Kolsay Lake
You will see the Bartogai reservoir with its turquoise waters, the Lower Kolsai Lake and the canyons with their bizarre landscapes: Black and Moonlight. And also visit the Kurtogai tract-a kingdom of wild nature with Martian landscapes.
With Juliya
Discover turquoise lakes, ancient canyons
and singing dunes with a local expert
Best tours in Kazakhstan with guide with 12 years of experience
You will see the Bartogai reservoir with its turquoise waters, the Lower Kolsai Lake and the canyons with their bizarre landscapes: Black and Moonlight. And also visit the Kurtogai tract-a kingdom of wild nature with Martian landscapes.
The main attraction of the canyon are <strong>rock formations in the form of giant mushrooms</strong>, creating a unique landscape. You can also see <strong>numerous springs and waterfalls</strong> forming small cascades and filling the landscape with freshness.
Singing Sands is a fascinating natural phenomenon located in the south of Kazakhstan. These <strong>giant sand dunes</strong> create a mesmerizing landscape that captivates the imagination and attracts tourists from all over the world.
I was born in Almaty. Started to work as a translator (English-Russian) in mountain treks 23 years ago, after 3 years of 63 days trekking annually in summer season plus botanic and ornithology, horse riding and bike tours at spring and autumn I became a guide and was leading individual and group tours up to 26 people. It was great experience, fun and possibility to travel to the places of my own country which usually are very hard to reach like Inylcheck glacier - foot of Khan-Tengri (7 010 meters high) and Pobeda (7 439) peaks, which is still my favorite place of Kazakhstan.
Real experiences from travelers around the world
Amazing experience! Juliya is the best guide we've ever had. The Kolsay Lake tour was absolutely breathtaking. She knows every hidden spot and makes you feel safe throughout the journey.
June 15, 2024
Incredible adventure in Charyn Canyon! The rock formations are like nothing I've seen before. Juliya's knowledge of geology and local history made the tour educational and fun.
July 22, 2024
Perfect organization! Everything was well-planned from accommodation to transportation. The Singing Dunes were magical at sunset. Highly recommend!
August 10, 2024
Une expérience inoubliable! Juliya is passionate about Kazakhstan and it shows in every detail of the tour. The food was delicious and the landscapes stunning.
May 30, 2024
Best trip of my life! The mountains of Kazakhstan are spectacular. Juliya made sure we saw the most beautiful viewpoints and took amazing photos for us.
September 5, 2024
Fantastic guide and wonderful country! The horse riding tour through the steppe was a dream come true. Juliya is professional, friendly, and speaks excellent English.
July 18, 2024
The tour price includes accommodation, all meals during the tour, transportation (car with driver), guide services, entrance fees to national parks and attractions, and bottled water. Flights to/from Almaty, travel insurance, and personal expenses are not included.
No, we don't rush! Our philosophy is quality over quantity. We typically spend 2-4 hours at each major location, giving you time to explore, take photos, and enjoy the surroundings. We visit 1-3 places per day depending on the tour, ensuring a relaxed and immersive experience.
We use comfortable 4WD vehicles (Toyota Land Cruiser or similar) suitable for mountain roads and off-road conditions. All vehicles are well-maintained, air-conditioned, and equipped with first aid kits. For larger groups, we use minivans with ample luggage space.
Our groups are intentionally small, typically 2-8 people. This ensures personalized attention, flexibility in the itinerary, and a more intimate experience with nature. We never do mass tours with large crowds.
Most of our tours are suitable for people with average fitness levels. We offer different difficulty levels - from easy walks to moderate hikes. The guide will adjust the pace to the group's abilities. If you can walk 5-10 km on relatively flat terrain, you'll be fine for most tours.
We recommend not planning any flights or important transport on the return day until after 6 PM. Tours typically end in Almaty between 4-6 PM, but mountain roads and weather can cause delays. It's better to stay one extra night in Almaty before your departure.
Absolutely! We make regular stops every 1.5-2 hours for rest, photos, and restroom breaks. We also stop at local cafes and markets so you can try authentic Kazakh food and buy fresh produce. The journey is part of the adventure!
Essential items: comfortable hiking shoes, layers of clothing (weather changes quickly in mountains), rain jacket, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, water bottle, camera, and a small backpack for day hikes. We provide a detailed packing list after booking.