Big Almaty Lake: The 15 Best Tours and Transfers

1.Big Almaty Lake Roundtrip Transfer and Tour

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

Ride from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake for mountain views, local stories, photo stops, and an easy no-hike visit in four hours.

“The trip was absolutely wonderful! Everything was perfectly on time, and the view of the lake was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. I especially recommend it to people who may not be able to go hiking. On top of that, my tour guide was incredibly kind and helpful. We also got to see a charming waterfall and an apple yard. Everything turned out even better than I expected - just perfect! A special thank you to Dias for being such an amazing guide 😊”

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2.Big Almaty Lake Tour with Optional Hike

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

Big Almaty Lake tour review with hiking or car access, mountain views, guide tips, pricing, safety, and practical advice for Almaty visitors.

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

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

Review of Big Almaty Lake by car or hike: mountain views, guide Adam, practical tips, costs, fitness needs, and seasonal limits.

“It’s a moderate hike, takes about 6 hours. It’s exhausting but pretty. Would recommend the hike if you’re an active person or else take the car. Adam was very patient and helpful. He also told us a lot about the city and answered all our questions and also got us tea.”

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4.Big Almaty Lake tour private or group by car or hiking

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 46 reviews · from $69

Review of the Big Almaty Lake tour from Almaty, with hiking and car options, guide tips, pricing, timing, scenery, and practical advice.

“This was a great way to start the day in Almaty, Dimitri are guide, was very knowledgeable about any questions we had, he told stories about history, the science, and even personal tales of Almaty lake. And of course it is super beautiful! Bring good hiking shoes.”

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

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

Compare the car ride and mountain hike to Big Almaty Lake, with honest advice on price, weather, fitness, guides, timing, and what to pack.

“I had a fantastic private hiking tour to Big Almaty Lake with Yerkin as my guide. He was perfectly on time, very knowledgeable, and provided great insights into Kazakhstan's history, nature, and culture. The hike itself was amazing — Read more”

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

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

Review of Almaty’s private Big Almaty Lake and Alma-Arasan Gorge tour, with mountain views, hot springs, waterfalls, pricing, and practical tips.

“I was picked up by Dastan, My guide right on time at my hotel. The car that he brought was clean and very comfortable . We first went to Almaty Lake And the views were absolutely spectacular. When we were there, the ice was almost fully gRead more”

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7.Big Almaty Lake tour by hiking

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

Review of the Big Almaty Lake hiking tour: mountain views, 10 km trail, guide support, transport, price, difficulty, and booking tips.

“Zhandos is a young and energetic guide. He is able to communicate with us with English, which is helpful.”

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8.Big Almaty Lake with Horseback Riding Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $69

Review of Almaty’s Big Almaty Lake horseback tour, with mountain views, transport, costs, timing, horse riding, and practical booking tips.

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9.Hiking to the magical Big Almaty Lake

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

Hike through Tian Shan forests to Big Almaty Lake, with hotel pickup, a mountain guide, river views, and flexible trail choices.

“I booked this hike on a Friday but ended up getting food poisoning, and the organizers were kind enough to help me reschedule to Saturday. The driver and guide met me at my hotel and the total hike took about 4 hours. A little disappointed with the lake receding due to the recent damn that was built, but the hike was beautiful. Mountain views for days. There are 3 options for the hike, using the normal paved road or going up and down the pipeline which is intense if you do not hike. We had a small picnic with provided tea and sandwhiches as well which was nice. If you…”

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10.Almaty lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $144

Review of Almaty Lake tour from Almaty, with mountain views, waterfalls, guide tips, pricing, timing, and practical advice for a warm visit.

“The guide Yelnar from Kazia tour was very punctual and arrived at our hotel in Almaty at 6am sharp. We took a ride of about 40min to the base of a hill where we took a short 5-10min walk up to meet a special eco park vehicle. We passed Read more”

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $218

Review of Almaty’s private mountain day tour, with Medeu, Shymbulak cable cars, Big Almaty Lake, and a traditional falcon show.

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

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12.Private Big Almaty Lake Hiking Tour with alternatgive Pipeline

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $70

Review of a private Big Almaty Lake hiking tour with mountain scenery, gorge walks, hotel pickup, and guide Erasyl.

“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”

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

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

Review of Almaty’s $115 e-bike tour to Big Almaty Lake or Kok-Zhailau, with route advice, gear details, value, and practical tips.

“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”

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14.Big Almaty lake tour off road bike

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

Ride a powerful electric off-road bike from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake with an instructor, safety gear, mountain views, and hotel pickup.

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15.Big Almaty Lake and City Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $200

Review of Almaty’s private city and Big Almaty Lake tour, with mountain views, SUV transport, guide service, price, timing, and booking advice.

“This company is the best and trusted agency so far.... With the help of this company I was able to obtain my visa.”

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