Best Lakes Near Almaty

2,511 m · Half day · from $72

The most photographed lake near Almaty - a vivid turquoise reservoir ringed by snow peaks at 2,511 m, barely an hour from the city. When the road is open you can drive most of the way and walk only the final stretch.

2,000 m · Full day · from $95

Kazakhstan's most surreal lake - a 400 m turquoise pool where a 1911 earthquake drowned a spruce forest, leaving bleached trunks rising from the water like the masts of a sunken fleet. Reached by a long drive, a short 4WD leg and an easy walk.

1,800-2,850 m · 2-3 days · from $68

Three alpine lakes stacked up a forested valley, usually paired with Kaindy and Charyn on a 2 to 3 day trip. The most scenically varied tour we run, with an overnight in Saty village.

1,760 m · Half day · from $82

A peaceful forest-ringed lake with a dramatic past - destroyed by a catastrophic 1963 mudflow and slowly reforming ever since. An easy half-day trip into Issyk Gorge east of the city.

3,370 m · Full day · from $65

Four glacier-fed lakes at 3,370 m, right at the edge of the alpine zone below Titov Peak. A demanding day hike up Gorelnik Gorge with nearly 1,500 m of climbing past waterfalls and moraine - for fit, experienced hikers.