Private Minibus with Driver from Almaty to Tamgaly-Tas
Buddhist rock carvings on the cliffs by the Ili River — a relaxed day out of town for friends or family. A private 13-seat Toyota Hiace with a driver who knows the road via Kapchagay and the best turnoffs to the riverbank.
from 70,000 ₸ for the whole Toyota Hiace minibus for the day
Not a scheduled bus or a taxi: the whole minibus for up to 13 people — just your group · a driver with 20+ years of experience
The same terms for every destination — price per vehicle, not per seat
Pickup at your door in Almaty
You choose the address and time: home, office, hotel or airport. No bus station and no meeting the group “at the bus stop”.
The whole minibus — just your group
The 13-seat Toyota Hiace takes no other passengers. One person or 13 — the price is the same; we don’t sell individual seats or tickets. More than 13 people — we’ll find a partner minibus for your date; on short routes two runs in a row also work.
Driver, fuel and road included
Our regular driver with 20+ years of experience, fuel, toll sections and pickup in Almaty are all in the quoted price; you don’t pay extra per passenger. National park entrance fees, ski passes and a local off-road vehicle, if your route needs them, are not included.
Round trip
The round trip is one price. The driver waits for your group on site for as long as you said when booking; if you stay longer, you pay only for the extra hours.
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.
We take groups from Almaty to Tamgaly-Tas: a 13-seat Toyota Hiace with a driver, from 70,000 ₸ for the whole minibus for the day. There is no scheduled transport to the site, so we pick you up at your door and drive you straight to the rocks on the bank of the Ili.
Tamgaly-Tas is a set of “inscribed rocks” on the bank of the Ili River, about 120 km north of Almaty, not far from the Kapchagay Reservoir. Buddhist rock images have survived on the riverside boulders here: figures of Buddha Shakyamuni and the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and Tibetan inscriptions, and next to them petroglyphs from earlier eras. The images are not fenced off or put behind glass: the boulders stand in the open by a wide steppe river, and there are usually few people around.
The road goes via Kapchagay and the turnoff for Bakanas, and the last few kilometers are a dirt road along the river. We take groups here in a Toyota Hiace minibus with a driver, and the driver knows this dirt road: you leave Almaty when it suits you, stop along the way for coffee and photos, and at the site you walk along the river and look at the carvings at your own pace — no rushing, no crowds and no one else’s schedule.
How to get to Tamgaly-Tas from Almaty
The route is straightforward: from Almaty you take the Kapchagay highway and head north through the town of Konaev (formerly Kapchagay). After the bridge and the dam across the Ili River there is a fork for Taldykorgan and Bakanas — here you turn toward Bakanas, and after the exit by the Emergencies Ministry training ground a dirt road along the river leads to the site. It is about 120 km and roughly 2 hours one way in total, a little more with short stops.
The last stretch is a dirt road along the river, so it is better to come in a vehicle with more clearance than an ordinary car and with a driver who knows the road. The Toyota Hiace handles this section with ease, and the driver knows in advance where it is best to park, where to walk down to the rocks and where to set up a picnic right by the water.
What to see: the rock carvings and the Ili River
The main attraction is the Buddhist rock images on large boulders right by the water. The best-known figures are Buddha Shakyamuni and the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara; nearby there are Tibetan inscriptions and older petroglyphs that people carved on these stones over many centuries. Hence the name: Tamgaly-Tas means “stones with signs” in Kazakh.
From the upper rock overhanging the riverbed there is a panorama of the Ili River and the steppe all the way to the horizon — the best spot for photos. Down by the water it is easy to have a picnic, rest in the shade of the boulders and just listen to the river. Many people combine the carvings with a walk in the surrounding hills or time on the riverbank — it makes for a full day out of the city.
When to go to the Ili River
The most pleasant times to go are spring and fall. In April, May, September and October it is already or still warm but not hot, the steppe is green or golden, and there are no summer midges by the river. In summer the days here are exposed and very hot, so it is best to leave Almaty early and get back before the worst of the heat.
In winter both the rocks and the road are accessible in dry weather, but the dirt section can turn to mud after rain or snow. Before every trip we check the forecast and the road conditions — if needed, we change the time or suggest a backup date so the trip goes smoothly and safely.
Tamgaly-Tas: how the trip works
Buddhist carvings on the Ili
Images of the Buddha and a bodhisattva on the riverside rocks, and next to them petroglyphs from far older eras. A rare sight for the region.
A day by the water
The wide Ili River, open space and quiet for a picnic on the bank. Seeing the rocks combines easily with relaxing and taking photos.
No changing vehicles on the way
Pickup at your door in Almaty and drop-off right at the site. No scheduled transport goes there — we go in our own minibus.
Spring and fall are the best seasons
In April–May and September–October it is warm but not hot by the river, and there are no summer midges; in summer we leave early in the morning.
Tamgaly-Tas: trip price
from 70,000 ₸ — for the whole Toyota Hiace minibus for the day
The driver, fuel, toll roads and pickup in Almaty are included. Not included: national park entrance fees, ski passes, a local off-road vehicle, paid parking and pickup outside the city. We quote the total before departure; it only goes up if you decide to extend the waiting time.
This is the price for the minibus, not per seat as on shared group tours: the minibus is only for your group, with no other passengers and no one else’s schedule.
All day 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.”
Real photos — not a manufacturer’s catalog
All photos
- Driver with 20+ years of experience
- Air conditioning and heating
- DVD · TV · MP3
- Soft reclining seats
- Electric door
- Luggage compartment
These photos show our own 13-seat Toyota Hiace with a high roof and a wide aisle between the seats. We took them ourselves: the cabin, seats and luggage compartment of this very vehicle. We have one minibus: this is the one that will come for you, with its own driver at the wheel.
13-seat cabin
Luggage compartment
Read before your trip
Tamgaly-Tas: frequently asked questions
How much does a Tamgaly-Tas day trip from Almaty cost?
From about 70,000 ₸ for the whole Toyota Hiace minibus for the day. The final price depends on the route, the number of hours and any extra stops — we will give you the exact amount for your trip to the rocks on the Ili as soon as you contact us.
How do I get to Tamgaly-Tas, and how long is the drive?
About 120 km north of Almaty via Kapchagay and the turnoff for Bakanas, roughly 2 hours one way. The last stretch is a dirt road and no scheduled transport goes there, so it is easiest to go in your own minibus.
Are these the same petroglyphs as the UNESCO site?
No. Tamgaly-Tas on the Ili River is a site of Buddhist rock images by the water. The UNESCO site with a similar name is Tamgaly (Tanbaly) in the Chu-Ili Mountains — a different place about 170 km from Almaty.
What can you see at Tamgaly-Tas?
Buddhist images of the Buddha and a bodhisattva on the riverside rocks, Tibetan inscriptions and older petroglyphs, plus a panorama of the Ili River from the upper rock. The place is good both for sightseeing and for a picnic on the riverbank.
How many seats are there on the minibus to the rocks?
The cabin has 13 seats, with room left for luggage and picnic baskets for the Ili riverbank. A family or a group of friends travels to the petroglyphs together in one Toyota Hiace with air conditioning and a multimedia system. All 13 can travel light; if everyone has a large suitcase or bulky gear, we take up to 9 passengers — tell us what you are bringing when you book.
When is the best time to visit Tamgaly-Tas and the Ili River?
Spring and fall are the most pleasant, when it is warm but not hot and there are no midges. In summer it is best to leave early in the morning. We work 24/7 and will fit in with whatever departure time suits you.
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.