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Walking Almaty
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Walking Almaty

See all things to do
See all things to do
Walking Almaty
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About
Take a fun and affordable tour with Almaty expert and professional guide Dennis Keen. Originally from California, Dennis is the founder of Walking Almaty, an online guide to the urban landscape of Kazakhstan's "southern capital." Walking Almaty now offers sightseeing tours, food tours, and guided walks that will take you off the beaten path destinations, like Almaty's charming Cossack villages or its fascinating Stalinist quarter. Almaty can be confusing at first, but Walking Almaty can show you a side of the city you'll never forget.
Almaty, Kazakhstan
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Walking Almaty
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(46 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
212 reviews
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205
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James E
1 contribution
Brilliant tour, must-do in Almaty
Jul 2022 • Solo
Dennis Keen’s tour was really great and one of the most interesting I’ve been on, anywhere. Dennis is a true expert who knows Almaty and Kazakhstan’s history, culture and language extremely well and is a fun and engaging guide. If I knew of anyone coming to Almaty this would be the first thing I’d recommend they do.
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dave M
Geneva, Switzerland2 contributions
We're Keen on Dennis
Aug 2022 • Friends
Dennis has lived in Almaty for many years, and it shows. Fantastic tour which explains the many highlights of this city. Full of information and top tips for coffee and burgers. Dennis will explain why the paths have deep ditches at their edge, and why the tree trunks are painted white. Top man and a top guide!
Written August 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sophia S
1 contribution
One-of-a-kind, must-do tour of Almaty
Jun 2022
Tours often rehash content that you can find somewhere else. Not this one. It is a truly unique, interesting, and intellectually stimulating tour experience delivered in a friendly and engaging way.

I came to Kazakhstan 7 years ago with a friend, who took Dennis' tour and liked it so much that she remembered it and recommended it to me when I showed up in Almaty this week. I was not disappointed. Despite studying the region extensively in college, I gained a new perspective and insight that will shape the rest of my visit to Almaty. Dennis also followed up after the tour with interesting articles and media clips. Thank you!
Written June 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Renate Gebauer
3 contributions
One of the best walking tours I did
Jun 2022 • Solo
All the reviews are true. I had such a great time at the tour today. Dennis is extremely knowledgeable about everything and it is fun. I learned much about Kazakh history, culture, politics, poets and literature. I see Almaty now with very different eyes. Thank you Dennis
Written June 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DCIII
Calgary, Canada109 contributions
A great introduction to Almaty
Oct 2015 • Solo
If you're looking to see a bit of the city outside of the main sites without the hassle of trying to figure out the Kazakh bus schedules then Dennis is your guy. The urban village tour offeres a fascinating peak into the everyday life of the average Almatian(I'm not entirely sure what the proper term is for someone living in Almaty). Sure, you might be able to go to some of these same places on your own but you'd miss out on the countless hours of research that Dennis has put into all things Almaty. Everywhere you look in this city there are curiosities the you don't see in the west, and Dennis seems to know something about all of them. The icons of Almaty walk was also very good, you'll learn fascinating bits of info from pre-Soviet times right up until today. Knowing when and why a building or square was built makes things so much more interesting, especially when you consider that this region was once ruled by Czars and Bolsheviks.
Written June 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lou332
Almaty, Kazakhstan193 contributions
You must do this tour!
Apr 2018 • Solo
Dennis was super friendly, helpful and knowledgable. Very interesting tour and excellent communication beforehand. Happy to answer random questions and helped with money changing, lunch recommendations and much more. Great way to learn more about the history of Almaty. He really knows his stuff and can chat about the city, architecture, fountains and mosaics in an interesting and engaging way. Highly recommend.
Written April 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WW_Traveller023
Kirrawee, Australia1,790 contributions
Fantastic insight of Almaty with Dennis
Sep 2017 • Couples
Organised 2 tours of Almaty in September with Dennis Keen - The Urban Village and Food Tour.s. We corresponded before we arrived and arranged to meet in Panfilov Park near our Hotel. Right on the dot, Dennis appeared. A delightful young man who firstly showed us with pictures and maps what we would be up to this morning and off we went on a local bus to outlying suburbs where the City actually began. Visited an old Orthodox Church where he knew the priest, along back streets, through markets and old residential buildings back to town and then through the Green market as the second tour (including the Rakhat Chocolate factory/shop for some standard Soviet sweets and chocolates). Dennis is so knowledgeable and the hours sped past as he regaled us with facts and something of his own life as he had recently married a Kazakh girl. We finished with lunch in the Green market. I cannot recommend Dennis' and his tours enough.
Written December 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Chris M
San Francisco, CA11 contributions
Great Informative Tour
Jul 2016 • Solo
I did the Urban Village and enjoyed it so much, I booked the Food Tour for the next day.
Dennis is a great guide and really knows Almaty and the local culture. Both tours were very informal, allowing us to set the agenda where things sparked our interest (as when a local invited us into her house to have tea).
Almaty isn't a town set up for tourism, so it was great to have an experience English teacher as a guide. You can get by on your own, but you'll barely scratch the surface, so why not go with someone who already knows his way around?
I highly recommend arranging to take a tour with Dennis at the beginning of your stay in Almaty as he can quickly help you get your bearings and answer any questions you might have.
Written August 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DennisKeen
Thank you Chris for leaving my 100th review! We got really lucky with your tour, being invited in by Natasha, drinking salty tea and learning about Ingush culture. Every tour is different, that's why I love doing this!
Written August 10, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paul N
Newcastle, Australia253 contributions
Great Walking Tour Guide of Almaty
Aug 2019 • Couples
Dennis is great tour guide for walking Almaty. We did a Malaya Stanitsa tour which is the original Cossack village of Almaty from the 1850’s. We got a local bus there and met lots of locals and saw the Cultural Centre, Orthodox Church, bazaar and local houses and sights. But the best bit was Dennis’s knowledge of the place, the history, the languages and the locals. Thoroughly recommended.
Written August 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ousileng
shanghai86 contributions
Dennis knows Almaty!
May 2019 • Solo
I was very pleased to do 2 walking tours with Dennis in May 2019. The Golden Quarter and Malaya Stanitsa. He is very professional, knowledgable and friendly. I would highly recommend him and his tours. He loves his adopted home and it shows. You may love it too after these tours!
Written May 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Walking Almaty - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)