Where to Take Kids from Almaty: 10 Places for a Day Trip

Very close: 10 kilometers from the center

Two places that need neither an early start nor a whole day. Both are in the city, the drive takes 20–30 minutes with traffic, and at both a child has plenty to do without long walks.

• Botanical Garden: about 10 km, 20–30 minutes away. Fine for any age: the paths are flat and stroller-friendly, with shade and ponds. Allow 2–3 hours. Minibus trip: from 30,000 ₸.
• Kok-Tobe: about 10 km, 20–30 minutes. The Ferris wheel, mini zoo and rides are most fun from about age three, while even babies in arms enjoy the cable car. 2–3 hours is enough for the park and the ride up. From 30,000 ₸.

Half an hour from the city: 14–15 kilometers

For when you want nature and a barbecue rather than a park, but without a long drive. Kids handle this kind of trip easily: half an hour in the car is less than a trip across town at rush hour sometimes takes.

• The Nasha Dacha recreation area in Karagaily: about 14 km, half an hour. The Kargalinka River, covered barbecue areas, a seasonal pool. Easy with little ones: everything is a few steps from where you get out. Half a day or a full day. From 30,000 ₸.
• Medeu: about 15 km, half an hour. The skating rink itself is closed for reconstruction until about 2027, but the valley and the views of the gorge are still there. Kids can usually manage the 842-step staircase up the dam from about age seven; with younger ones, just walk around at the bottom. 3–4 hours. From 30,000 ₸.

An hour into the mountains: 22–35 kilometers

This is where real nature begins: gorges, spruce forest, mountain rivers. The drive takes 40–60 minutes, and this is already a half-day or full-day trip. For the youngest, choose places with developed grounds; for school-age kids, places with trails.

• The Ayusay visitor center in Medvezhye (Bear) Gorge: about 22 km, 40 minutes. The trail to the waterfall takes around 40 minutes each way, which suits kids from about six; with little ones, stick to the lower, developed area. Half a day. From 50,000 ₸.
• Oi-Qaragai, also known as “Lesnaya Skazka” (Forest Fairy Tale): about 25 km, 40–60 minutes. Spruce forest, chalets, gentle slopes and equipment rental in winter. The resort was built for families from the start, so it suits any age. A full day or half a day. From 50,000 ₸.
• Country Village in Aksay Gorge: about 35 km, 50 minutes. An outdoor pool, horseback riding, a restaurant. A good choice when you have several kids of different ages. A full day. From 25,000 ₸.

For a full day: 25 to 90 kilometers

Three places worth leaving early for and coming back by evening. The drive takes 40 minutes to an hour and a half, but there is more to see. These trips are doable with very young children too; just allow time for a nap on the way and a stop en route.

Besides these three, families often go to the Birch Grove, fifteen kilometers from the city, and to the 8 Lakes resort near the village of Kamenskoe Plato in Talgar District.

• Pervomayskie Ponds: about 25 km, 40–60 minutes. Water, boats, fishing, gazebos. Small children need constant supervision near the water, but nobody gets bored. A full day. From 20,000 ₸.
• Lake Issyk: about 70 km, an hour and a half. A mountain lake at about 1,750 meters, with gazebos and picnic spots right by the water; entry by ticket. Fine for any age, but bring warm clothes: it is cooler in the mountains than in the city. A full day. From 70,000 ₸.
• Turgen waterfalls: about 90 km, an hour and a half. The farthest spot on the list: trails to the waterfalls, conifer forest and a trout farm where you can feed the fish and then taste them right there. Trails from about age seven. A full day. From 70,000 ₸.

Why a private vehicle with a driver is easier with kids

First, you travel at your own pace. A child gets carsick, someone needs the restroom or just a drink: the driver stops wherever you need. You head back when everyone has really had enough, and you don’t have to look for a ride to the city in the evening.

Second, the stuff. A stroller, a cooler bag, a blanket, a grill, a change of clothes for everyone: it all fits in the Hiace’s luggage compartment, and nobody has to hold a backpack on their lap. Third, the adults ride together with the kids, and nobody spends their day off driving mountain switchbacks.

The 13-seat cabin fits two or three families with kids, and the cost of the trip is easy to split between them.

• Stops wherever your child needs one.
• The stroller, bags and picnic gear ride in the luggage area.
• All the adults in one cabin, nobody at the wheel.
• The driver waits and takes you back.
• One vehicle for two or three families with kids.

Child seats, strollers and luggage

We provide a child car seat or booster free of charge on request: let us know in advance and tell us the child’s age so the seat fits. Many people bring their own familiar seat, and that is often the best option: the child is already used to falling asleep in it, and there is room for it in the luggage area.

A stroller fits easily, but think about where you’ll be. In the Botanical Garden and at developed resorts it works fine, but on gorge trails a stroller is useless; a baby carrier backpack is what you need there. Tell us in advance how many people are going and how many of them are children: that determines how to seat the group and how much room is left for bags.

A school class or club works a little differently: an accompanying adult travels with the children, and the 13 passenger seats include the adults: with one accompanying adult, that leaves up to 12 seats for children. Schools can be invoiced under a contract; see the page on school transport for details.

• A child seat or booster: free, on request when you book.
• You can bring your own seat; there is room for it.
• The stroller rides in the luggage compartment, but it won’t be much use on mountain trails.
• Tell us the number of children in advance: it affects seating and luggage.

When to leave, what to bring and where to eat

In summer, leave for the farther spots at 7–8 a.m. and for the nearer ones by 9–10 a.m.: that way you avoid the heat and city traffic, and the kids travel while it’s still cool. In winter there is no rush, but with little ones it is better to be back before dark. A drive of an hour to an hour and a half usually coincides with the daytime nap, and that works in your favor.

Food and restrooms are easiest at the city spots and developed resorts (Kok-Tobe, Medeu, the resorts, recreation areas): they have cafés and proper restrooms. In the gorges, expect the bare minimum: bring water, snacks, wet wipes and a trash bag. Sun hats and sunscreen in summer, a warm sweater for the mountains in any season and a basic first-aid kit will also come in handy.

If you want your own day of several stops rather than one place (the garden, lunch, a viewpoint), it is easier to book an hourly minibus rental: from 10,000 ₸ per hour with a three-hour minimum, and you build the route yourself as the day goes.

• In summer, leave at 7–8 a.m. for the farther spots and by 10 a.m. for the nearer ones.
• Cafés and restrooms at city spots and resorts; in the gorges, the bare minimum.
• Water, snacks, wipes, sun hats, sunscreen and a warm sweater for the mountains.
• With small children, it is less stressful to get back before dark.
• Hourly rental: from 10,000 ₸ per hour, 3-hour minimum.