Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour worth booking?
Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour is a 7-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $40 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (17)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $40 per person
Issyk and Turgen Gorges are one of the key and most comfortable destinations to travel from Almaty. The one-way drive will take no more than 1.5 hour from the city. Amazing views of the Ile-Alatau National Park from Tur
What you get
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Professional guide
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
About this experience
Issyk and Turgen Gorges are one of the key and most comfortable destinations to travel from Almaty. The one-way drive will take no more than 1.5 hour from the city. Amazing views of the Ile-Alatau National Park from Turgen Gorge side are more pristine and pure because of the remoteness from big city. Here you will enjoy a nice and easy hike to the Bear waterfall. Lake Issyk is a perfect place to peacefully rest, surrounded by rich mountain nature. The combination of evergreen forests, fresh clear water and snowy peaks makes this place delightful. There is not only pristine nature with the rough waterfall and mountain lake but also the unique Golden Man (ancient warrior found in this area) archeological museum on the way. There is also a local trout farm where you can have a nice outdoor lunch during the tour. This tour is one of the well balanced activities that you can have in Almaty surroundings. It doesn't require long car journeys and can be conveniently done as a day trip.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- Professional guide
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Lunch
- Snacks
What you'll see and do
Issyk State Historical and Cultural Reserve-Museum
The museum is located on a territory of ancient Saka people's burial mounds. The most famous finding from here was a burial of a Golden Man, a warrior dressed in traditional armor with battle equipments and 4000 pure gold ornaments. It is supposed that skeleton belongs to a young Saka (Scythian) prince or princess. So called, The Golden Man, became the national symbol of Kazakhstan
30 minutes here · Admission included
Turgen Waterfalls
Beautiful Turgen Gorge is one of the few mountain gorges near Almaty. Ever green trees, fast rivers, rocks and cliffs - create local landscape. There are few waterfalls hiding in the forest. One of them is Bear waterfall - the most accessible. You can reach it in 40 minutes walking on easy trail and observing surrounding beauty.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Issyk
Issyk Lake is one of the two mountain lakes that are accessible to visit within an hour drive from Almaty. It is located up in the picturesque mountain gorge with crystal clear river flowing along. The place is great to relax and enjoy the views of the surrounding peaks. You can leisurely walk around to the river mouth that feeds the lake with cool water from the alpine glaciers. During the summer season a boat ride on the lake is available.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- NEOmad
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 17 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Physical effort
4 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
17 verified traveler reviews for Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly recommended
Fantastic trip! Started at 9AM, got back at 5PM, about 1h30 one-way in a car. Excellent organisation and guidance by Nursultan, who showed around the golden man museum, the background history, and later we went to the bear waterfall and Issyk lake. Lunch was exceptional too!
via Tripadvisor
A great day trip with Nursultan!
Beautiful mountain, lake and waterfall tour. Our guide Nursultan even made us tea by the lakeside! And the Golden Man Miseum was very interesting The hike to the waterfall is steep. We had a kabob lunch at Arushka that was delicious!
via Viator
Stunner Tour!
This tour was gorgeous. The scenery! The history! The epicness! The story of the Golden warrior is really interesting and I would absolutely definitely recommend this guide as he is very informative and will be able to answer questions and give you more details than is available. The history is very interesting and it was great to learn more about the history and culture of Kazakhstan and Almaty. The Bear Falls section of the tour was just as excellent (no lie I found it hard to choose which bit was my favourite so I've classified the whole thing as absolutely excellent!). The path crosses the stream in some sections and it's lovely to touch the icy water while you walk. The views are amazing! I am not very fit but I was still able to do it (we also passed families walking). The path was good and there is even a handrail for a steep bit. The visitor centre is situated by the river which is just an absolutely beautiful spot to rest by. We got tea after the walk and it was so lovely. The lake has some breathingly stunning mountain views. Do the tour, have no regrets!
via Tripadvisor
An amazing trip
A strenuous climb up to the waterfall but we'll worth it and we're given chances to rest.Loved our museum trip with a knowledgeable guide from the museum to explain everything. Even though the weather was cloudy and the lake was grey and not blue it didn't distract from it's beauty.
via Viator
No to be missed
Very knowledgeable and friendly English speaking guide. We missed out on the Bear waterfalls due to rockslide blocking the access road. However, this was made up with extra time at the picturesque Issyk lake
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $40 to $271
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Almaty.
How much does Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour cost?
+
Prices start at $40 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Almaty usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour take?
+
Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Almaty is not rushed.
Is Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Almaty, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour?
+
Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour suitable for kids and families?
+
The operator sets a minimum age of 1. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 7-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour?
+
Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Almaty can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
+
Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Almaty and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour start and how do I get there?
+
The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Almaty within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Almaty?
+
On Outty we rank every Almaty experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour, Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour, Small-Group Tour: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Almaty?
+
Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Almaty?
+
Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
+
Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Issyk Lake & Bear waterfall in Turgen Gorge + Golden Man museum day tour.
Pick your date
