This day tour pairs the mountains with the city. In the morning your guide drives the serpentine road to Big Almaty Lake, a turquoise reservoir at about 2,511 m, 28 km from the centre. In the afternoon you walk through the sights that explain Almaty: the Green Bazaar, Zenkov Cathedral, Panfilov Park and Kok-Tobe.
Border-zone permits for the lake area are handled by us. It is the easiest way to see both the alpine and the urban side of Almaty in a single private day.
Highlights
Big Almaty LakeAyusai visitor centreSerpentine roadAlma-ArasanGreen BazaarZenkov CathedralPanfilov ParkKok-Tobe
Duration1 day
Activity levelEasy
SeasonAll year round
Detailed tour program
1 day≈ 10 hours
Turquoise lake in the morning, Almaty highlights in the afternoon
Morning · Up to the lake
We collect you from your hotel and head south into the Kok-Zhailau mountains. After the Ayusai visitor centre the road climbs in tight hairpins, with a pause at Alma-Arasan gorge for fresh mountain air.
Late morning · Big Almaty Lake
Walk along the shore and the viewpoint above the water. The reservoir sits at roughly 2,500 metres, and its colour swings from jade to deep blue with the weather. Your guide knows where the best photo angles are before the crowds arrive.
Lunch
Kazakh lunch in a local restaurant: beshbarmak, lagman or grilled lamb, with a vegetarian option on request.
Afternoon · City sights
Stroll through the Green Bazaar for dried fruit and spices, then the Zenkov Cathedral inside Panfilov Park. The cathedral is a colourful wooden landmark said to be built without nails.
Evening · Kok-Tobe
Ride the cable car up Kok-Tobe for the sunset view over the whole city. Your guide drops you at your hotel or anywhere in Almaty.
Start and finish. Hotel pick-up in the city or at the airport.
2
Alma-Arasan gorge
Short stop on the mountain road, with pine forest and a hot-spring valley.
3
Big Almaty Lake
Turquoise reservoir at about 2,500 m, ringed by glaciated peaks. Colour changes with the light and season.
4
Green Bazaar
Covered market for dried fruit, horse-meat sausage, honey and souvenirs.
5
Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral
War memorial park around a tall wooden Orthodox cathedral built without nails.
6
Kok-Tobe
City hill with a cable car, café terraces and the evening view over Almaty.
What to bring
Comfortable walking shoesLayers: mountain weather changes fastSun protection and a capPassport or IDCamera and a power bankA little cash for small purchases
Why Silk Travel
01
Exceptional service
A personal approach to every guest and safety throughout the journey.
02
Dependable SUVs
Air-conditioned 4x4s that reach remote spots, serviced after every tour.
03
Individual tours
No big groups. Change the route, take breaks, extend the trip.
04
Certified guides
Trained at the Kazakh Academy of Sports and Tourism.
Had an excellent three day small group tour to Altyn Emel, Kaindy/Kolsai and Charyn Canyon with Tau. Tau was a terrific guide and I highly recommend him. He was friendly and a lot of fun. He has lots of knowledge of the area and was very generous with his time to allow us all the opportunity to enjoy the area. Also takes great photos!
The places we visited on the tour are beautiful and very worth the effort to travel there. Kazakhstan surpassed all expectations and loved my time there.
d
dyCanada2Hong Kong, China · 13 contributions · Jun 2019 • Friends
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Fantastic guide, amazing trip!
Travelled with my mom in a group tour last June. We had Tau as our guide and it was a magical trip! Great driver and conversationalist, and he took us to some beautiful landscapes and also on some unreal hikes and climbs. Also very well prepared - borrowed many blankets when the temperatures got a little chilly, and had rain ponchos on hand when the weather turned rainy.
After we returned to Almaty, Tau provided great recommendations and showed some pretty neat bars / spots around town.
Hands-down, one of the highlights for summer 2019. Highly recommended. Tau will ensure that you have a great time in Kazakhstan!
E
Excursion29147138082Oct 2025
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6 days private tour in Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan
“Our guide, Ray, was knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible.”
l
lenb277Oct 2025
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A great way to explore Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
“My husband and I tailored the 6 day tour and spent 5 amazing days outdoors.”
r
rosr972025
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Amazing 6-Day Trip
“We had the most wonderful experience in this 6 day tour.”
A
Anisa JJun 2025
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Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan private tour
“We had an amazing time on our private tour of 6 days.”
n
nirhkangMay 2025
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Wowed in every destinations
“Made plenty of unforgettable memories. We were well taken care of.”
4
49faridahj2025
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A thrilling 6 day tour
“He tailored and adjusted the tour schedule according to our preference.”
Big Almaty Lake tour from Almaty: private 1-day trip with city sights: what to expect
Big Almaty Lake tour from Almaty: private 1-day trip with city sights is a private 1 day tour from Almaty by comfortable 4x4 SUV with an English-speaking guide-driver. Along the way you see Big Almaty Lake, Ayusai visitor centre, Serpentine road, Alma-Arasan, Green Bazaar, Zenkov Cathedral, with time for photos, short walks and local food. It is a typical Big Almaty Lake tour for travellers who want Almaty city tour without a noisy coach group.
Because the tour is private, the schedule is flexible: start earlier for soft morning light, stay longer at the viewpoints you like, or skip stops that do not interest you. Many guests combine this trip with other Kazakhstan tours from Almaty, such as Kolsai Lake, Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake.
Why book Big Almaty Lake tour from Almaty: private 1-day trip with city sights with Silk Travel
Silk Travel is a local Almaty travel agency working since 2019. We run private tours in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan with certified guides, inspected vehicles and a clear price for the whole group, so there are no surprises on the day. A manager confirms your request quickly in WhatsApp, Telegram or by email.
Our guides speak English and know the region: where the road is closed after rain, when the lakes are quiet, which cafés are worth a stop. That local knowledge is what turns a standard excursion from Almaty into a good private trip.
Who this private tour is for
This tour suits couples, families with children, solo travellers who prefer a private guide, photographers, small groups of friends and business travellers with a free day or a stopover in Almaty. If you are comparing group tours and private tours in Kazakhstan, a private SUV format gives you more comfort, privacy and control over time.
Best time to go and what to prepare
Most Almaty region and Central Asia routes are best from late spring to early autumn, while mountain roads and high lakes depend on weather, so we always check conditions before departure. Wear comfortable walking shoes, take layers for changing mountain weather, sun protection, your passport or ID and a power bank. Tell us your dates and the number of travellers and we will suggest the best day for big almaty lake tour from almaty: private 1-day trip with city sights.
How to book
Choose the tour, send a request with your dates, group size and hotel in Almaty, and receive a confirmation with the final price. Prepayment details, pick-up time and the programme are sent in the same message. You can also ask for a custom route, an extra day or a Kyrgyzstan extension.
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Questions about this tour
When is Big Almaty Lake at its best?
Summer shows the strongest turquoise colour, while winter turns the shore into a quiet snow landscape. The road and weather decide the exact timing, so ask us before you pick a date.
Do I need a permit?
The lake lies in a border zone and requires a permit. We arrange it for guests on this tour.
How do I book?
Send a request or message us on WhatsApp. We confirm within an hour of the form being filled in.
Are the tours private?
Yes. Every tour is private, with no large groups, and the itinerary can be adjusted.
What vehicles do you use?
Air-conditioned SUVs, inspected after every tour.
What if prices differ by group size?
Prices are quoted per group; send your dates and number of people for an exact offer.
Free drone video of your trip
Book this tour and get aerial footage of your journey.
