Highlights
- Explore the Assy Plateau and Issyk Lake on a private day tour from Almaty
- Travel in a 4x4 jeep with an English-speaking guide and hotel pickup
- Discover the vast highland steppe of Assy Plateau at 2,700 meters
- Visit Issyk Lake, a glacial lake framed by pine forests and mountain peaks
- Upgrade to an overnight camping experience with a campfire and stargazing
Description
Begin your private jeep expedition with a pickup from your hotel in Almaty. Head to Assy Plateau, a vast highland steppe stretching across the Tian Shan mountains. Admire the wide open skies, rolling green hills, wildflowers in summer, roaming horses, and complete silence broken only by the wind.
On a clear day, the views stretch for hundreds of kilometers across the mountain range. In the area, you'll also find the Fesenkov Astrophysical Institute, a Soviet-era observatory perched at altitude, a reminder that this plateau is dark enough at night to see the Milky Way in full.
On the way back, stop at Issyk Lake, a glacial lake nestled at the foot of the Tian Shan mountains, surrounded by pine forests and dramatic peaks. The water is a deep, cold turquoise, and the silence of the valley feels completely removed from the city just an hour away.
Issyk has a remarkable history: in 1963, a catastrophic mudflow destroyed much of the original lake, dramatically changing its shape. Today it sits quietly in the mountains, restored, serene, and stunning. Take time to walk the shore, breathe the mountain air, and take in the view before heading back to Almaty.
Includes
Private 4x4 jeep for your group
English-speaking guide throughout
Hotel pickup & drop-off in Almaty
Bottled drinking water
All national park entrance fees
Excludes
Meals and snacks (can be arranged on request)
Overnight camping extension (available as optional add-on)
Gratuities for guide and driver (optional, appreciated)
Important Information
- This is a private tour — your vehicle will not stop to pick up other travelers
Pickup at 9:00 AM from your hotel in Almaty · Return approximately 7:00 PM
Maximum 6 people per group
Dress in layers — Assy Plateau is significantly cooler than Almaty even in summer
Weather on the plateau can change quickly — bring a light jacket and sunscreen
Road to Assy Plateau includes off-road sections — a 4x4 jeep is used throughout
Overnight extension must be requested at least 48 hours before the tour
Easy cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
