Lake Issyk Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Lake Issyk Tour worth booking?
Lake Issyk Tour is a 5-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $20 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (3)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $20 per person
We will drive along the former caravan route of the legendary Grate Silk Way with the views of Tian Shan mountains. We will get to know about the magic qualities of the Grate Steppe . On the way we will make a photo stop
What you get
- Proffessional guide services
- In-vehicle air conditioning
About this experience
We will drive along the former caravan route of the legendary Grate Silk Way with the views of Tian Shan mountains. We will get to know about the magic qualities of the Grate Steppe . On the way we will make a photo stop at the archeological area with the ancient Saki burial mounts which are thousands of years old but still can tell us the stories about the grate nomadic civilization of the antique times and there you will learn the story of how the terrible tragedy brought Kazakh people to the discovery of their national symbol. The third part of our journey takes us to the National park in the mountains where besides the stunning mountain views we will observe the sad ruins of the Soviet time resorts that witnessed one of the worst of natural disasters that happened in this area in July of 1963 that took many human lives and destroyed one of the wonders of this mountains. We will speak about the beauty and the danger of this place in the historical perspective.
What's included
Included
- Proffessional guide services
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- an entrance fee in the Archeaological Museum
- Natural Park admission fee
What you'll see and do
Al Farabi Kazakh National University
Our journey lies through the city center to the picturesque Al-Farabi avenue where we will see the most prestigious upper part of the city. Then we will be driving through the country side where in the Medieval times lied an ancient caravan “highway” of the Grate Silk Road. We will have time to speak about the history of the Semirechye region and what does this name mean, we will learn about the life, culture and traditions of the Turkic people.
60 minutes here
Almaty State Nature Reserve
When we turn towards the Essyk village we start to enjoy the views of the Tian Shian mountains again and soon we stop for photos at the huge field of the ancient Turkic burial mounts, the area now belongs to the State National Reserve. In one of this mounts the famous “Golden Man” was found. Some of the artefacts found during the excavations at these mounts are kept at the Archeological museum of the Reserve. Museum visit is optional. 15 minutes photo stop
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Lake Issyk
Then we drive to the Illi-Allatu Nature Reserve and go up by the mountain serpentine to the altitude of 1756m above the sea level. We will discuss the history of this road that led to the luxury Soviet time resort in the middle of the 20th century and get to know about the tragedy that ruined it in the 1963. You will get wonderful views of the Issyk gorge from the road and we will make a stop at one or two viewpoints to take photos.
60 minutes here
Lake Issyk
By this time you will be hungry , either you take some food with you or we can go to the trout farm , an amazing experience to fish a trout which will be prepared for you !!!!!
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Lake Issyk
When we reach the parking lot we start a short and not steep walking up (1,2 km) to the lake. Soon you will get absolutely amazing view of the bright turquoise color lake surrounded by the Tian-Shan mountain peaks! Upon your wish we may walk to the other side of the lake to the spot where the river Issyk flows into the lake or\and explore the mudflow protection structures. Time at the lake 2 hours. After the Lake we drive back to Almaty ( it takes about 1 hour )
60 minutes here
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
- ar, de, cmn, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- TJ Travel
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $20 to $275
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Lake Issyk Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Almaty.
How much does Lake Issyk Tour cost?
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Prices start at $20 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 Lake Issyk Tour take?
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Plan for about 5 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 Lake Issyk Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 across 3 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 Lake Issyk Tour?
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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 Lake Issyk Tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 1. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Lake Issyk Tour?
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Around 1 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?
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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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Lake Issyk Tour start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
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