Big Almaty Lake & Alatau Gorges Day Trip from Almaty

4.7 3 reviews8 hoursPrivate tourEasyStandard comfortby Treeple
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A one-day tour from Almaty: Alma-Arasan Gorge, Ayusai eco-park, and Big Almaty Lake. Included: transport, guide, and eco fees.

A mountain day in Almaty without long drives or expedition-level preparation. The program includes Alma-Arasan Gorge with a mineral thermal spring and crisp conifer air, the Ayusai eco-park, and Big Almaty Lake at 2511 meters, a turquoise basin about 15 km from the city as the crow flies. Transport, a professional guide, and all necessary fees are included, so all that remains is to choose a date. The pace is set by your group, and a private format is available on request. Whether it is your first visit or a return trip, the day gives you a different side of the mountains above the city. The tour runs year-round; in winter, snow can limit the road to Big Almaty Lake, and the guide will adjust the route to conditions.

Highlights

  • Big Almaty Lake — a turquoise reservoir at 2511 m, about 15 km from the city as the crow flies
  • Alma-Arasan Gorge with a mineral water thermal spring
  • Ayusai eco-park with wooden boardwalks and a waterfall
  • Alma-Arasan has a thermal spring — bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to bathe

Itinerary

Alma Arasan
Day 1

Alma-Arasan Gorge · Ayusai · Big Almaty Lake

The morning begins with a walk through Alma-Arasan Gorge: a mineral thermal spring, a mountain stream, and trails along cascades beneath a canopy of conifers. Later in the morning, stop at the Ayusai eco-park in the Little Almaty Gorge, where wooden boardwalks wind among alpine flowers and lead to a waterfall. After lunch, drive up to Big Almaty Lake (2511 m), a turquoise reservoir about 15 km from the city center as the crow flies. The water shifts from aquamarine to deep turquoise depending on the clouds; photo spots are along both shores and at the high viewpoint.

Want to change a day? The guide adapts the pace and stops to your group.Ask the guide →

What’s included

Included
  • Transport along the entire route
  • Professional guide services
  • All eco-fees and entrance tickets to national parks and protected natural areas
Paid separately
  • Meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners)
  • Entertainment and additional activities outside the main program
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
Good to know

Free cancellation 24 hours before the tour starts — full refund. After that — according to the operator's rules.

Reviews

Questions & answers

Have a question about this tour? Ask us — a local planner will answer in the chat.

Practical info

Good to know

Meeting place
You choose the meeting point: an address, hotel, or airport in Almaty, confirmed at booking
Suitable for
Suitable for everyone: families, senior guests, couples, groups of friends, solo travelers

What to bring

  • ID card or passport
  • Trekking shoes with good traction
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses, and a hat
  • Warm jacket or fleece — it is cool in the mountains even in summer
  • Light raincoat or waterproof shell in case of mountain rain
  • Water bottle (to refill in villages and hotels) and a light snack for the road

Safety notes

Please follow the guide's instructions, check the weather forecast before departure, and bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Available year-round
Not sure? Ask a local expertDates, a different hotel, a child seat, another day order — we’ll reply within 2 hours.
from $330/ person