Tickets & tours
Select a guided half-day tour or a private hiking trip from Almaty. Guided options handle the logistics, border checks, and park eco-fees.
Most bookedImportant: Weather is unpredictable from October. Clear lake views are not guaranteed. Alma-Arasan may close for safety reasons; in this case, we visit Ayusai Gorge...
Top ratedBig Almaty Lake sits at 2,500 meters above sea level — a turquoise alpine gem surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Tian-Shan mountains, just 30 minutes from...
Best valueEnjoy the incredibly beautiful scenery of the big Almaty lake without hiking. Our tour provide all transfers directly to the lake round trip. First, we will visit Big...
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...
Small groupAlmaty is lucky to be one of the few cities in the world to have such unique and diverse surroundings as mountain ranges, sky peaks, coniferous forests, rough rivers,...
First, we will visit Big Almaty Lake, which is about a 1.5-hour drive from Almaty City. On the way to the lake, you will observe the beautiful mountains, crowded pine...
Tour prices change based on the platform, season, and group size.
Enter your group and compare totals on both platforms. From-prices; children are priced as adults unless the listing gives a child rate.
Quick comparison of popular mountain excursions.
| Option | Duration | Viator from | GetYourGuide from | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| lake & thermal springs | 5 h | $65 | Compare | 4.8 (71) | easy access and relaxing springs |
| hike & falcon show | 5 h to 8 h | $70 | Compare | 4.8 (77) | active travelers and wildlife lovers |
| direct transfer | 6 h | $49 | Compare | 4.3 (101) | budget travelers avoiding hikes |
| scenic horseback ride | 6 h to 7 h | $69 | Compare | 4.8 (51) | equestrian enthusiasts |
| lake & ayu gorge | 4 h to 6 h | $169 | Compare | 5.0 (39) | exclusive half-day mountain escape |
| private hiking tour | 8 h 30 min | $70 | Compare | 5.0 (4) | personalized active hiking experience |
Most guided tours include the 865 to 1,000 KZT environmental entrance fee. Always check the specific inclusions of your chosen tour.
It depends on the tour. Options like the direct transfer avoid hiking entirely. Others include a demanding 10 km uphill hike.
The lake sits at 2,511 meters. Temperatures drop quickly, and weather can obscure lake views, especially from October onward.
From Viator
71 reviews of the lake & thermal springs on Viator
our guide is young and energetic. it was a interesting trip. the lake is very beautiful. the spring was not that great, but it is very natural.
Our trip is well organized. The view looked like AI generated and I think it can't be describe with just one word. Viktor, our tour guide, is very friendly. He is easy to talk to and speaks English very well. If I would book again, I hope there's an option with Almaty Lake only and with longer stay there. Overall, everything is a good experience.
The tour was very fun, although the hiking trail was dificult. But the tour guide name leane from the kazakhstan very nice tour and travel make the hiking looks very easy for us. The scenery was awesome.
