Altyn Emel National Park 2-daagse jeeptour met kleine groepen

More than just a guided tour. They offered such friendliness and hospitality to us. They are very caring for their guests. They know a great depth of information of the history and stories of the places. They also help and take care of us during climbs and snowy weather. Recommending them to everybody who wants to see Almaty and the culture of Kazakhstan.

Outstanding company. The best tour of the Almaty region. The company is easy to access amd quick to respond on WhatsApp. They are accommodating and flexible. This trip allows you to see lots of the region at a slower pace with the ability to hike. They take the time to try to get you to areas to avoid the crowds. Excellent food provided 3 times per day plus snacks. Great quality local cuisine. Accommodation was clean and functional. Hosts made us feel welcome. Spectacular sites. I can't recommend the company more

Honestly, we were very disappointed and didn't enjoy the trip at all. For starters, we rarely got any explanation as to what we saw or drove by. When the guide did decide to tell us something it was primarily in a mumbled voice and seemed very uninterested in telling us. He would look the other way and at best the person in the front seat would hear it. He came off as arrogant and at times childish while interacting with us.  Several times we just read about stuff on Wikipedia and informed each other instead.  Every other time we arrived at a stop he would say three words and then we could just go ourselves. When booking a guided tour we expect to be guided and learn about the things we experience along the way. This is one of the reasons we chose this tour, to learn about the sights and culture. It was nice not having to drive ourselves but we might as well have done that as the guide didn't add much to the trip.  Whenever the guide was around us in the car and out, he was on his phone. At least 50% of the time he would be talking or texting. Also while driving.  Every time we got in the car we had to ask him where we were going and how long it would be. He never told us on his own. Every time we asked him he seemed to be annoyed by it and it felt uncomfortable to ask him so many times a day because of his reaction.  One of the days the guide also skipped a stop. This was the Black Canyon. He mentioned that we were going to see it after the Moon Canyon but we never did. We had an hour and a half to spare before dinner, so we doubt it was due to time. Even if it had something to do with time, it would have been nice to be given the choice. He didn't even mention it. The evening before our last day he was very excited about the bad weather that was supposed to hit us the last day as this meant he would be home early.  Later that evening at dinner he asked if we wanted to hike to the second lake. We all said that we would like to hike as long as the weather permitted it.  He did not look happy about this.  Then in the morning when we were getting ready to leave for the Kolsai Lake he got surprised when we said we wanted to hike to the second lake. Suddenly, his mood was even worse and he said we had to hurry. We said we wanted to do the hike if it was safe and the weather permitted it.  Honestly, it did not feel safe towards the last third of the trip. Mostly because he kept walking so far ahead or behind that we ended up taking a wrong turn 3 times and thus getting lost. The three of us on the tour decided to stay together so that we could help each other get back safely. None of us felt safe.  He was all about getting pictures all the time.  He seemed more occupied about getting pictures for his SoMe channels than executing the tour itself.  The hotel the second day was beneath criticism. You really need to manage expectation. When people read hotel, they expect that the bed is made when they arive, that they have their own toilet and bath. Non of this was the case and the conditions were more similar to the 10 USD per night hostel we just stayed at in Nur-Sultan. Actually it wasn't as good because the toilet facilities, bath and lock on the door were broken AND the entire place were so dirty. Especially the baths were outright disgusting!  To add to the story, it turned out that we didn't have any toilet paper. I asked the guide to help ask the staff for toilet paper, which he didn't really seemed keen on. However, he shouted something to the staff and assumed they would solve it.  When we went shopping later after dinner he suddenly asked me to pick up some. I thought he just wanted to make sure we hade some - seemed as a good idea.  Later in the evening I realized that the staff still hadn't provided any toilet paper and that no one had taken the ones we bought in from the car. So I went outside to ask the guide if it was still in the car and if he could unlock it so we could get it. He responded by screaming at me: "WHY DIDN'T YOU TAKE THIS EARLIER!?! WHY! HOW OLD ARE YOU?!". I was literally shocked. This came out of nowhere. I responded that I didn't know I had to do that and with my age. I continued to ask him his age - trying to lighten the mood. I got the toilet paper, he mumbled something in Kazakh/Russian I didn't understand and we went our separate ways.  Needless to say, I went to bed in a pretty bad mood. Honestly this ruined the entire day and this is no way to talk to paying guests - or just othe people for that matter.  Furthermore, when you pay 200 USD per day and are promised a hotel room, I think it is very fair to assume that I didn't need to go pick up the toilet paper myself.  There were other episodes as well but these are the main comments of ours. Fair to say that we are very disappointed. After returning from the tour we of course contacted the company with these concerns. At first they we very understanding, with a promise to fix this going forward and compensate us for the bad experience. However, when it got to talk about an actual refund - or partial refund - the company either stopped responding to my emails or we're VERY slow doing it. I kept on pushing for a decent refund - at least 30-40% I my head - which resulted in Annat (the owner I believe) accusing me of trying to blackmail him and directly insulting me. Though the sites are absolutely amazing, my girlfriend and I ended up paying 640 USD (after a 20% refund), just to be insulted by both the guide and the owner of the business. Needless to say, that was NOT worth it.