Almaty's Top Destinations for Unwinding: Exploring Relaxation Spots from the Canyon to the Lake
Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, is not only known for its vibrant urban life but also for the breathtaking natural attractions that lie just beyond its borders. Here are eight must-visit locations to explore during the summer months:
1. Charyn Canyon
Known as the "Grand Canyon of Central Asia," the Charyn Canyon boasts dramatic rock formations and vibrant colors, making it an ideal spot for hiking and photography. Located in the Enbekshi Kazakh Region, approximately 200 km, or 4 hours drive, from the city, visitors should bring a hat, comfortable shoes, and plenty of water, as it gets very hot there in the summer. The canyon's Valley of Castles, featuring red-orange cliffs that resemble fantastical fortresses, is particularly beautiful closer to sunset.
2. Singing Dunes
The Singing Dunes, a unique natural phenomenon found in the National Park "Altyn-Emel," is a sand dune around 150 meters high that emits a resonant "singing" sound when climbed or descended. The best time to visit is during sunrise or sunset. Located approximately 180 km, or 3 hours by car, from the city, the panorama of the mountains and desert surrounding the dunes is impressive in its scale.
3. Asy Plateau
A high-altitude plateau offering panoramic mountain views, wild flower meadows, and traditional yurt stays, the Asy Plateau showcases the rustic Kazakh steppe lifestyle. At the top of the plateau, there's an astrophysics observatory where one of the world's largest telescopes is installed. On the plateau, visitors can enjoy alpine landscapes, including hills, rivers, nomads, and grazing horse herds.
4. Kolsai Lakes
Referred to as "the pearl of Tien Shan," Kolsai is a trio of lakes nestled in dense pine forests. The first lake is easily accessible, while the second requires a 7km hike. The most prepared can reach the third lake, located near the Kyrgyzstan border. Kolsai offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking in pristine nature.
5. Kaindy Lake
Famous for its submerged forest of spruce trees that rise eerily out of turquoise glacial water, Kaindy Lake is a unique and photogenic spot near Almaty. Formed by a 1911 earthquake, this body of water creates a magical atmosphere.
6. Bartogai Reservoir
Bartogai Reservoir, created in 1986, is home to various fish species, making it an angler's paradise. Located in the mountains, the reservoir offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and relaxing in a less touristy, natural environment.
7. Almaty-Arasan Canyon (Arasan Gorge)
This trail offers pristine mountain river views, picturesque waterfalls, and hot springs. Popular for hiking and nature photography near Almaty, the canyon also houses Almaty-Arasan thermal and radon sulfur springs. The experience is enhanced by a babbling mountain stream, a winding trail along the slope, and a pine-scented breeze.
8. Big Almaty Lake
Located just 20 km from the city, in the Zailiysky Alatau mountains, Big Almaty Lake stands out with its striking teal color and surrounding snowy peaks like Sovetov and Turist. Swimming is prohibited as it supplies drinking water to Almaty, and visitors usually hike or picnic here. On calm days, its mirror-like surface reflects the snow-capped mountain peaks. The lake's depth reaches 45 m in summer and 15 m in winter. It warms up to 10-12 degrees Celsius in the warm season.
These sites combine diverse landscapes—from alpine lakes and canyons to mystical sand dunes and mountain plateaus—making the Almaty region a richly scenic destination during the summer months.
- To experience the perfect blend of outdoor-living and home-and-garden scenery, a visit to the Asy Plateau in Kazakhstan offers panoramic views of mountains, wildflower meadows, and traditional yurt stays, showcasing the rustic Kazakh steppe lifestyle.
- For those seeking an adventure in home-and-garden settings with a touch of outdoor-living, Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city, offers the opportunity to explore the picturesque Almaty-Arasan Canyon, featuring pristine mountain river views, picturesque waterfalls, and hot springs.
