If you travel to Almaty but you do not have much time, this information can be useful for you. We prepare interesting day trips for you:
Almaty
Visiting Almaty itself is worth your time. The vast and beautiful avenues of this charming city and the many green parks are ideal for pleasant walks. You can stroll in Park named after First President and relax in the Japanese corner, located in the park with sakura trees, streams, and a pond.
Also in Almaty, you can find unique historical monuments, such as the Zenkov Cathedral or the Museum of Musical Instruments. If you love shopping, be sure to visit the city’s largest market – Zeleniy Bazaar with its variety of goods and the endless flow of people, creating its own unique colorful atmosphere. Fresh products, authentic Kazakh dishes, and dried fruits are only a few reasons to experience this authentic place.
Charyn Canyons
From Almaty, you can explore the fantastic Charyn Canyons. This is a unique natural monument, located 200 kilometers from the city. Amazing and unusual landscapes fascinate all the travelers visiting canyons. It is famous for its impressive colorful mountain formations of various shapes and sizes, that remind the Grand Canyon in America. They were formed under the influence of weathering of sedimentary rocks. The most popular places in the Charyn canyons include the Valley of Castles, the Turang Grove and the Charyn River.
Issyk Lake
After driving one hour to the east from the city, you will find yourself at the amazing lake – Issyk. This place is ideal for those who appreciate nature, peace and quiet. The lake is surrounded by rocky gorges, alpine meadows and dense forests spread around it. When the sky is clouded, the lake turns gray, and under bright sunlight, the water becomes turquoise or green. Here you can have an unforgettable picnic with a view of the lake and mountains after a walk in the forest.
Big Almaty Lake
If you have one free day in Almaty, be sure to visit Big Almaty Lake. The lake can be reached by car from the center of the city in 1 hour. The lake is hidden behind the snow-capped mountains of Trans-Ili Alatau and beautiful landscapes. Three mountain peaks rise above the lake: Sovetov Peak (4317 m), Ozerniy Peak (4110 m) and Tourist Peak (3954 m). You can visit here the Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory located above the lake. It is open to the public and offers accommodation for tourists.
Tamgaly-Tas
Tamgaly-Tas is famous for its rocks where many petroglyphs with Buddhist inscriptions or images of mystical divine beings are carved. The most famous are the images of Buddha Shakyamuni, Buddha of Infinite Light, and Infinite Compassion. You can also find a large number of stones with ancient Turk inscriptions, presumably made by the Kipchaks. Visit Tamgaly-Tas to discover the rocks and many legends associated with this mysterious place.
