour by Kazakhstan Guided Tours and Zhuldyz!

We had an amazing time with KGT during our Big Almaty lake tour! The commute and the facilities were well planned! Our tour guide, Zhuldyz, was very informative and fun! She gave us so much history about the city and it's traditions! The trip to the lake was comfortable and the group size was very manageable! We loved our group, everyone were soo nicee! Though I'd like to mention that if the time allocated to spend at the lake is increased, it'd be perfect! Post the lake, we were taken to an equestrian club for lunch, where horse riding was an optional activity, and the place was veryy beautiful and peaceful thag you could hardly hear the bustling of the city!

V
Vacation68452283950
May 5, 2026
A pleasant short trip.

The travel experience was very good, the guide Chuls was professional, friendly and conscientious and the driver's driving skills were excellent. Although I can only make a connection in Almaty for most of the day, it was a rare tourist experience!

8
864kristinea
May 5, 2026
Big Almaty Lake

The Big Almaty Lake is lovely. Zhuldyz was an excellent guide!

I
Ivo S
April 28, 2026
Recommend!

Very nice tour by Zhenis! The communication between us and the tour guide was very smooth which made things a lot easier when agreeing on where to get picked up. Zhenis is a very enthusiastic guide, and also takes an interest in you! I would definitely book another tour with him if i had more time in Kazakhstan. Zhenis by the way is also a very talented with drones and can make amazing video's and pictures with it.

E
enolal430
April 28, 2026
Beautiful tour

Amazing tour with the best tour guide Zhenis! Very informative and helpful with any questions regarding the tour or otherwise. Good program with enough photo opportunities and diversity for everyone’s liking. Thank you Zhenis!!

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