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Big Almaty Lake ( m) and snowy peak of Soviets ( m) in September

Treks / Kazakhstan

Big Almaty Lake

Kazakhstan · Nearest city: Almaty

TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 16 km
Climbing≈ 600 m
Highest point2,511 m

A turquoise reservoir in the Trans-Ili Alatau above Almaty, surrounded by snowy peaks. An easy day trip from the city.

Fitness Moderate
Best seasonJune to October
High pointBig Almaty Lake

Watch out: The area near the dam is a water-protection zone. Swimming is not allowed.

Why people choose it

It's a turquoise lake under snowy peaks, a short trip from Almaty.

What makes it different

  • Turquoise water
  • Close to Almaty
  • A mountain road right from the city

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk Big Almaty Lake. These are the main choices people make.

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Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Phone and data

Roaming in Kazakhstan is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.

Kazakhstan eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

This trek reaches 2,511 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.

World NomadsSafetyWingHeymondoTrue Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

Camping is allowed in many areas of the national parks at designated spots, sometimes with a small fee. Border zones need a permit.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Big Almaty Lake

Simple overview map
Big Almaty LakeAlmaty20 kmN

Step by step

  1. Months before

    Plan and book

    • No bookings are needed for most people. Choose a day with a good forecast.
    • Best time to go: June to October.
  2. 6–12 weeks before

    Train and test your gear

    • Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
    • Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
    • Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.

    Readiness quiz · Packing list

  3. Getting there

    Travel to the start

    • Most people start from Almaty.
  4. On the trail

    Walk it

    • Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
    • Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
  5. The finish

    Get home

    • It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.

How the season changes things

Best time: June to October

June to early July

Early summer

Snow still on high passes, fast rivers from snowmelt and green pastures filling with herders.

Bring

  • Gaiters and warm layers
  • River-crossing shoes
  • Cash for yurt camps

Mid-July to August

Peak season

The best weather window, but high passes can still get snow and storms.

Bring

  • Warm sleeping bag for cold nights
  • Sun protection for strong UV
  • Water filter

September

Late season

Clear skies and autumn colours, with freezing nights and herders leaving the high pastures.

Bring

  • Down jacket
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Check that yurt camps are still open

What you'll see

5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.

Big Almaty Lake ( m) and snowy peak of Soviets ( m) in September
Near Big Almaty LakeMountain lake with cloud sky
Near Big Almaty LakeBAO like - panoramio
Near Big Almaty LakeBolshoye Almatinskoye lake, May
Near Big Almaty LakeAlmaty, Kazakhstan - panoramio

Gear for the Big Almaty Lake

Hiking boots Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Trekking poles Top pick: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Rain jackets Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Photo credits: Big Almaty Lake ( m) and snowy peak of Soviets ( m) in September by МаратД, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Mountain lake with cloud sky by Valihan Konurbayev loonatick, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; BAO like - panoramio by Ilya Rudakov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake, May by Alexey Komarov, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Almaty, Kazakhstan - panoramio by Anton Yefimov, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.