Top Routes from Almaty by Rental Car

How to plan a road trip from Almaty in a rental car

The most common mistake on an out-of-town trip is choosing a car by its daily rate alone. Mountain hairpins, a dirt track after rain and 400 km of highway ask for different things: sometimes ground clearance matters, sometimes all-wheel drive, sometimes an economical engine and comfortable seats. So start with the route and then pick the car class to match it.

Count the kilometres in advance

The rate includes up to 200 km of mileage per day; beyond the limit each extra kilometre is charged at the rate set in the contract. Turgen and Big Almaty Lake fit comfortably within the limit, while Charyn and Kolsai do not: the round trip runs to several hundred kilometres. Tell us your route when you book and we will calculate the extra charge in advance, so there are no surprises when you return the car.

What to check before heading into the mountains

A short checklist we go through when handing over the keys:

• A full tank. Fuel stations are scarce in mountain villages, so fill up in Almaty or on the highway.
• Oil and coolant. At handover we show you where everything is — useful on a long climb.
• Spare wheel and jack: dirt sections and stones on the roadside are common in the mountains.
• Money for entry. Ile-Alatau, Charyn and Kolsai national parks charge an environmental fee at the gate.
• Offline maps. Mobile coverage drops out in the gorges, and a navigator without a downloaded map is useless.
• Warm clothes. The mountains are colder than the city even in summer, and the weather can change within an hour.

Big Almaty Lake in a rental car

The closest of the mountain trips: the lake lies in the Big Almaty Gorge at about 2,500 metres, roughly 30 km from the city centre. The water shifts from turquoise to emerald depending on the season and the light, surrounded by the peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau. It is the perfect half-day route if you have just landed and want to see the mountains straight away.

Road and restrictions

The road climbs along the Bolshaya Almatinka river; its upper part is a steep series of hairpins with narrow spots and unpaved sections. Access is through a checkpoint of Ile-Alatau National Park. The lake supplies the city with drinking water, so swimming is not allowed, and access to the shore has changed in recent years — check the current rules before you go.

Which car to rent for Big Almaty Lake

A crossover is the best choice: clearance helps on rough patches and extra power helps on the climb. SUVs and crossovers at Rent-Trip start from 22,000 ₸ per day. On the way down, don't ride the brake pedal: use a low gear or the gearbox's manual mode so the pads don't overheat. In dry weather a sedan will make it too, but you will have to drive slower and more carefully.

Charyn Canyon from Almaty: the route by car

Charyn Canyon is about 200 km east of the city, a 3–3.5 hour drive. The main spot is the Valley of Castles: red rock walls weathered into strange shapes and a trail down to the Charyn River. The canyon is part of a national park, entry is paid, and there is a car park at the Valley of Castles.

Road and driving time

Most of the way is paved highway; the turn-off to the canyon and the road to the car park are narrower — slow down. The round trip is over 400 km and about 7 hours behind the wheel, so a day trip makes for a long day. It is easier to rent the car for two days and combine Charyn with the Kolsai Lakes. In summer the canyon is hot with little shade: bring water and a hat.

Which car to rent for Charyn

For Charyn alone you do not need all-wheel drive — a comfortable sedan with an economical engine is enough: comfort class cars start from 15,990 ₸ per day. If you are travelling as a group, look at the seven-seat Mitsubishi Outlander 2016 from 27,990 ₸ per day, or minivans from 46,990 ₸.

Kolsai Lakes from Almaty by car

Kolsai is a chain of three mountain lakes in spruce forest near the border with Kyrgyzstan, about 300 km from Almaty. The base is the village of Saty, with guesthouses and places to stay overnight. You can drive to the lower lake; a hiking trail leads to the upper ones. Nearby is Lake Kaindy with its sunken spruce forest: the tree trunks rise straight out of the water.

Road and driving time

Allow 5–6 hours each way. After leaving the highway the road runs through passes and villages, with dirt sections that turn to mud after rain. The road to Kaindy is a dirt track with fords; many people leave their car and continue with local drivers. This route needs at least two days, and three is better.

Which car to rent for Kolsai

Here all-wheel drive is not a luxury but a necessity. The most affordable option is the Lada Niva from 25,990 ₸ per day; for a family the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is more comfortable — from 29,990 ₸ for the five-seat 90 series, or 36,990 ₸ for the seven-seat 120 series. The deposit for SUV class cars is 100,000 ₸. Mileage over 2–3 days will exceed the limit — we calculate the extra charge when you book.

Turgen Gorge from Almaty by car

Turgen is about 70 km east of Almaty, a 1–1.5 hour drive. People love the gorge for its waterfalls (the best known is Bear Falls), trout farms and riverside holiday bases. It is a great option for a single day: the mileage fits within the daily limit, and on the way you can stop at the waterfalls and have lunch by the river.

Which car to rent for Turgen

In dry weather even sedans reach the waterfalls and bases in the lower part of the gorge — just take it easy on the dirt sections. Economy class starts from 12,990 ₸ per day, with a 50,000 ₸ deposit. Higher up, on the Assy Plateau, the road turns into real off-road driving: be sure to discuss this route with the manager before booking, as insurance does not cover suspension damage off-road. If the trip is approved, you will need an all-wheel-drive SUV such as the Toyota RAV4 2016 from 29,990 ₸ per day.

Road trips from Almaty compared: distances and choice of car

Times are approximate and exclude stops: a lot depends on traffic leaving the city, the weather and road conditions in season.

Car rental terms for trips from Almaty

You can drive Rent-Trip cars out of the city without extra approval; trips abroad are possible only by prior arrangement. To rent you need an ID card and a category B driving licence; the minimum age is 21, with at least 2 years of driving experience. All requirements are collected on the rental terms page.

The deposit depends on the car class: 50,000 ₸ for economy and comfort, 100,000 ₸ for business, SUVs, minivans and commercial vehicles, 150,000 ₸ for premium and 200,000 ₸ for unique models. It is returned within 1–3 business days after the car is handed back without damage or fines. The rate includes up to 200 km of mileage per day; beyond the limit each kilometre is charged extra at the rate set in the contract.

The price includes CASCO cover and compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (OGPO VTS, often still called OSAGO). However, damage caused by the renter — for example a punctured oil pan or broken suspension off-road — is repaired at the client's expense, so it is best to discuss a mountain route before pickup. If you are flying in and heading straight to the mountains, pick up the car at Almaty Airport (ALA). Cars for long trips are in the travel and intercity sections.

FAQ: road trips from Almaty by car

Can you do Charyn and back in one day?

Yes, but it is over 400 km and about 7 hours of driving, not counting walks. On a one-day rental everything over 200 km is charged per kilometre, so many people take the car for two days: the drive is more relaxed, and the manager calculates the mileage charge in advance.

Do you need all-wheel drive for the Kolsai Lakes?

In dry weather crossovers reach Saty and the lower lake, but after rain the dirt sections turn to mud, and the road to Kaindy means fords and ruts. We recommend an all-wheel-drive SUV so you don't depend on the weather.

What is the deposit for an SUV for a mountain trip?

For SUV class cars it is 100,000 ₸, for premium 150,000 ₸. The deposit is returned within 1–3 business days after the car is handed back without damage or fines.

Can I pick up the car at the airport and go straight to the mountains?

Yes. We deliver cars to Almaty International Airport — send us your flight number and route, and we will prepare the car for your road.