Issyk Lake, Assy Plateau & Turgen Gorge day tour from Almaty

Three mountain valleys in one day: alpine lake, high plateau, and waterfalls

A full-day tour from Almaty visits Issyk Lake, the Assy Plateau and Turgen Gorge, three distinct alpine landscapes in the Trans-Ili Alatau range. The tour includes an English-speaking guide, lunch, bottled water and hotel pickup, running 10 to 12 hours. You see thick forests and flower fields around the lake, drive across a high valley at 2,100 to 2,800 meters, and walk to waterfalls including the Bear Falls in a pine forest with hot springs and clear-water lakes nearby.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Issyk Lake, Assy Plateau, Turgen Gorge

• Travel to Issyk Lake
• Explore Issyk Lake surroundings
• Drive to Assy Plateau
• Visit Assy Plateau valley
• Proceed to Turgen Gorge
• See waterfalls and pine forests

The experience

You start from your Almaty hotel and drive about 70 kilometers east to Issyk Lake, a high alpine lake surrounded by dense forest and open flower fields at 1,760 meters above sea level. The lake sits in the Issyk Gorge, and the landscape shifts between thick tree cover and meadow. From there the route continues roughly 100 kilometers east to the Assy Plateau, a vast valley floor at 2,100 to 2,800 meters elevation that stretches about 40 kilometers across. This is some of Kazakhstan's best pastureland, and the scale of the open high country is what makes the plateau distinct from the forested gorges on either side of it.

The third stop is Turgen Gorge, located 90 kilometers from Almaty, where the landscape narrows back into a canyon with waterfalls, pine forest, hot springs and lakes with clear water. The Bear Falls, about 30 meters high, is the signature waterfall here. You'll have time to walk among the trees and see the water features, then return to Almaty by late afternoon or early evening. Lunch is included during the day, and your guide speaks English and can answer questions about the Kazakh village lifestyle and landscape you pass through.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• lunch.
• an air-conditioned vehicle for the full route.
• an English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup in Almaty.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (5 to 90 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Explore Kazakhstan

Is this one for you?This tour packs three distinct alpine landscapes into a single day, so it suits travelers with limited time in Almaty who want to see high-altitude lakes, plateau valleys and mountain waterfalls without multiple separate bookings. The 10- to 12-hour commitment and the continuous driving between sites mean it works best for those comfortable with a full day of travel and ready to move between locations rather than spend hours at one place.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Issyk Lake like when you get there?

Issyk Lake sits at 1,760 meters in a gorge surrounded by thick forests and open flower fields. The alpine setting and the combination of tree cover and meadow make it visually distinct from the lower valleys around Almaty.

How high does the Assy Plateau climb?

The Assy Plateau sits at 2,100 to 2,800 meters above sea level and stretches roughly 40 kilometers across, making it one of Kazakhstan's largest high-altitude valleys and known for its pastureland.

What waterfalls will I see in Turgen Gorge?

Turgen Gorge is famous for its waterfalls, and the Bear Falls is the main one you'll visit. It drops about 30 meters and sits within a pine forest with hot springs and clear-water lakes nearby.

How long does the full tour take?

The tour runs 10 to 12 hours total, including drive time between the three sites, time at each location and lunch.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Yes, hotel pickup in Almaty is included, and your guide speaks English throughout the day.