Best Day Trips from Almaty 2026 – Lakes, Canyons & Mountains

Half day · ~1 h, 40 km · from $72

A turquoise glacial lake surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the most photographed natural landmark near Almaty. The lake sits at 2,511 metres and changes colour with the seasons: deep blue in winter, vivid turquoise in summer.

Full day · ~3 h, 200 km · from $62

Often called the Grand Canyon of Central Asia, Charyn Canyon stretches 80 km along the Charyn River. Its most famous section, the Valley of Castles, features towering red rock formations sculpted over millions of years of wind and water.

Full day · ~1.5 h + hike · from $72

Hike to a real glacier without any mountaineering experience. The trail starts at Talgar Pass and follows a mountain path to the Bogdanovich Glacier viewpoint, with ice caves and the October Cave visible on clear days.

2-3 days · ~4-5 h, 300 km · from $68

Three alpine lakes stacked in a mountain valley, plus the surreal Lake Kaindy with its sunken forest of dead spruce standing in turquoise water. A multi-day trip with an overnight in Saty village, and the most scenically diverse tour we offer.

Half day · ~1 h, 70 km · from $82

A peaceful mountain lake with a dramatic history. Issyk Lake was destroyed by a catastrophic mudflow in 1963 and has been slowly reforming ever since, sitting in a deep gorge surrounded by forest.

Full day · ~2.5 h, 100 km · from $80

A vast highland plateau above the tree line, with endless views of rolling grasslands, grazing horses and distant peaks. On clear nights it is one of the best stargazing spots in Central Asia.

Half day · ~30 min · from $60

Natural radon mineral springs in a mountain gorge 30 minutes from Almaty. The warm water flows from underground at a constant temperature year-round and is said to have healing properties. Our most affordable day trip.

1-3 days · ~3-4 h, 250 km · from $184

The Singing Dune, the colourful Aktau Mountains and ancient Saka burial mounds. Altyn-Emel is Kazakhstan's largest national park and feels like another planet, a dramatic contrast to Almaty's green mountains.

Half day · ~30 min, 15-25 km · from $62

The world's highest ice-skating rink (Medeo, 1,691 m) and the Shymbulak ski resort (2,260 m), both reachable by cable car. Skate on Olympic-quality ice surrounded by peaks, then ride up to Shymbulak for lunch with panoramic views.

Full day · ~1.5 h, 70 km · from $70

A full-size medieval city built as a film set for Nomad: The Warrior, now a tourist attraction on the banks of the Ili River, including the Tamgaly-Tas Buddhist petroglyphs carved into riverside boulders.