Main attractions of Almaty:

Perhaps the most striking sights of the city tour (city tour) of Almaty can be called the mountains objects:

Kolsai Lakes

The Kolsai Lakes are a system of three high-mountain lakes in the northern Tien Shan, located in the national park of the same name in the Kegen region. The lakes are located 330 kilometers from the city of Almaty, which is approximately 5-4 hours by car. The largest of the three is considered to be the middle one (Mynzhylgy), and the third is located close to the Kyrgyz border.

The Kolsai lakes are often called the “Pearls of the Northern Tien Shan”. They are surrounded by coniferous forest and are a popular holiday destination. On the territory of the protected park you can find rare species of plants and animals.

Infrastructure and entertainment

Kolsay Lakes National Park has comfortable gazebos and picnic spots. There is everything for an active holiday: the opportunity to arrange a horseback ride, go on a hike to the middle Kolsai, walk along the bridges on the lower Kolsai, ride boats and catamarans and arrange a photo shoot against the backdrop of picturesque lakes. In winter, when the surface of the lakes freezes, they turn into an arena for ice skating. 

How to get to the Kolsai Lakes?

To get to the Kolsai Lakes by car, you need to go along the Kuldzha highway to the fork (1 km to the village of Chilik). After that, turn right and move forward to Chungji. Next, the route will be as follows: Kokpek village - Zhalanash village - Saty village.

Lake Kaindy

Lake Kaindy is a natural location located in the Almaty region in the Kolsai Lakes State National Park. The lake got its name from a birch grove growing several kilometers away. A special feature of this place is the spruce trees sticking out of the water, which appeared here as a result of the flood caused by the Kemin earthquake in 1911.

There are several popular locations on the territory of Kainda that you can visit. These include the Panorama observation deck, which offers a picturesque view of the expanse of water, as well as the Gate of Desires, where tourists are charged with the energy of mountain water. In 2021, a pier was built on Lake Kaindy. Previously, observation platforms were built only on the lower Kolsai Lake. There are several gazebos near the lake.

How to get to Lake Kaindy?

As a rule, Lake Kaindy is visited in one trip together with the lower Lake Kolsai!

Lake Kaindy personifies the real wild nature of Kazakhstan. There is no paved road leading directly to the shore, making this place difficult to access. To get to the lake, you need to have an SUV, as some sections of the road need to be crossed over a river.

Having reached the barrier, you can take a walk to the lake, or rent a horse and ride there.

Turgen Gorge

The Turgen Gorge is a place where many residents and guests of Almaty come to relax and enjoy the silence of nature, sit by the river, have a mountain hike or a picnic in the fresh air. This place is also famous for the Saki burial mounds, where the Golden Man was found in the 60s of the last century. 

On the territory of the Turgen Gorge there is the Kiela-Bulak spring and the statue of the Golden Man, an ostrich farm, a trout farm, Bear and Kairak waterfalls, Chinturgen spruce forest, Turgen river and Kishi Turgen and much more.

How to get to Turgen Gorge?

The gorge is located in Ile-Alatau National Park, 70 kilometers from the city of Almaty, which is about 2-3 hours drive. The road to the gorge begins at the intersection of Ryskulov and Kuldzhinsky tract streets. After 36 kilometers you need to turn right and drive along Altyn Adam Street towards the town of Esik. At kilometer 57, turn right in front of the Royal Petrol gas station and continue forward to the eco-post of the Ile-Alatau National Park. In addition to this route, there are several roads running along the Talgar highway and along the BAK.

Where to stay in the Turgen Gorge?

In the gorge there is many holiday homes, hotels, mini-hotels and countryside recreation areas. Modest accommodation options will cost from 10,000 tenge and above, depending on the conditions and the number of people.

Charyn Canyon

The Charyn Canyon is one of the most popular locations, located 195 km from the city of Almaty. The natural monument stretches for 154 kilometers along the identical Charyn River, which is three times smaller in area than its presidential counterpart, the Grand Canyon.

The Charyn Canyon is so large that it has stabilized on the territory of three districts of the Almaty region. 25 million years ago, on the site of the Charyn Canyon there was the Ili Sea.

One hundred ecological post (entrance to the national park) of the Charyn National Park - 792 tenge per person.

There is a campsite on the territory of the Charyn Canyon , where tourists can refresh themselves and go to the restroom.

Valley of Castles

One of the most popular routes among passengers is reaching the “Valley of Castles” length more than 2 kilometers. This place has many legends, births with witches and mystical origins. The gorge runs along the path that leads to the Charyn River. When you solve problems here, do not necessarily add Ash and Turanga groves to your plan.

Flora and fauna

Despite the arid climate, in The Charyn Canyon is home to more than 30 species of mammals, including animals listed in the Red Book. The flora includes more than 1,500 species of plants.

How to get to the Charyn Canyon?

The distance between the city of Almaty and the Charyn Canyon is 195 kilometers, which is approximately 3-3.5 hours by car. You need to go along the Kuldzha highway to the Chilik fork - it will be at the 110th kilometer. Next you need to turn right, at kilometer 165 you need to turn right again and pass the village of Kokpek. After 23 kilometers there will be a sign with a turn to the Charyn Canyon. Don't miss the exit that brought you to the eco-post.

Altyn-Emel (national park)

The Singing Dune is unique in that it was formed many millennia ago as a result of the shift of the Great Kalkan volcano and a unique wind rose, which allows the dune to remain in place for millennia. The dune is also special because it can produce its own special sound, “sing,” which is part of various legends.

The sacredness of this place in the desert is reflected in Paulo Coelho's novel Zaire. The action takes place in Kazakhstan, and the main character has a revelation near a singing dune. Travelers want to believe that if they climb to the crest of the dune, their dreams will come true.

You will have the opportunity to climb the sand to Barkhan, enjoy the stunning scenery that opens from its top, and descend from Barkhan.

Traveling in an SUV will allow you to get away from the bustle of the city, take great photos, and enjoy the clean air and atmosphere around you.