Private Tour
Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly - UNESCO World Heritage
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
We will start our trip in the morning from your hotel. Drive will take approximately 2.5 hours. Museum-reserve is located on the vast territory with hills, canyons and rocks. There are several groups of petroglyphs of different eras. We will observe all of the available ones.
You will have a chance to learn about the life of people and see unique petroglyphs of different time periods from bronze age to late medieval documented on these rocks.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Tamgaly Gorge
Tanbaly museum-reserve is a unique worldwide famous archaeological complex in Kazakhstan. In 2004 it has entered the UNESCO World Heritage List. Petroglyphs cover several time intervals, starting from the Bronze Age to the XIII – XIV centuries of our era.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Professional guide
1.5L per person
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
You can take some snacks or lunch box with you or we can stop at local roadside cafe
Snacks
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly - UNESCO World Heritage
Pickup included
Reviews
21 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Highly Recommended Tour
MH L,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Mr Nursultan was my tour guide and driver, and he is exceptionally knowledgeable and professional, who, besides the tour site, provided me with insights about Kazakstan in general. We visited the petroglychs of Tanbaly and its visitor centre. It is worth the time and effort to go that far just to see these valuable yet mysterious creations. A highly recommended tour in my opinion
Interesting Petroglyphs visit
Barbara T,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Interesting visit to the Petroglyphs. About a 3 hour drive each way, and once there, a short museum visit and a hike around the petroglyph sites. Some parts required climbing, others could be seen from the paths. Our guide was knowledgeable and kind, stopping as much as we needed for snacks/lunch/bathroom breaks.
A unique place – I had a wonderful experience
javiercQ6898SZ,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I visited this place with Mr. Nursultan on 16 February 2026, and I had a great experience. First, it is not usual to have a World Heritage Site just for you. And this was the case that day, we were just Mr. Nursultan and I enjoying the petroglyphs. I booked the tour online 6 days before, on Feb. 9. Mr. Nursultan was proactive about contacting me and confirm the pick-up place (my hotel) and time. The day before at around noon, he sent me a message saying that the roads to Tanbaly were partially closed that day and the day before because of the thick fog and snow near the Tanbaly. He told me that the forecast for the excursion day (the following day) was better and he didn´t expect problems, but he wanted to let me know. He told me that there were a couple of options: -If the roads were open, go with the plan. -If the road were close, re schedule it. -If I couldn´t re schedule and the roads were closed, I would receive a full refund. I appreciated him telling me clearly the situation. He said he would continue monitoring the situation. In the afternoon/evening he told me that we were OK to go the following day. The trip to Tanbaly was great, as I was not driving. I say this because it is true that there was a lot of snow, from previous days. You could see that in the photos. It is beautiful as a passenger, as a driver you need to be more careful. And Mr. Nursultan is a patient and careful driver. We were lucky to see a bunch of camels crossing the road, and two flocks of sheep. Mr. Nulsultan was waiting for me at the meeting time, and I enjoyed a lot the day. He is an expert on the petroglyphs and I loved his explanations. Not only that, you could ask him any questions about Kazakhstan, and he will respond them. On our way to Tanbaly we stopped on a market, and bought some local food. I asked about some bottles of milks that there were there, and he told me that they are called kumis, and he invited me to try, with some grains. I did, it was great. About the place, it is very interesting and the explanations of Mr. Nursultan enhance it. I totally recommend this tour.
Day trip to see petroglyphs in Tanbaly
Stephen Y,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an amazing experience to see the petroglyphs in my own eyes in such an incredible setting, not to mention an important UNESCO site that deserves to carry that status. My guide Nursultan provided me with great touring guides and his knowledge on the site’s history demonstrated at a very high level.
Highly recommended trip to the Petroglyphs
999catrionas,Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best trip, I can’t recommend this tour to the Tanbaly petroglyphs with Nursultan highly enough. His excellent knowledge and very good English made it so much better. The site itself is incredible, thousands of petroglyphs that have been in place since the Bronze age, and to visit such a special place without seeing a single other person was pretty special.
Fantastic tour to Tanbaly
Stay639384,Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a truly wonderful day at Tanbaly. The petroglyphs are incredibly impressive, and our guide, Nursultan, was outstanding — deeply knowledgeable, courteous, and patient. He took excellent care of us, explaining everything with great insight and warmth.
Well organized trip to a fascinating archeological site!
martinkD6383FU,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Communication beforehand was easy, pick up worked neatly. It’s a good 2 1/2 drive from Almaty, with interesting views into the steppe. Our guide Mina translated all relevant information, gave us insights into Kazhak life. The visit of the petroglyphs was led by a local guide, who transmitted his fascination for the site very well. If you’re looking for a unique cultural site off the beaten paths, this is your trip! Recommended to take sun glasses with you.
Perfect Petroglyphs!
Valerie J,Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is an absolute must do! An absolute gem of a tour! Our awesome guide (Nursaltan is awesome) was very informative and gave us a lot of information on the petroglyphs. There was so much fabulous information and I want to tell everyone about it, but I won't because you should do the tour instead, but yeah I definitely went an got a t-shirt, it's that awesome. The scenery at the site is also absolutely gorgeous. The paths are really well made and in good condition. The site itself is in excellent condition and there are so many interesting petroglyphs to spot and learn about. I absolutely recommend this tour!
Time travel to the Bronze and Scythians ages
Дарья Е,Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing and unique experience! Thousands years of history in the middle of Kazakh Steppe. Nursultan is a very professional guide with deep knowledge about this place. Highly recommend!
Giant Concentration of Amazing Petroglyphs
JordanMcAlister99,Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nursultan did a great job thoughtfully and carefully showing us the Tanbaly petroglyphs. This was a terrific day-trip from Almaty that not only shows off an impressive, ancient UNESCO World Heritage site, but provides a taste of the Eurasian Steppes. Nursultan is an expert on Kazakh history and culture, and is the very best at what he does. рахмет!
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