Big Almaty Lake Hike and Falcon Show Experience

4.97

5.0(60 reviews)

English

Mobile ticket

Show all 5 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Big Almaty Lake sits at 2,500 meters above sea level — a turquoise alpine gem surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Tian-Shan mountains, just 30 minutes from Almaty.

Choose your adventure:

Group Hike — Trek 10 km one way through alpine meadows and pine forests to reach the lake. Hiking sticks provided. Best for active travelers who love a real challenge.

Hike + Falcon Show — Same epic 10 km hike, plus a traditional Kazakh falconry show on the way back. A perfect mix of nature and culture.

Private Hike — The full 10 km trail with your personal guide, at your own pace. No strangers, total focus on your group.

Car Tour — Drive directly to the lake and enjoy breathtaking views without the hike. Perfect for families or those with limited time.

English-speaking guide included in all hiking options. Hotel pickup available. All national park entrance fees included.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

What To Expect

Big Almaty Lake

Duration: 6-7 hours Difficulty: Moderate Distance: ~10 km round trip Elevation gain: Around 600–800 meters

1 hour • Admission Included

Options

Big Almaty Lake tour by hiking

Pickup included

Private hiking to the Lake

Hiking to Big Almaty Lake: Full 10 km one way trail with your personal guide at your own pace. No strangers — just your group and the mountains. Pickup included

Big Almaty Lake tour by car

Big Almaty Lake tour by car: Drive to Big Almaty Lake at 2,500m. Breathtaking views, no hiking required. Pickup included

Hiking and Falcon Show

Falcon Show: 10 km one way hike to Big Almaty Lake plus a traditional Kazakh falconry show. Nature and culture in one epic day Pickup included

What‘s Included

National parks entrance fees

English speaking guide

Hotel Pick-up and drop

Air-conditioned vehicle

Lunch

Snacks

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.97

60 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Big Almaty lake tour W/John
S2969PEmatthewd,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We went to The Big Almaty Lake with John, and had an absolutely incredible day. He was knowledgeable, funny and a brilliant guide. He took time to get to know all the guests and make sure everyone was okay. He told us facts about more than just the lake but the entire city of Almaty and Kazakhstan. We could not have asked for a better guide.
Great opportunity to connect with nature
X3557WGguilhermeg,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Sensational walk! Bauka was a great guide! He was also a great photographer! Hahaha Super worth it! In addition, we were lucky to visualize wild horses, marmots and other wild animals in the region, such as rats! Although it requires some preparation for the climb (for those who are not used to it), I recommend the experience.
Amazing tour guide. Modern van with a good driver. 5 stars
Rich J,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Almaty lake is a very cool spectacle to behold. It takes about 2.5 hours each way to hike. Tour guide is very nice and speaks good English (~Жандос). Bottles of water are included. They pick up and drop off from your hotel, which is a bonus. Overall among the best tours I’ve done in the region. Highly recommend
A Beautiful Lake Not Be Missed!
Dhananjay S,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Firstly, this a 12 km hike which I would rate to be moderate-difficult due to the steep and rocky climb. If you enjoy that, this a fantastic experience! Our guide, John was a nice guy and we enjoyed it thoroughly. There was a hiccup on our tour because our group got separated due to differing fitness levels and it took considerable time to regroup towards the end. But overall, a must do in Almaty!
Amazing Experience in Kazakhstan
thomassV267EI,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had the best time I could ever think of during this tour. All information was shared previously, the admission fee was justified and we even traditional Kazakh food for lunch. The pickup time was right on time, even though it was as saturday, it was not very crowded. During the whole trip, the tour guide Ayau was so lovely to chat with! She not only helped translating and guiding through the tour, but also answered all doubts, shared interesting history facts and was super curious about my culture and country. It felt like talking to a friend at many times, which made the trip way better. The locations were all beautiful, I had time to take pictures and managed to be friends with my touring peers. After the tour, I was lucky too meet as well other guides from Kazakhstan Very Nice and they are just lovely and nice to talk to, they really do care about showing the best of Kazakhstan and making sure we have a good time. I would totally recommend this tour and hope to do a longer one when I visit Kazakhstan again in the future!
Big Almaty Lake by car private trip
hannahhJ4395AZ,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great trip to Big Almaty Lake by car. Our driver was very knowledgeable and fluent in English, as was the taxi driver who drove us up to the lake itself. Highly recommend!
A highly recommended guide
Edyta K,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
A very nice guide. He talked a lot about the nature and culture of Kazakhstan. I recommend it!!!!!!!
Great hike
scroobs8,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Loved the hike - Nurzhan made it feel like we were hiking with a friend rather than a guide we just met. He was engaging, fun, funny, personable and gave us a sense of life in Almaty. Top guy, top tour…thank you for the wonderful day, Nurzhan! Highly recommend.
Amazing Big Almaty
johnreye486,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very amazing trip. The view is nice, the trail is not that difficult. Also, Dos is very cool tour guide. I learned a lot during the trip like what stan stands for, the history of Big Almaty, its utilities, and kazakh culture. Thanks Kazakhstan Very Nice agency!
Scenic and fun hike
Jarrhey D,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We were picked up exactly right on time. This is the second time I booked with KZ Very Nice and the guides we got were kind and warm. Fortunate to had Dos as our guide, got to learn a lot from Kazakh culture while being in awe with the nature. He made sure we were having a good time also which was highly appreciated!

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Related Experiences

Operated by Kazakhstan Very Nice

Big Almaty Lake Hike and Falcon Show Experience

4.97

5.0(60 reviews)

English

Mobile ticket

Show all 5 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

Big Almaty Lake sits at 2,500 meters above sea level — a turquoise alpine gem surrounded by snow-capped peaks of the Tian-Shan mountains, just 30 minutes from Almaty.

Choose your adventure:

Group Hike — Trek 10 km one way through alpine meadows and pine forests to reach the lake. Hiking sticks provided. Best for active travelers who love a real challenge.

Hike + Falcon Show — Same epic 10 km hike, plus a traditional Kazakh falconry show on the way back. A perfect mix of nature and culture.

Private Hike — The full 10 km trail with your personal guide, at your own pace. No strangers, total focus on your group.

Car Tour — Drive directly to the lake and enjoy breathtaking views without the hike. Perfect for families or those with limited time.

English-speaking guide included in all hiking options. Hotel pickup available. All national park entrance fees included.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness

What To Expect

Big Almaty Lake

Duration: 6-7 hours Difficulty: Moderate Distance: ~10 km round trip Elevation gain: Around 600–800 meters

1 hour • Admission Included

Options

Big Almaty Lake tour by hiking

Pickup included

Private hiking to the Lake

Hiking to Big Almaty Lake: Full 10 km one way trail with your personal guide at your own pace. No strangers — just your group and the mountains. Pickup included

Big Almaty Lake tour by car

Big Almaty Lake tour by car: Drive to Big Almaty Lake at 2,500m. Breathtaking views, no hiking required. Pickup included

Hiking and Falcon Show

Falcon Show: 10 km one way hike to Big Almaty Lake plus a traditional Kazakh falconry show. Nature and culture in one epic day Pickup included

What‘s Included

National parks entrance fees

English speaking guide

Hotel Pick-up and drop

Air-conditioned vehicle

Lunch

Snacks

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.97

60 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Big Almaty lake tour W/John
S2969PEmatthewd,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We went to The Big Almaty Lake with John, and had an absolutely incredible day. He was knowledgeable, funny and a brilliant guide. He took time to get to know all the guests and make sure everyone was okay. He told us facts about more than just the lake but the entire city of Almaty and Kazakhstan. We could not have asked for a better guide.
Great opportunity to connect with nature
X3557WGguilhermeg,Jun 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Sensational walk! Bauka was a great guide! He was also a great photographer! Hahaha Super worth it! In addition, we were lucky to visualize wild horses, marmots and other wild animals in the region, such as rats! Although it requires some preparation for the climb (for those who are not used to it), I recommend the experience.
Amazing tour guide. Modern van with a good driver. 5 stars
Rich J,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Almaty lake is a very cool spectacle to behold. It takes about 2.5 hours each way to hike. Tour guide is very nice and speaks good English (~Жандос). Bottles of water are included. They pick up and drop off from your hotel, which is a bonus. Overall among the best tours I’ve done in the region. Highly recommend
A Beautiful Lake Not Be Missed!
Dhananjay S,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00
Firstly, this a 12 km hike which I would rate to be moderate-difficult due to the steep and rocky climb. If you enjoy that, this a fantastic experience! Our guide, John was a nice guy and we enjoyed it thoroughly. There was a hiccup on our tour because our group got separated due to differing fitness levels and it took considerable time to regroup towards the end. But overall, a must do in Almaty!
Amazing Experience in Kazakhstan
thomassV267EI,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I had the best time I could ever think of during this tour. All information was shared previously, the admission fee was justified and we even traditional Kazakh food for lunch. The pickup time was right on time, even though it was as saturday, it was not very crowded. During the whole trip, the tour guide Ayau was so lovely to chat with! She not only helped translating and guiding through the tour, but also answered all doubts, shared interesting history facts and was super curious about my culture and country. It felt like talking to a friend at many times, which made the trip way better. The locations were all beautiful, I had time to take pictures and managed to be friends with my touring peers. After the tour, I was lucky too meet as well other guides from Kazakhstan Very Nice and they are just lovely and nice to talk to, they really do care about showing the best of Kazakhstan and making sure we have a good time. I would totally recommend this tour and hope to do a longer one when I visit Kazakhstan again in the future!
Big Almaty Lake by car private trip
hannahhJ4395AZ,Jun 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a great trip to Big Almaty Lake by car. Our driver was very knowledgeable and fluent in English, as was the taxi driver who drove us up to the lake itself. Highly recommend!
A highly recommended guide
Edyta K,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
A very nice guide. He talked a lot about the nature and culture of Kazakhstan. I recommend it!!!!!!!
Great hike
scroobs8,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Loved the hike - Nurzhan made it feel like we were hiking with a friend rather than a guide we just met. He was engaging, fun, funny, personable and gave us a sense of life in Almaty. Top guy, top tour…thank you for the wonderful day, Nurzhan! Highly recommend.
Amazing Big Almaty
johnreye486,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Very amazing trip. The view is nice, the trail is not that difficult. Also, Dos is very cool tour guide. I learned a lot during the trip like what stan stands for, the history of Big Almaty, its utilities, and kazakh culture. Thanks Kazakhstan Very Nice agency!
Scenic and fun hike
Jarrhey D,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We were picked up exactly right on time. This is the second time I booked with KZ Very Nice and the guides we got were kind and warm. Fortunate to had Dos as our guide, got to learn a lot from Kazakh culture while being in awe with the nature. He made sure we were having a good time also which was highly appreciated!