The Journey

Alongside Issyk, Big Almaty Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Ile Alatau. At 2,511 m above sea level, it is approximately 1.2 km long, 820 m wide and 35–40 m deep.

Winter at the lake

The lake is covered in snow in winter, but hikes continue through the forested Big Almaty Gorge beneath the surrounding peaks. The operator describes this as one of the routes with the lowest avalanche risk.

Before the hike

Get enough sleep and eat breakfast. Tell the guide in advance about any medical contraindications, especially heart conditions or blood pressure problems. Alcohol and drugs are prohibited on the hike. Mountain sunshine is strong and the weather can change unexpectedly; follow the packing checklist and take care of your health.

Day by Day

Expedition Itinerary

07:50–08:00. Meet at the starting point, or near your hotel to travel there with the guide by prior request.
08:30–08:45. Start hiking along the asphalt road, then climb the stairs beside the pipe and continue along the pipe itself. Steep and gentler sections alternate, with stops to rest and catch your breath. The ascent from the checkpoint takes about 3–3.5 hours; the lake is 6 km away. The terrain is straightforward, but the hike calls for average fitness and some hiking experience.
12:00–13:00. Reach the lake, which stays hidden until the final approach. Its colour changes with the weather and season: vivid blue in autumn and early spring, and pearly turquoise through much of summer.
17:00–18:00. Return to the city. The group and guide may choose the alternative, slightly longer way back through Shukur Gorge.

🥾 12 km ↗ +800m

Transparency

What's Included & Packing Checklist

Included in Price

Guide service
Basic first aid kit
Photo report
Consultation
National park environmental fees

Not Included

Hotel pick-up/drop-off and transportation Almaty — Big Almaty Gorge — Almaty
Porter service
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Lunch
Trekking poles (available for rent)

Recommended Packing Checklist

Apparel & Layers

Summer: trekking shirt, fleece or hoodie, raincoat or hardshell, trekking trousers, sun hat, buff and trekking shoes or boots
Winter: thermal long sleeve, fleece or hoodie, snow pants, demi-season or winter boots, jacket, woollen hat, gloves and warm socks

Gear & Equipment

Light daypack
Trekking poles
Seat mat (optional)
Winter: headlamp, gaiters and crampons

Trail Essentials

Passport for the border guard document check
Some cash
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Personal first aid kit and any regularly prescribed medication

Food

1–2 litres of water
Thermos of tea
Lunch and snacks: sandwiches, pancakes or pies

Rates

Price

Exactly 0% markup. You pay the organizers directly, with no agency commissions or hidden markups.

Fixed total price for the whole group.

1 Guest

75,000 ₸ / group

(~$160)

2 Guests

80,000 ₸ / group

(~$170)

3 Guests

90,000 ₸ / group

(~$190)

4 Guests

98,000 ₸ / group

(~$207)

5 Guests

110,000 ₸ / group

(~$235)

Larger groups and payment currency

For more than five people, the price is calculated individually. USD amounts are approximate references; final prices and payments are in KZT.

Guide Team

Your Mountain Guides

Languages on site: English

Marina Kadnikova

Club founder • Certified Trekking Guide & Sports Master Candidate

🇬🇧 Fluent English🏔️ Mountain Tourism Instructor🩹 First Aid (Red Crescent)📜 USAID / KMGA Certification🏆 1st Category Judge

In sports tourism since 2014. In 2020, she founded the active tourism club, turning her passion into a lifelong mission. Certified through international USAID and KMGA trekking guide programs, Marina specializes in creating safe, inspiring mountain journeys across Kazakhstan.

“The Almaty mountains are a realm of pure energy and freedom. My goal is to help you experience this wild beauty with total peace of mind and comfort.”

Alexey Fedorenko

Certified Trekking Guide • 1st Category Mountain Guide

🇬🇧 Fluent English🏔️ 1st Category Guide (KTA)🩹 First Aid (Red Crescent)📜 USAID / KMGA Certification

Exploring high peaks since 2008. Alexey has completed 12+ technical sports expeditions and conquered numerous 4,000-meter summits (highest peak: Kok-Bulak, 4,560 m). Certified through the Almaty Sports Tourism Federation, USAID, and KMGA, Alexey seamlessly blends high-altitude safety expertise with passion.

“Every mountain journey is a chance to test your limits and find quiet clarity. My goal is to ensure your trek is inspiring, memorable, and completely safe.”

Stanislav Ivanov

Certified Trekking Guide • Adventure Tourism Instructor

🇬🇧 Fluent English🏔️ Mountaineer of Kazakhstan (NP-1)🩹 First Aid (60 hours)📜 ISO 21101 / Turclub Certification

Stanislav’s journey in the mountains evolved from challenging early climbs to high-altitude skyrunning and technical mountaineering. Certified under international ISO 21101 adventure tourism standards (180h), backed by advanced 60-hour First Aid training and NP-1 mountaineering credentials, he combines endurance with care.

“The mountains reveal a world of pure wonder and quiet transformation. I’m here to support you every step of the way and create memories you’ll treasure forever.”

Alexandra Sotnikova

Trekking Guide • Professional Ski Instructor

🇬🇧 Fluent English⛷️ Professional Ski Instructor🏔️ In the Mountains Since Childhood✨ Aesthetics & Mindful Pacing

Exploring the mountains since childhood. As a professional ski instructor, Alexandra deeply understands movement mechanics, physical endurance, and ideal group pacing. She uniquely blends an athletic approach with a keen eye for mountain aesthetics and genuine group care.

“A great hike is a safe, honest, and beautiful journey — where you return physically tired, but deeply fulfilled and at peace inside.”