How To Get To Stunning Big Almaty Lake [Updated]

Learn how to get to Big Almaty Lake, a stunning, turquoise, alpine lake, backed by snow-capped peaks, up over 8,200’ (2511 m) above sea level. It’s located in the Ile Alatau region of the Tian Shan mountains, joining the the Kolsay Lakes and Kaindy Lake as the most beautiful lakes in this region of Kazakhstan. I highly recommend visiting all three, although with limited tourist infrastructure, unfortunately, all three are a bit challenging to get to.

Big Almaty Lake, should be the easiest, as it is the closest, and actually in Almaty. But, there is currently a road closure, making it more challenging than usual.

This post covers Big Almaty Lake, how to get there, what to expect, and the best time to visit.

About Big Almaty Lake

Big Almaty Lake is known as BAO by locals, short for Bolshoe Almatinskoy Ozero, which means Big Almaty Lake in Russian. It’s also known as BAL, which is short for Big Almaty Lake, as well as Zhasylkol in Kazakh.

This lovely lake was born after several earthquakes created a dam, and the area filled with water from glacial melt. The glacial sediment is what gives it its stunning turquoise hue. Especially in September and early October.

In the spring, snow melting into the lake from the nearby mountain peaks, turns it more of a milky blue green.

The water in the lake is very fresh and pure. So pure, it’s piped down to Almaty as drinking water for the city. This, of course, means there is no swimming in the lake. You are not even allowed to get close to the edge. There are guards here watching to make sure no one gets too close.

When I was here, there was someone with his Golden Eagle, which is an amazing part of historic Kazakh culture. He was offering to let people get a photo holding his eagle. See my post on the Kazakh Nomads of Mongolia to learn more, as well as to learn why so many Kazakh nomads moved to Mongolia. It’s a fascinating story.

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How To Get To Big Almaty Lake

Big Almaty Lake is located about 18 miles (30 km) from central Almaty. It’s roughly 9 miles (15 km) from the center of Almaty to the entrance at the base of the mountain, plus another 9 miles (15 km) up to the lake. The distance isn’t too far, but just enough to make getting there challenging as a tourist, with no direct public transportation.

When the road was open, there were several options to get here, including taking a tour, hailing a taxi, hitchhiking, and taking a bus partway, then catching a taxi or hitchhiking the rest of the way.

With the current road closure, there are fewer options. You can drive or take a taxi to the Ayusai Center, then walk to Big Almaty Lake, or book a tour. To learn more about each, see below. I have also left in the options on how to get to Big Almaty Lake when the road is open again. Hopefully that will be soon as it has been closed for almost 4 years now!

Due to the road closure, it’s best to check with the Ayusai Center, which is between the center of Almaty and Big Almaty Lake, for the most up-to-date detail.

Tours To Big Almaty Lake

Taking a tour is the easiest way to reach Big Almaty Lake with the road closure, but also the most expensive option. I recommend one of these two tours.

• Private Tour To Big Almaty Lake offers a ride up (where he hires an approved driver that can access the road) or an option to hike 6 km up (3.7 miles), then back down 6 km (3.7 miles). It looks, however, like this may change from time to time. Because of this, he requests that you call his WhatsApp number (on his booking page) before booking.
• Big Almaty Lake: Choose Your Adventure on Foot or by Car also offers the choice between a ride or a hike up. This option notes the hike is 14 km (8.7 mile) round trip. He also requests contacting him via WhatsApp before booking for the same reason.

You can also try asking at your hotel as they may know a local that offers tours as well.

Note that the tour guide will probably tell you to bring a copy of your passport with you. It is actually a law in Kazakhstan that you should always carry it with you. This is even more important in this area as it’s close to the border of Kyrgyzstan. Especially if hiking.

Taxi To The Ayusai Visitor Center, Then Hike

I have read that you can drive, or taxi, to the Ayusai Visitor Center, then hike from there. On Google maps, this hike is noted as 7.5 miles (12 km), taking 3 to 4 hours each way.

This makes for a very long hike, but if you’re up for the hike, and don’t want to take a tour, it is an alternative. Contact the visitor center in advance to verify this is possible when you are here.

If you’re considering this, a Yandex Go taxi from Kok Tobe to the Ayusai Visitor center is 2,700 to 3,700 KZT, which is about $5 to $7. Costs are as of January 2025. If driving, there is a parking area here. There are also restrooms and, of course, information at the information center.

Keep in mind that many taxi drivers do not speak English, so if you want them to pick you back up after your hike, or anything else, be prepared to translate it for them in Google Translate.

Also, as noted above, if you are hiking on your own, make sure to bring your passport with you.

Note on Yandex Taxi: As Yandex is a Russian owned company, there have been rumors that they may stop running in Kazakhstan due to sanctions on Russia, but that has not happened yet.

Taxi From Almaty To Big Almaty Lake

When the road to Big Almaty Lake opens again, a taxi is the easiest option. Have your accommodation arrange a taxi for you round trip, with wait time at the lake. Or use Yandex Go to schedule a pick up. Wifi is not available at the peak and it’s unlikely, but possible, to catch a taxi down from there.

The current cost for a ride from Kok Tobe in Almaty to Big Almaty Lake ranges from 8,700 to 11,300 KZT each way or $16 to $21. Multiply this times 3 or 4, depending on how long you plan to stay at the lake, which is about $50 to $84, most likely the higher amount. These estimates are as of January 2025. Don’t be surprised if you are asked to pay the entrance fee on top of this. More on that below.

Again, be prepared to have your request pre translated for them. Especially if you want them to wait for you while you are at the lake.

Bus To First President’s Park, Then Bus, Taxi, Or Hitchhike

When the roads are open again, another option is to take the bus to First President’s Park, which is not to far from BOL, to save taxi costs, then take another bus, a taxi, or hitchhike.

To do this, take bus 34 (select block 34 on the link) to Presidential Park from Almaty. The cost of bus is 80 KZT each way, or about $0.18, with a transport card. It’s a little higher when using cash, which is called an ONAY ticket. This is 150 KZT, or about $0.28. These cost are from 2025. Stopping at the park, however, is more than just saving taxi costs, it’s also a nice stop.

From here there are three main options to get to the entrance of the park; taxi, hitchhiking, or take bus 28 to Kokshoky Village, getting you even closer, then taking a taxi or hitchhiking from there.

Taxi From First President’s Park to Big Almaty Lake

There is a small bus stop around the corner of First President’s Park, where you should be able to find a taxi, or order one from Yandex Go. The taxi stop is below, and a little farther down, from the bridge I took this photo from (to the left).

Current prices on Yandex Go from First Presidential Park to Big Almaty Lake range from 5,300 to 7,000 KZT, which is about $10 to $13 each way (as of Janaury 2025). The ride takes about 35 minutes. You will need to negotiate the cost for them to wait for you and return you to the park. A rough estimate of this is 3 to 4 times this cost, depending on your length of stay, or $30 to $50.

This option is less than the cost of the tour, or full taxi ride from central Almaty above. And, if you run into another traveler doing this same thing, you can share a ride and reduce the cost even more.

Hitchhike from First President’s Park to Big Almaty Lake

This may seem scary to those from western countries, but hitchhiking is not unusual in Kazakhstan (and neighboring Kyrgyzstan). Before my trip here, I read on government websites that you should never get in a stranger’s cars here, but quickly learned that it’s really difficult to avoid this as public transportation to tourist sites is not well developed yet.

Hitchhiking, of course, comes with its risks, so you need to decide what is right for you. Although I did not hitchhike in Kazakhstan, I did so several times in Kyrgyzstan and felt very safe each time. And one of my rides was over 3 hours long!

Locals are known to operate as unofficial taxis here, expecting a fee in return. Althiugh some will do this at Bo cost at all. Most are honest and safe, but I have heard of tourists getting scammed, so be careful. And, of course, there is always the chance you could get a nasty driver.

To negotiate, make sure you know the cost to the destination, and if it’s for one person or multiple (if there are more in your group), and if you need wait time. Use the Yandex app in advance to see what they charge and use this as a guide to negotiate.

The downside to this option (other than safety risks) is that you need to hitchhike or taxi back if they will not wait for you. And there is no wifi service there. You may run into a kind could or a taxi, but you may need to walk down.

Theoretically, the cost of this should be the same, and most likely less, than an official taxi as you should be able to negotiate a better rate with a local. Plus, it’s a great way to meet the locals.

Take Bus 28 from First President’s Park To Kokshoky Village, Then Taxi or Hitchhike

The last option adds in another step, taking bus 28 from First President’s Park to the last stop in a village called Kokshoky. This gets you an additional 5 miles (plus or minus) closer to Big Almaty Lake. From there, you can catch a taxi or hitchhike at a lower cost. See the link here for the route and stops for bus 28 (select block 28).

The downside is coordinating the timing of the two buses and the hassle of catching the more remote rides, where there is less traffic. This option is best only if you’re really serious about saving money.

Park Entrance Fees and Requirements

Note that by law you need to carry your passport in Kazakhstan, so bring it with you. Especially when traveling to Big Almaty Lake.

Also, there are random park entrance fees in addition to the costs noted above. In some places I’ve read it’s 200 KZT, while others say 400 KZT per person plus 500 per vehicle. Either way, it’s not much, but nice to know. Make sure to have cash for this.

My taxi driver and I were admitted for free. Although he only spoke Russian, he indicated that the fee wasn’t charged because he was ex-military. He did this through gestures, showing me his badge and tossing away a bill in the car. It’s amazing how much you can communicate without knowing the actual language.

How To Prepare For Big Almaty Lake

As the process to get here and back takes some time, bring plenty of water and snacks to enjoy along the way. And, of course, as noted, your passport.

There will not be cell phone service at the peak, so download any maps in advance. This way, you’ll be able to track where you are in case there is an issue with a taxi or while hitchhiking. Fully charge your phone before you leave, or bring a charger.

Remember that there is no swimming in the lake and you cannot get too close to the edge. Guards are constantly on the lookout for this.

Also, I did not see any bathroom facilities here, so be aware there are probably not any. Note there are not many bushes here either and I’m sure the guards have really good binoculars.

When To Visit Big Almaty Lake

Try to avoid weekends and holidays, as it can get busy in peak season. If arriving in the afternoon, keep in mind the mountains may block the setting sun, so don’t arrive too late.

Summer is the best time to visit tempertuare-wise, as the weather will be the best, but any time of year is possible.

As noted above, the color of the lake is generally its most brilliant shade of turquoise in the fall (September and early October). Due to snow melting, it will have a more milky blue-green color in the spring. It’s still beautiful either way, but fall is noted as the best. In winter, the lake may be frozen and snow-covered.

Note that my visit and photos are from the end of September. The color of the lake was stunning! And because it was a sunny day with puffy clouds, as the clouds moved between the sun and the lake, the colors on the lake kept shifting. I was really impressed.

Where To Stay In Almaty

There are many places to stay in Almaty, but if you start to dig into the reviews, many get very mixed feedback. Below I’ve listed some centrally located places that get (mostly) great reviews. Many of these book up quickly, so book early.

Shoestring

• Art Hostel is a 6-bedroom very basic mixed dorm within walking distance of some of the main sites. It’s also not far from the tourist center noted above. This is where I stayed and for the price, I enjoyed it, liked the people, and felt safe. 

Budget

• Apartment on Abylai Khan is also centrally located. It’s near the Zhibek Zholy metro station, and within walking distance to Zankov’s Cathedral. This budget accommodation gets very high reviews.
• The Soviet Union Apartment in the Heart of the Old City is also centrally located. It gets good reviews in addition to being a little historic. It’s located near the Almaly metro station. 

Moderate

• If you want something more grand, but want to avoid the international chain hotels here, try the Kazakhstan Hotel (I always try to choose local over big chains). This historic Soviet era hotel, located by Kök Töbe Gondola, is a 4-star hotel. Reviewers note it’s a little dated, but renovation seems to be going on. It’s known for its views of the Zailiyskiy Alatau snow peaks.

Other Things To See and Do In Kazakhstan

In addition to Big Almaty Lake, there’s a staggering wealth of natural beauty in Kazakhstan, offering a lot for the outdoor enthusiast.

There are also sites within Almaty to see, which makes an ideal base for exploring Kazakhstan. See my post on the Best Things To Do In Almaty for details. In addition to what to do in Almaty, it also highlights other amazing day trips like a visit to Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes, other stunning alpine gems here!

To see a comprehensive overview of Kazakhstan: including top sights, safety, scams, money matters, and more, see my Kazakhstan Travel Guide.

Safe Travels!

Julie