The 9 Lunch Tours in Kazakhstan That Earn Their Price

1.Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Tour (lunch included)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 292 reviews · from $57Our pick

Start around 6:00 am for a full day beyond Almaty, visiting Charyn Canyon, Moon Canyon, Black Canyon, Kolsai Lake, and Kaindy Lake. A guide such as Kuanysh, Azamat, Aika, or Luba handles the timing, while lunch, water, park fees, air-conditioned transport, and the bumpy Soviet van ride to Kaindy are included. Expect long drives, walking, and a late return.

“It was really such an awesome experience. Both our guide (Azamat) and driver did justice to their job. Things which could have been better were: 1. Charyn Canyon Tour: We were taken for the tour up over the sideways of canyons. Though I could capture some good frames, it would have been amazing if we were taken through in between the canyons where better pictures could have been clicked. 2. Food: Food was really good, tasty and hygienic. Only con is that, for vegetarians options are not that much. Hope it will get change with time. Other than these two, nothing to be mentioned about. Trip was exactly as mentioned…”

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2.Astana City Tour: Private Full Day with Lunch and Comfort Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · from $149

Spend 6 to 7 hours exploring Astana in a private, air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide such as Zhalgas, Bauyrzhan, or Kadyrbek. Visit Bayterek Tower, major mosques, Khan Shatyr, the National Museum, and more. Lunch is included, and you can add a tasting of Kazakh wines.

“The tour was comprehensive and offered a comfortable experience to someone travelling for the first time to Astana. There were many sights in the city and this tour had allowed me to cover as many places as possible within a short span Read more”

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3.Burabay Oasis Private Tour+ Lunch+ Pickup+ Bonus Activity

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $249

Travel from Astana to Burabay National Park with a private guide such as Madi, Damir, Kadyrbek, or Amir. Hike BolekTau, eat traditional Kazakh food beside a pine forest, then choose a boat ride on Burabay Lake or horseback riding in the forest. Pickup, lunch, and a bonus activity are included.

“I had a marvelous experience. The tour manager engaged with me about many topics while he had hired a driver. We passed steppes and forests until we reached the park. We had an invigorating 20 minute hike up a hill to see fantastic viRead more”

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4.Burabay National Park Tour with Lunch and Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 1 day · from $165

Travel privately from Astana to Burabay National Park with an English or Russian-speaking guide such as Omar, Nura, Abzal, or Zhalgas. Expect a lakeside walk, Bolektau Peak hike, traditional lunch, Abylay Khan Meadow, a natural spring, and either a boat ride or horseback outing. Both activities cost an extra $20 per person.

“It was a very nice trip with Darmen, who was an excellent guide. We saw wonderful places, ate a traditional Kazakh meal and enjoyed a relaxing boat trip on the lake. Don't miss it!”

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5.Astana City Tour: Authentic Private Full Day with Lunch + Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $149

See Astana with a private guide and air-conditioned transport, starting at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral and continuing to Bayterek Tower, the National Museum, Grand Mosque, Khan Shatyr, and more. You’ll get Uzbek lunch, snacks, water, WiFi, and entrance to Bayterek and the museum. Guide Damir has earned special praise for his clear history lessons and family-friendly pace.

“Very good and thorough tour of the capital city. Would definitely recommend the full day as there is so much to see. Our guide Damir was very lovely and knowledgeable about history and places we saw. Children also enjoyed it as it was moving at the right pace for them.”

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6.Astana Unveiled: A City Comfort tour with Lunch and Winetasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $179

Explore Astana by private air-conditioned vehicle with guides such as Timur, Damir, or Nurmerey. Visit the Grand Mosque, National Museum, Ak Orda, Atyrau Bridge, major monuments, and Astana Opera, then add an optional Arba Wine tasting. Lunch, water, WiFi, transport, and entrance fees are included.

“Our guide Nurmerey was good company as he navigated us around Astana and he answered all our questions very thoughtfully. Lunch was included and he helpfully suggested some Kazakh specialties. Two things to note when bookingRead more”

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7.Charyn Canyon Full-Day Trip with Boxed Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 7 reviews · 10 hours · from $50Best value

Travel 200 kilometers from Almaty to Charyn Canyon with a small group of up to 11 people. Walk through the two-kilometer Valley of Castles, hear about its geology, enjoy a boxed lunch, and have time for photos. Guide Assem is noted for her warm service, fluent English, and prompt pickup.

“super good experience! Our guide Assem is a very nice girl, her service is caring and helpful. She is very warm person with quick response. Fluent English speaking. Pick up on time. But what stands out most is the meal!! I didn’t expect a group tour meal should be this high quality. We had lunch in a local farmhouse with farm meat. Simple but super delicious. The food quality there reminds me of how shitty industrial meat are! Three Canyons are all beautiful! I wish we could hike more for the second canyon. This tour is perfect for people who don’t want to have “military trip”. It’s more relaxing.”

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8.Full Day City Tour with Lunch and Museum Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3 reviews · 7 hours · from $185

Spend seven hours exploring Almaty by private car or minibus with a guide in English, German, or Russian. Visit the Central State Museum, Independence Monument, Panfilov Park, Zenkov’s Cathedral, the Musical Instruments Museum, Rakhat chocolate shop, and Green Bazaar. Museum tickets, Kazakh lunch, water, and juice are included.

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9.Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyon Lunch Included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $60

Leave Almaty at 5:00 a.m. for Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Lower Kolsai Lake. You’ll ride a Soviet UAZ-452 to Kaindy, walk about 2 kilometers to the lake, and stop for lunch in Saty village. The day runs about 14 hours, with an English-speaking guide and pickup included.

“Kolsai and Kaindy is the best place to relax View of charyn stunning I like it our guide was cool guy and pro car was so comfortable”

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