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Kazakhstan is a land of vast steppes, rugged mountains and skies that seem to stretch forever.
The Big Almaty Lake raises the bar even higher. Tucked away in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, this alpine lake is one of Kazakhstan’s special places.
Sitting at a high elevation, this lake is surprisingly close to the city of Almaty. This makes it one of the top spots for tourists and locals in Almaty to pay a visit. However, getting there can be a bit confusing.
This blog clears that up! Along with how to reach it, you’ll also know the Big Almaty Lake entrance fee, the weather, the ever-changing colours of the lake and more!
All About Big Almaty Lake
The postcard-worthy Big Almaty Lake is a result of tectonic activity in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. An earthquake approximately 2,000 years ago triggered landslides in the mountains, creating a natural waterbody that collects glacial water.
A huge water pipe was built from the lake to the city of Almaty during the Soviet era. Today, it serves as a drinking water source for the people of Almaty.
As the lake is located at a high altitude, the pipe runs through a steep hill. Due to this, transporting the water is taken care of by gravity itself. Therefore, touching the water or going anywhere near the shore is strictly prohibited.
Where is the Big Almaty Lake Located?
The Big Almaty Lake in Kazakhstan is situated just under 30 km from the Almaty city centre.
The lake feels like a high-mountain escape, quite close to the city but at an altitude of 8,238 feet above sea level. Hence, as you leave the city, you quickly ease into the mountains.
Soon, you are out of sight and out of mind of the city, creating a surreal experience.
Does the Lake Change Colour?
Yes, the Big Almaty Lake indeed changes colours. The reason behind this is pure science, physics + geology, to be exact.
The water source of Big Almaty Lake is from the snow-capped mountains. As glaciers slowly move downhill, they grind rocks and minerals into ultra-fine dust called ‘glacial flour’. These particles don’t settle, they stay suspended in the water.
When sunlight hits them, it scatters through the lake and reflects mostly blue & green wavelengths, creating that iconic electric turquoise glow.
As said, the lake’s appearance is never fixed. Its colour changes noticeably with the seasons and weather conditions.
- Late spring/summer: Turquoise (ice melts + bright sunlight)
- Autumn: Greenish blue
- Cloudy Days: Blue but less vibrant
- Winter: White (Water freezes)
How to Reach Big Almaty Lake?
This is the most asked question by travellers, as reaching the Big Almaty Lake might be confusing.
The travel will be split into two parts:
1. Ways to Reach the Big Almaty Lake Checkpoint from Almaty City
The distance from the city of Almaty is around 25 km. Visitors can take a bus, a cab or join a guided tour to reach the lake.
Bus
From Almaty, you can take bus #28 from the bus stop near the entrance of ‘First President’s Park’.
Cost: 150 Tenge/person (approx.)
Cab
Book a taxi from the ‘Yandex Go’ app, Kazakhstan’s version of Uber.
Cost: 3000 – 4000 Tenge (approx.)
Note: The taxi needs to be booked to the Almaty Lake final checkpoint. It is about 8 km from the actual lake. Post that, private cars and regular taxis won’t be allowed inside.
Entrance fee: 1000 Tenge/car & 200 Tenge/person.
Pro Tip: Avoid booking a private taxi to ‘Big Almaty Lake’ as a normal taxi will not be let past the final checkpoint, but you’ll be paying for the extra 8km, which will be around 1-1.5k tenge.
Note: Many taxi drivers will tell you the path to Almaty Lake is closed, and instead, they’ll take you to a different lake. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS. These are common scams taxi drivers use to get more money from tourists and foreigners.
Guided Tours
Special ‘Big Almaty Lake’ tours are available in limited numbers from Almaty. These tours have authorised permission to drive all the way up to the lake. Hence, no hiking or biking is required!
Cost: 7000 – 10,000 Tenge (approx.)
2. Ways to the Big Almaty Lake from the Checkpoint
From the checkpost, you’ll have to either e-cycle or hike for the rest of the distance, which is around 8-9 km.
Hike
This is the most usual way visitors head to the lake. However, it’s not a walk-in-the-park activity. You need to have a decent fitness level to complete it.
From the final checkpost, it is an 8 km hike to the lake by hiking on the road.
Rather, you can take a shortcut, which is to climb using the stairs next to the pipe (The huge pipe that is built to transport water down to the city from the lake). Considering this, the distance will be significantly shorter.
- Hiking distance by road: 8 km
- Distance by hiking next to the pipe: 5-6 km
- Time required to hike: 2 to 4 hours/one-way (Depends on your fitness level)
As you start walking from your cab, you can see signs that lead to ‘the pipe’. It passes through the middle of the mountain, making it considerably short.
A long set of metal stairs has been built right along the pipe to climb up.
Tip: You can also walk on the pipe; some people say that it’s easier to walk on it rather than to climb the stairs.
E-bikes
If you don’t have much time to hike for 2-4 hours, you can go for an e-cycle. Meanwhile, riding the e-cycle all the way up to Almaty Lake will take about 1 to 1.5 hours, one way.
E-bikes can be picked up from the Ayusay Visitor Centre, and can be pre-booked online from Electrobikes.KZ.
Those e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 50 km/hour. A reflective vest and a helmet will be given to all riders, which needs to be worn mandatorily.
Cost: 20,000 Tenge for 2 hours
Tip: Make sure to tie a jacket/shirt around the e-cycle seat for more comfort. The seats tend to be hard for the journey.
What to Pack for Big Almaty Lake?
The Big Almaty Lake is known for unpredictable weather. Windy sunshine one minute and cold drizzle the other.
The essentials
- Hiking/sports shoes
- Rain gear
- Packed lunch
- Kazakh Snacks
- Fleece
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle (The start of the trek will have drinkable free spring water)
Best Time to Visit Almaty Lake
As the Big Almaty Lake is nestled at a high-elevation base, the temperature up there is noticeably lower. It does get considerably warm in the summers but significantly lower during the winters.
Summers
- June to September
- 15°C to 25°C
- Roads are easier to access and drive on
- Turquoise water and green surroundings with pink wildflowers
- Peak time to visit
Autumns
- October
- 5°C to 15°C
- Emerald green water
- The surrounding scenery will be brown
Winters
- November to March
- -5°C to -15°C
- Heavy snowfall throughout Kazakhstan
- Lake water freezes
- The landscape is completely white with snow
Spring
- April to May
- 5°C to 15°C
- The lake unfreezes slowly
- There will be patches of snow
Note: It’s not practical to expect sudden temperature changes during the seasons mentioned here. The weather and landscape will change slowly.
Conclusion
The Big Almaty Lake is great for visitors, those seeking sights beyond cities. Reaching up there can be difficult sometimes, but it truly rewards anyone who puts in the effort to see it in person.
Hiking through the Trans-Ili Alatau mountain range and witnessing the sheer scale of the lake and the colours of the water, will leave a lasting impression! Just not this range, make sure to check out the Northern Tien Shan Mountains, where the famous Kolsai Lakes are located!
Planning a trip to Kazakhstan? Contact us, Dimaak Tours, for customised Kazakhstan itineraries. Our travel experts will guide you throughout your journey!
FAQs About Big Almaty Lake
Is Big Almaty Lake Worth Visiting?
A big yes! Big Almaty Lake is definitely worth visiting with how stunning it is! The high-altitude lake itself is huge; the water changes colours depending on the season; the mountains around are reflected on the water; and the trail is blessed with rich flora and fauna.
How far is the trek to the Big Almaty Lake?
The hike up to the Big Almaty Lake is around 8 km by the winding roads of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. Meanwhile, if you follow the pipe leading up to the lake, the hike will be around 5-6 km.
Can you swim in Almaty Lake?
No, you cannot swim in the Big Almaty Lake. It is a source of drinking water for the people of Almaty; hence, it is under strict restrictions.
