Curated
From 235 $

Tour to the Tamgaly petroglyphs and the Ili River · 1 day from Almaty

4.8(11 Reviews)Private tour

8h · From 235 $

  • Free cancellation within 24 hours
  • Pay after confirmation

$235From / per person

Itinerary

What's Included

How to get there

FAQ

A one-day tour from Almaty: the Tamgaly petroglyphs and the Ili River. Included: transport and guide, environmental fees.

Almaty city center in a convenient one-day format, from Panfilov Park to Kok-Tobe. The program includes Tamgaly-Tas, Tibetan Buddhist petroglyphs on the banks of the Ili, and the Ili River, with its slow mirror-like water and pink sunsets. Transport, a professional guide, and all required fees are included, all that remains is to choose a date. The best time is from May to October, when the roads are open and the landscapes are at their best. Small groups and a private format are available on request. The route is adjusted to the pace of the group. The program is equally good for a first visit and for a return trip.

Tour Highlights

RegionAlmaty / Kapshagai and the Ili River / Tamgaly - UNESCO Petroglyphs
ComfortStandard
Duration8 hours
ComplexityEasy

The meeting place

You choose the meeting place: an address, hotel, or airport in Almaty, confirmed at booking

Highlights

  • Tamgaly-Tas — 14th–18th century Tibetan Buddhist petroglyphs on the Ili River
  • The Ili River with sandy banks and a slow current toward Balkhash
  • The full day is spent on the route; the evening is free
  • Transfers and all overland travel are included in the price
  • An experienced guide accompanies you throughout the tour
  • Time for photos and lunch is included in the program — no rush
  • No group departures: the program runs individually for you

Worth taking

  • ✔ID card or passport
  • ✔Comfortable shoes for walking and light trekking
  • ✔Sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses, and a hat
  • ✔A warm jacket or fleece — it is cool in the mountains even in summer
  • ✔A light raincoat or membrane jacket in case of mountain rain
  • ✔A water bottle (to refill in villages and hotels) and a light snack for the road
  • ✔Cash (cards are not accepted everywhere, especially in villages and national parks)
  • ✔Power bank and a camera or phone for photos
  • ✔Clothing for the season: in summer — light and breathable, in autumn and spring — layers, in winter — a down jacket and warm boots

Why this tour

◉

Easy for any level

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WhatsApp support 24/7

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Small groups

Complexity

Easy level

Private tour

Suitable for

  • ✔Suitable for everyone: families, seniors, couples, groups of friends, solo travelers

Itinerary

Tamgaly petroglyphs and a walk along the Ili River

A walk along the Ili River, which flows into Lake Balkhash. Slow mirror-like water, sandy banks, and a sunset that washes everything in pink. In the first half of the day, visit Tamgaly-Tas, Tibetan Buddhist petroglyphs of the XIV-XVIII centuries on the banks of the Ili River. A rare meeting of cultures carved in stone.

Good to know

Free cancellation up to 72 hours before the tour starts — full refund. After that — according to the operator’s rules.

What's Included

  • Transport along the entire route
  • Professional guide services
  • All environmental 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

Safety notes

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

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235 $

Private tour

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