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 personalize your experience, you can choose between two options:
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)
Extended sightseeing option including visits to the picturesque Alma-Arasan and Ayusai gorges, along with a visit to a Falconry Center featuring an impressive birds of prey show (available from April to October)
Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and travelers seeking an easy escape from the city.
Since March 2020, the road to the Big Almaty Lake has been closed to private vehicles for an indefinite period. At the moment, tourists can get to the Big Almaty Lake only on foot. But we are able to take our tourists directly to the Lake by car. Due to this we are forced to use a not entirely legal way to get to the lake by car. Sometimes it doesn't work. Therefore the tour may be cancelled.
Tour area on the map
ITINERARY
OPTION #1: Big Almaty Lake with Horseback Riding Tour
07:30 - 08:00 Pick-up (Exact pick-up time will be informed the day before the tour)
Trip to Big Almaty Lake with changing the car to SUV
Big Almaty Lake, walking, enjoying the views, visiting several photo spots
Departure from the Lake
Visit to the Ayusai Visitor Center for information, coffee and souvenirs
Arrival at the Equestrian Club
Horseback riding (optional and not included)
Lunch (optional and not included)
Way back to Almaty
14:30 - 15:00 Drop-off
OPTION #2: Big Almaty Lake & Alma-Arasan Gorge Tour with Birds of Prey Show
07:30 - 08:00 Pick-up (Exact pick-up time will be informed the day before the tour)
Сhanging the car to SUV
Big Almaty Lake, walking, enjoying the views, visiting several photo spots
Departure from the Lake
Arrival at the Ayusai gorge
Short walk to the Ayusai waterfall with stops for photo
Souvenir shopping at the Visitor Center and lunch in the cafe (not included)
Arrival at the Alma-Arasan gorge to the beginning of the walking trail
Walk (short hike) to the Maiden's Tears waterfall along the gorge with stops for photo
Bathing in the hot springs (optional)
Return back to the car
Arrival at the Falconry Center, walk around
Birds of Prey Show
17:30 - 18:00 Meeting/pickup point drop-off
⚠️ [Visits to any of the tour sites may be canceled and their order changed due to the change of seasons, weather conditions and other circumstances beyond our control]
PHOTOS OF OUR TOURISTS
REVIEWS
OPTIONS & PRICES
Big Almaty Lake with Horseback Riding Tour
(shared group basis)
⭕ Small uncrowded group of up to 15 tourists ⭕ Duration: 7 hours ⭕ Start time: 07:30 am ⭕ Tour language: English ⭕ Meeting/pickup points: see here ⭕ Available dates: see here
✅ Modern & comfortable minibus with AC
✅ English-speaking tour guide
✅ Round-trip transfer to Big Almaty Lake
✅ Bottled water
✅ National park admission
❌ Lunch (not included and provided at local cafe) ❌ Horseback riding (optional and paid on site from ~$12/person)
REGULAR PRICE per person
Adult/Youth/Senior (13-99) - $69 Children (3-12) - $59 Children under 3 y.o. are not allowed on the tour
% SPECIAL OFFER %
⭕ Instant DISCOUNT 5%
[Apr - Oct]
Big Almaty Lake & Alma-Arasan Gorge Tour with Birds of Prey Show
(shared group basis)
⭕ Small uncrowded group of up to 15 tourists ⭕ Duration: 10 hours ⭕ Start time: 07:30 am ⭕ Tour language: English ⭕ Meeting/pickup points: (see here) ⭕ Available dates: (see here)
✅ Modern & comfortable minibus with AC
✅ English-speaking tour guide
✅ Round-trip transfer to Big Almaty Lake
✅ Bottled water
✅ National park admission
✅ Shampoo and shower gel (upon request)
❌ Lunch is not included (provided at local cafe) ❌ Birds of prey show admission (~10 USD, paid on site)
Regular price per person
Adult/Youth/Senior (13-99) - $79 Children (3-12) - $69 Children under 3 y.o. are not allowed on the tour
% SPECIAL OFFER %
⭕ Instant DISCOUNT 5%
PRIVATE tour
✅ Hotel pick-up/drop-off
✅ Comfortable vehicle
✅ Direct transfer to the Lake by car
✅ English-speaking tour guide
✅ Bottled water
✅ National park entrance fee
❌ Lunch is not included
Number of people
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TOTAL PRICE
$270
$275
$280
$360
$365
$370
$375
EXTRA
Horseback riding through apple orchard in the mountain foothills (paid on site from ~$12/person)
and Falcon Show(from Wednesday to Sunday from March to October) +10 USD/adult (paid on site)
⚠️ [If you are more people, contact us and we will make an individual calculation for you]
IMPORTANT INFO
REQUIRED FITNESS LEVEL: Low
WE RECOMMEND TO TAKE WITH YOU: warm clothes (at an altitude of 2500m above sea level the temperature is 10-15 degrees lower than in the city), head cover, sunblock (in warm season), sport shoes. !!! Big Almaty Lake is situated close to the Kyrgyzstan border. Please make sure to carry your original passport (copies are not accepted), as border checks may take place. Travelers without a passport may be subject to a fine.
PRECAUTION
• Not recommended for pregnant women; • Not recommended for travelers with high/low blood pressure.
GROUP TOUR SCHEDULE 2023
🙌
Small groups of 5-15 tourists
👫
Perfect for couples and solo travelers
🙂
Enjoying the trip, having fun and meeting new people
💰
Budget savings and more travel
GROUP TOUR BOOKING
[Here you can book your place on a group tour by yourself specifying the number of people and selecting an available tour date]
PRIVATE TOUR BOOKING
[Here you can submit a request to book a private tour. We will try to respond to you within 24 hours]
BOOKING TERMS
PAYMENT TERMS
A 50-$100 deposit is required to confirm a private tour booking.
A 15-50% deposit is required to confirm a group tour booking.
The exact deposit amount depends on the selected tour/option and the number of travelers in the booking.
The remaining balance is paid at the start of the tour.
CANCELLATION POLICY
PRIVATE TOURS
Customers may change or cancel their booking up to 72 hours before the tour start time. After this time, no changes or cancellations are possible.
Change or cancellation of a Comfort Option booking may incur additional fees.
The deposit is non-refundable as it covers booking administration, reservation costs, and the time reserved exclusively for your tour.
GROUP TOURS
Customers may change or cancel their booking up to 24 hours before the tour start time and receive a deposit refund. After this time, no changes, cancellations, or refunds are possible.
Late arrival or no-show by the customer may result in cancellation of the booking without a refund.
Group tours require a minimum number of participants and suitable weather conditions. If these requirements are not met, the tour may be canceled no later than 48 hours before the start, and customers will be offered an alternative date/tour or a deposit refund.
FORCE MAJEURE
Any tour or booking may be canceled due to force majeure circumstances (extreme weather, road closures, natural disasters, government restrictions, flight cancellations, etc.). In such cases, customers will receive a deposit refund or the option to reschedule the tour.
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