
Rent motorhomes in Almaty from Rent-Trip: prices, models and routes for travel
A motorhome is not a luxury, but a way to see Kazakhstan without being tied to hotels. At Rent-Trip, we have prepared the Fiat Ducato Motorhome fully equipped for trips to Charyn Canyon or Kolsai.
Prices, deposit and rental conditions for motorhomes
Breaking down the cost of renting a motorhome: from the base rate to additional expenses. Rent-Trip offers transparent terms with no hidden fees.
Base rental price for a motorhome — from 45,000 ₸/day
We rent Fiat Ducato Motorhomes from 45,000 ₸/day — this is the base rate on weekdays without seasonal adjustments. The price includes a full gas tank (enough for 3–4 days of cooking and heating), insurance, and basic equipment: bed linen, dishes, shower kit. On weekends and holidays, the price may be 20–30% higher, so booking on weekdays is more profitable if your schedule allows. Extra charges only apply for mileage over the limit (10 ₸/km) and motorhome washing after return (3,000 ₸). In my opinion, this is a fair scheme — no surprises at checkout.
Deposit and mileage limit: what you need to know
We charge a deposit from 150,000 ₸ and set a daily mileage limit of 200 km — this is standard practice for motorhome rentals. The deposit is blocked on a Kaspi or Halyk card and returned within 24 hours after returning the motorhome if there is no damage. The mileage limit is designed for trips within a 100–150 km radius of the city: a trip to Charyn Canyon (200 km one way) won't fit in a day — you'll have to pay extra for excess mileage. If you're planning long trips (Kolsai, Charyn), check in advance about the possibility of extended mileage — we accommodate requests for bookings of 5 days or more.
Payment methods: Kaspi, Halyk and cash
We accept payment via Kaspi, Halyk Bank, and cash in tenge — choose the convenient option when booking. Kaspi payment is the fastest method: money arrives instantly, and we immediately confirm the booking without waiting. For cash payments, a preliminary deposit of 10% of the rental amount is required to secure the dates. For Halyk transfers, we use a card number — no commission is charged.
Models and equipment: what's inside an Rent-Trip motorhome
We explain how our Fiat Ducato Motorhome is set up: capacity, amenities and options for comfortable trips.
Motorhome capacity — up to 6 people comfortably
Our Fiat Ducato Motorhome accommodates 4–6 people: two double beds and two sleeping spots in the lounge area. The upper bed above the driver's cab is 190×140 cm, suitable for two adults. The lower double bed at the rear is 200×150 cm, accessible from both sides. Two more spots fold out from the dining table and sofa — usually used by children. For a family of 4, this is an ideal option — everyone gets a separate sleeping place, and the living area still has room for games and dinner.
Amenities: toilet, shower, kitchen and heating
Each of our motorhomes is equipped with a toilet, shower, kitchen area with stove and refrigerator, and autonomous heating for winter trips. The toilet is chemical, with a separate waste tank of 20 liters (enough for 3–4 days). The shower runs on a gas water heater — hot water is always available as long as there is gas. The kitchen includes a two-burner gas stove, sink with cold and hot water, a 50-liter refrigerator, and a set of dishes for 6 people. The heating runs on a gas cylinder and maintains +20°C inside even at −15°C outside — tested on routes to Shymbulak in January.
Additional equipment: automatic transmission, child seat
All our motorhomes have automatic transmission, and we provide a child seat free of charge upon request when booking. Automatic is especially important: frequent traffic jams and climbs to Medeu require smooth shifting—with a manual it would be harder. The child seat is group 1–3 (9–36 kg), installed on the rear bench with Isofix or the standard seat belt. When booking, specify the number of seats needed—we have two, in case there are two small passengers on the trip.
Model comparison: what's included in the base package
The table shows the full list of what's included in each Rent-Trip motorhome, so you can compare and choose. All options are already included in the base rate—no extra charges for toilet, shower, or heating.
| Parameter | Fiat Ducato Motorhome |
|---|---|
| Capacity | up to 6 people |
| Sleeping places | 2 double + 2 single |
| Toilet | yes, chemical |
| Shower | yes, with water heating |
| Kitchen | stove, fridge, sink |
| Interior heating | autonomous, gas |
| Transmission | automatic |
| Child seat | free upon request |
Documents and insurance: what you need to rent a motorhome
What documents are needed to rent a motorhome and how insurance works—we answer the main questions.
What documents are needed to rent a motorhome
To rent a motorhome from Rent-Trip, you need: an ID card, a category B driver's license, and at least 2 years of driving experience. The license must be a Kazakhstani or international one—we only accept foreign licenses with a notarized translation. If the license was issued less than 2 years ago, we may consider the rental individually—but with an increased deposit and route restrictions. In October, we had a case: a driver with 1.5 years of experience rented a motorhome for a trip to Kolsai—we agreed but asked for a deposit of 250,000 ₸ and prohibited driving on dirt roads. The client returned the car without issues, and the deposit was fully refunded.
Insurance: what it covers and how it works
Insurance is included in the rental price and covers accidents, theft, and damage—you leave already insured, with no extra payments. The deductible (the amount you pay in the event of an insured incident) is 50,000 ₸. If the damage is less than the deductible, you pay for repairs yourself; if more, insurance covers everything above 50,000 ₸. Please note: insurance does not cover fines from Sergek cameras or undercarriage damage on poor roads—this is important for routes to Kolsai. On dirt roads around the lake, there are sharp stones that can puncture the oil pan guard—in such cases, repairs are at the renter's expense.
Category B license—is it enough for a motorhome
To drive our Fiat Ducato Motorhome, a category B license is sufficient—the motorhome's gross weight is 3,500 kg, which fits within the limit for a passenger car. The motorhome is 6.5 meters long and 2.3 meters wide—slightly larger than a standard SUV, but you get used to it within the first 20 minutes. The only nuance: the rear overhang is longer than a car's, so when parking, account for the tail. On Gogol and Kabanbay Batyr streets, there are parking bays where the motorhome fits without issues—we checked personally.
Routes from Almaty: where to go in a motorhome
We've compiled proven motorhome routes: from day trips to week-long expeditions. All destinations are accessible with our Fiat Ducato Motorhome.
Charyn Canyon: 200 km, 1–2 days
Charyn Canyon is the most popular route among our clients: 200 km from the city along the A-2 highway, asphalt all the way to the entrance. The drive takes 2.5–3 hours one way. The canyon has a equipped parking area with toilets and trash bins — you can camp overnight right at the cliff edge. We recommend leaving in the morning to hike the 'Valley of Castles' (2 km trail) before sunset — in August, the light makes the rocks turn orange. On the way back, stop by the village of Chundzha for kumis and baursaks — locals sell them right by the road.
Lake Kolsai: 300 km, 2–3 days
Kolsai Lakes — 300 km from Almaty, with the last 30 km being a gravel road with large rocks. The drive to the first lake (Kolsai-1) takes 4–5 hours, including snack breaks. There is a campsite on the shore with wooden tables and grills — park your campervan right by the water. Important: on the gravel road, keep your speed under 30 km/h, otherwise rocks may damage the undercarriage — insurance does not cover this. It is colder at Kolsai than in the city, even in summer — the campervan's night heater is a lifesaver. In the morning, we recommend hiking up to Kolsai-2 (4 km uphill) — the water there is turquoise, like in postcards.
Shymbulak and Medeu: 15 km, 1 day
If you don't have time for long trips — Shymbulak is 15 km from the city center. The winding road to Medeu (1700 m) takes 30 minutes, to Shymbulak (2260 m) another 15 minutes. The parking lot at the Medeu skating rink has spaces for campervans — on weekends, come before 10 am, otherwise it's full. In summer, it's +10°C here vs +30°C in the city — ideal for a daytime outing with kids. You can turn on the heater, brew tea, and watch the mountains from the window. In the evening, head down and park near the Botanical Garden — it's quiet and safe.
Travel to Kyrgyzstan: what you need to know
We allow campervan trips to Kyrgyzstan — this opens routes to Lake Issyk-Kul (450 km from Almaty) and Boz-Zhira Gorge. To cross the border, you need: a foreign passport, a category B driver's license, vehicle registration, and a power of attorney from Rent-Trip (issued free upon booking). The Kordai checkpoint takes 30–60 minutes on weekdays, up to 2 hours on weekends. In Kyrgyzstan, gas stations accept tenge at the exchange rate, but we recommend exchanging a small amount into soms for markets and cafes. Note: there are campsites on Issyk-Kul with electrical hookups — convenient for long stays.
Practical questions: parking, gas, fines
We answer common questions about campervan rental: where to park, how to refill gas, and what to do about Sergek fines.
Where to park a campervan
A campervan can be parked in regular parking lots if dimensions allow. Suitable spots include the parking lot at Mega Alma-Ata shopping center (Rozybakiev St., 247) — it has wide spaces marked for large vehicles. Near the Botanical Garden (Timiryazev St.) there is a free lot for 20 cars — quiet at night, you can sleep there. We don't recommend parking in residential courtyards — the campervan may not fit the turn, and residents might call a tow truck. The best option is the campsite at Lake Sayran (south shore): it has toilets, water, and trash bins, and overnight parking is free.
How to refill gas and how long it lasts
The campervan is refilled with propane-butane at regular gas stations — there are dozens in the city. An 11 kg tank fills in 5 minutes, costing 2,500–3,000 ₸. A full tank lasts 3–4 days of active use: cooking twice a day, showers for 4 people, night heating to +15°C. If you plan to cook a lot and heat water daily, we recommend taking a spare tank — we provide it free for bookings of 5 days or more. It's best to refill at Gazprom or Helios stations — they have quality gas without impurities that clog burners.
Sergek fines and who pays them
Fines from Sergek cameras are the renter's responsibility. We provide the driver's data to the administrative police, and the fine comes in your name. Cameras record: speeding (limit 60 km/h in the city), running red lights, and driving into oncoming traffic. In a campervan, it's easy to get a fine for parking on the sidewalk — due to the long rear, a wheel may touch the curb. Our advice: download the Sergek app before your trip — it shows where cameras are located, so you can plan your route without surprises.
Motorhome vs hotel: what's more profitable for a family
We compare costs for a family trip with a campervan versus hotels — using the Almaty — Kolsai — Charyn route over 4 days as an example.
Campervan costs: 4 days, family of 4
Campervan trip with Rent-Trip for 4 days: rental 4 × 45,000 ₸ = 180,000 ₸ (weekdays) or 4 × 58,000 ₸ = 232,000 ₸ (weekends). Mileage: Almaty — Kolsai — Charyn — Almaty = 700 km. Limit 200 km/day × 4 = 800 km — enough, no extra charge. Gas: 2 tanks × 3,000 ₸ = 6,000 ₸. Food: cook yourself on the stove — 15,000 ₸ for 4 days (grains, vegetables, meat, tea). Total: 201,000–238,000 ₸ for the whole family, excluding the deposit (refundable).
Hotel costs: same route
Hotels for 3 nights (Kolsai — 1 night, Charyn — 1 night, Almaty — 1 night): guesthouse at Kolsai — 25,000 ₸/night, cabin at Charyn — 20,000 ₸/night, 3* hotel — 30,000 ₸/night. Total: 25,000 + 20,000 + 30,000 = 75,000 ₸. Meals at cafes: 4 breakfasts × 2,000 ₸ × 4 people = 32,000 ₸, 4 lunches × 3,500 ₸ × 4 people = 56,000 ₸, 3 dinners × 4,000 ₸ × 4 people = 48,000 ₸. Food total: 136,000 ₸. Transfers between locations: taxi/car rental — 25,000 ₸/day × 4 = 100,000 ₸. Hotel total: 75,000 + 136,000 + 100,000 = 311,000 ₸.
Which is cheaper: calculating the difference
A campervan is cheaper than hotels by 73,000–110,000 ₸ for 4 days for a family of 4. Plus of a campervan: you are not tied to cafe and hotel schedules — wake up, have breakfast, go. Minus: you need to empty the toilet and refill gas, but that's 15 minutes every two days. For families with children, a campervan is more convenient — the child sleeps in their own bed instead of moving to a new room each day. In my opinion, for routes in Kazakhstan, a campervan is a more flexible option, especially if you're traveling with a group or children.
Conclusion
Renting a campervan means freedom of movement without booking hotels or searching for cafes. You decide where to stop: at Charyn Canyon at sunset, on the shore of Kolsai, or in the mountains above Medeu. The main thing is to plan your route in advance, check your documents, and calculate your budget. If you're going out for the first time, choose a one-day route to Charyn — it's paved and forgiving of mistakes. For long trips, take a spare gas tank and download the Sergek app. And remember: in a campervan, the main thing is not speed, but the ability to stop wherever you want.