Chundzha Hot Springs Trip from Almaty by Private Minibus
To the Chundzha hot springs with your own group: a Toyota Hiace with a driver and a warm cabin, up to 13 passengers. We pick you up in Almaty and take you to the resort of your choice, and fit the date and the return trip to your plans.
from 140,000 ₸ for the whole Toyota Hiace minibus, round trip
Pickup at your address · passenger insurance · available 24/7
Our drivers don’t speak English. Phone calls are in Russian or Kazakh, so WhatsApp works best: write in English and we’ll reply using a translator. Need an interpreter? We can arrange one for an extra fee, agreed in advance.
How the trip works
Pickup at your door in Almaty
You choose the address and time: home, office, hotel or airport. When you book, we name the vehicle and give you the driver’s phone number; the driver arrives early and helps with the luggage.
The minibus is yours
The 13-seat Toyota Hiace travels with your group only. The price is for the vehicle, so the bigger the group, the less each person pays. If there are more than 13 of you, you can book a second minibus, or we do two runs in a row on a short route.
Driver, fuel and road included
The driver’s service, fuel, toll sections and pickup in Almaty are all in the quoted price. Paid separately, if your route needs them: national park entrance fees, ski passes, a local off-road vehicle, paid parking and pickup outside the city.
Round trip
The price covers the drive there and back. If you stay for several days, the driver waits on site or comes back for you on your departure date. We’ll price that option for your dates.
Luggage: 13 traveling light, up to 9 with suitcases
Bags and gear go in a separate compartment. If everyone has a large suitcase or a stroller, we take up to 9 people; with skis and snowboards, 9–10. Tell us what you’re bringing when you book.
Payment: cash, Kaspi or invoice
Trips in the city and nearby are paid after the trip. Long intercity trips and trips of several days need a partial prepayment to hold the date, the rest before departure. Companies get an invoice, a contract and closing documents.
A group trip to the Chundzha hot springs costs from 140,000 ₸ per minibus, round trip. We pick you up at one convenient spot in Almaty in a 13-seat Toyota Hiace with a driver and drive you right to the gates of the resort you’ve chosen.
In fall and winter, people go to the springs for the warm pools and a break out of town. You choose the resort: check its pool hours in advance, and its accommodation if you plan to stay overnight. We price the transport to its address, the waiting time and the return to Almaty.
The drive takes about 4 hours one way. In a Toyota Hiace with a driver, your group travels together and stops wherever suits you. In cold weather we allow extra time for the weather and road conditions. If you’re organizing a corporate outing, tell us the number of people, the date and the return time. We’ll arrange the trip and the paperwork for your company.
How to get to Chundzha from Almaty
The route heads east from Almaty, through Shelek and the Kokpek Gorge, then across the bridge over the Charyn River and on into Uighur District, where the village of Chundzha (Shonzhy) lies. The distance is about 250 km, roughly 4 hours with short stops. There are cafés and gas stations along the way where you can take a break and grab a bite; the driver knows reliable places.
Conveniently, Charyn Canyon is almost on the way, and a minibus day trip to Charyn is also a separate destination on our site. Many people combine the two: first they stop at the canyon to walk through the Valley of Castles, and in the evening they warm up in the Chundzha hot springs. If you’d like that route, tell us in advance; we’ll plan the day with the detour and time it so you can do everything without rushing.
Day trip or overnight: what to decide before you go
For a day trip, tell us the resort and when you want to arrive and head back. If you’re staying overnight, give us both dates: the price depends on the number of days and whether the minibus needs to wait on site. Rates for our other trips are on the prices page.
People usually bathe at the resorts: they have thermal-water pools (outdoor and indoor, at different temperatures) plus changing rooms, cafés and places to relax. Many resorts offer accommodation, so you can come for the day or stay overnight; in winter it’s one of the warmest weekend getaways from Almaty.
Minibus or marshrutka to Chundzha
Your own minibus takes your group from a spot in Almaty that suits you straight to the resort you’ve chosen. We build the departure time, stops and waiting time into the trip plan in advance: you know when you’re leaving for the springs and when you’re heading home.
The driver takes you back too, so after the hot pools no one has to get behind the wheel.
Chundzha: how the trip works
Leave any time
At dawn or late in the evening: we fit around your group and the pool hours.
A warm cabin in winter
The heater and climate control run the whole way: people go to the springs in the cold months, and the cabin stays warm from Almaty all the way to the resort.
For groups or families
Up to 13 seats: convenient for a family with children or a group of friends. Everyone rides together in one minibus and comes back together too.
Bags and gear
Bags, a change of clothes, towels, picnic food: the roomy luggage compartment takes everything you need for a day at the resort.
Chundzha: trip price
from 140,000 ₸ — for the whole Toyota Hiace minibus, round trip
The driver and fuel are included. We quote the total before departure; it only goes up if you decide to extend the waiting time.
All intercity trips from Almaty →Customer reviews on 2GIS
“Efficient and fast — a clean bus with a driver arrived on time.”
“Excellent — they provided a minibus with a driver very quickly.”
Toyota Hiace: cabin and luggage
All photos
- 13 passenger seats
- Air conditioning and heating
- High roof
- Soft reclining seats
- Electric door
- Luggage compartment
These photos show a 13-seat Toyota Hiace with a high roof and a wide aisle between the seats. We took them ourselves: the cabin, the seats and the luggage compartment.
13-seat cabin
Luggage compartment
Almaty to Chundzha: a private minibus instead of a scheduled bus
Your group travels in our minibus with a driver, from your door to the destination. Distance: ~250 km; drive time: ~4 hours.
Your own AlaGo minibus
- from 140,000 ₸ for the whole minibus with a driver.
- Leave when it suits you, even at 5 a.m.
- We pick you up at your door and drive you to the address you need.
- Luggage, strollers and gear ride in a separate compartment.
Why a scheduled bus is less convenient
- It leaves only on a timetable.
- You have to get to the departure point and from the arrival point on your own, with your bags.
- Luggage goes in a shared hold, and oversized bags and gear usually cost extra.
- You get off at a bus station or the last stop.
Tell us the date and how many of you are traveling. We’ll quote the trip and tell you right away whether the minibus is free; WhatsApp or a phone call is quickest.
Where else we drive from Almaty
Chundzha: frequently asked questions
How much is a trip to the Chundzha hot springs from Almaty?
From 140,000 ₸ for the whole Toyota Hiace minibus, round trip (one way, from 70,000 ₸). Tell us the resort, the dates and whether the minibus should wait on site. We’ll give you the exact price right away, by phone or on WhatsApp.
How long is the drive to Chundzha?
About 4 hours one way (roughly 250 km), with short stops for rest and fuel. In winter, on icy roads, it can take a bit longer; the driver allows extra time.
How many people can go to the springs in one minibus?
The Hiace has 13 passenger seats. A full group can travel light; if everyone has a large suitcase, we take up to 9 passengers.
What should I send to get a quote for Chundzha?
Send us the date, the name or address of the resort, the number of passengers and your luggage. Say whether you need to come back the same day or are staying overnight. With these details we’ll tell you right away whether the date is free and what the whole minibus costs; pool and accommodation details are with the resort you’ve chosen.
Can we stop at Charyn Canyon on the way?
Yes, Charyn Canyon is almost on the way to Chundzha, and this route is very popular. You can walk the canyon during the day and warm up in the springs in the evening. Let us know in advance; we’ll plan the day with the stop and work out the timing.
When is the best time to go, and can we stay overnight?
Peak season at the springs is winter and the shoulder seasons, when bathing in hot water in the cold is most enjoyable. You can go for the day or stay overnight: the resorts have rooms. Tell us which option suits you, and we’ll plan the departure and return around it.
Tell us where and when
We’ll bring a Toyota Hiace minibus with a driver to any address in Almaty at the time you need. Available 24/7.
Our drivers don’t speak English. Phone calls are in Russian or Kazakh, so WhatsApp works best: write in English and we’ll reply using a translator. Need an interpreter? We can arrange one for an extra fee, agreed in advance.