Joinme Asia Tours — Attraction in Almaty

We completed a 2 day tour with joinme asia today . As a tourist, I want to write a review that will help other fellow tourists and even the organization perhaps. So cutting short:

Good points about the trip: 1.cheaper than most other operators in Almaty 2.the person on WhatsApp (makhabbat) was very responsive, responding to all my doubts very quickly since the last one month . Various options to select from, that will cater to our places of interest . Like we chose a 2 day trip to kaindy kolsai and Charyn+black+moon canyon .

Cons: 1.the bus driver played very loud music most of the time. All tourists may not have the same taste in music? Some may want to sleep? Can't he use headphones?

The driver smoked inside the closed AC bus. Myself and my elderly mother had to become passive smokers unwillingly .I have pics of him smoking and can provide the same

The windows were very dusty. I guess cleaner windows will give tourists better photographs of the journey. Most pics I clicked from the bus had spots on them .

Daniyal, our guide , was a very sweet polite person , but unfortunately he doesn't understand English enough to communicate at times. Which may be detrimental in case of important informations . And , I'm very interested in photography.....had requested him if I could sit in the first seat all along my journey. He declined it but the seat remained empty all along the trip. I guess there wouldn't hv been much harm had he granted my request .

The stay in saty. We stayed in a house called marlen. And my god! The owners are terrible human beings. Forget being good citizens of their nation. They slam the door shut in case guests want to go to ask for one more serving . We understand that it's a remote place and are more than happy to taste the local cuisine....but at least staples like rice and bread etc should be unlimited no? Or at least refillable at least 2-3 times if one guest isn't full? They gave us hardly a quarter plate of pilaf each for lunch and 5 dumplings for dinner and there was no refill. And there's a way to tell that instead of slamming the door shut! They showed us the CCTV footage of taking away toffees they kept for the guest on the dining table....saying we have taken a lot. Such a humiliation? They can't even afford to give toffees to a guest?that's a kid's thing....toffees. Why do they even keep it then on the table? And last and the worst..... They claimed 10000tenge from us blaming that we've broken a bathroom pipe whereas it was there from before , and we could'nt bathe well due to the break. That too in the middle of our trip to the Charyn.....this ruining our trip to the same. Joinme asia , just an advice....if u feel for ur guests .....please please take actions against the owners of this guest house else they'll ruin the impression of ur nation foreigners have about this beautiful country and it's people

6.on reaching the Charyn Canyon, after deboarding the bus we came to know that the valley of castles was closed for fumigation (?) .wasn't it too late a time to inform guests about that? Who travel from faraway countries and consider the canyon an important part of their trip? Could there not have been a little better communication? Or at least could the time in moon and black canyons not have been increased by 10mins each when it was known that the main trail of Charyn is closed?

And just a small suggestion.....maybe u can give a 2-3 min stop at photogenic places .....like kazakh huts, or typical sceneries of the central Asian grasslands or the trees in autumn....so that people can click pics of ur...

TOUR GUIDE REVIEW:

We had the absolute pleasure of having Arsen as our tour guide, and I can't praise him enough for the incredible experience he provided. Arsen is the epitome of what you'd want in a tour guide - he's not just knowledgeable, but he's also incredibly hands-on and makes the entire journey a whole lot of fun and memorable.

From the moment I met Arsen, it was evident that he was passionate about his job. His enthusiasm for the destination and its history was infectious. He didn't just recite facts and figures; he told stories that brought the places we visited to life. His in-depth knowledge added a layer of depth to every site we explored, making me appreciate the history and culture in a whole new way.

What sets Arsen apart is his hands-on approach. He went above and beyond to ensure that we had an immersive experience. Arsen was always there, making sure we got the most out of our trip and even made sure we’re settled and home. He made the journey feel like an adventure, and I can't thank him enough for that.

But it wasn't just about the knowledge and the activities; it was also about the genuine warmth and friendliness Arsen exuded. He made everyone in the group feel like old friends, fostering a sense of camaraderie that enhanced the overall experience.

Arsen's dedication to his role as a tour guide is truly commendable. He wasn't just doing a job; he was sharing his passion with us, and that made all the difference. I left the tour not just with incredible memories but also with a newfound appreciation for the destination and its people, all thanks to Arsen.

In summary, I can wholeheartedly say that Arsen is an outstanding tour guide. His knowledge, his hands-on approach, and his friendly demeanor make him the ideal companion for any traveler. If you're looking for an unforgettable and enriching journey, Arsen is the guide you want by your side. I can't recommend him enough, and I'm already looking forward to my next adventure with him. Thank you, Arsen, for making this trip truly special!

GUEST HOUSE AND DRIVER REVIEW:

I can't say enough good things about our stay at the guest house. Mama B our host I Saty Village treated us like family, and her homemade food was absolutely delicious. We felt so cared for during our entire stay. Her warmth and hospitality made us feel right at home.

The couple who runs the guest house was incredibly accommodating. They went out of their way to ensure our comfort and happiness throughout our stay. Mama B cooking was a highlight of our trip, and I already miss her delicious meals.

I also want to express our gratitude to our driver. He made sure our long drives, both day and night, were safe and comfortable. Knowing that we were in capable hands while on the road added to our overall peace of mind during the trip.

In summary, our experience at the guest house was exceptional, thanks to Mama B and the couple who run it. Their caring and welcoming nature, along with the scrumptious homemade food, made our stay memorable. And our driver's dedication to our safety was greatly appreciated. We are truly thankful for the wonderful hospitality and service we received during our stay.

COMPANY REVIEW:

Lastly, I'd like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to JoinmeAsia for organizing our short but incredibly memorable stay. The experience was exactly what we needed, and the comfort provided was exceptional. Thank you for making our trip so...

Dear Owner of Joinme

Request you to please take the below feedback seriously and with utmost attention and criticality. I will be seeking an official complaint with local authorities and travel exchange of the Government of Almaty requesting to cancel or warn your license

My name is Sohil Bhargava, and I am writing this review as a warning to every traveler who values their time, money, and sanity — never book anything with JOINME Tours. This was not just a bad experience; it was an outright disaster.

Our nightmare began from the moment we booked the trip. A representative named Natasha handled our booking with such indifference and arrogance, you’d think she was doing us a favor by even picking up the phone. The disrespect and lack of professionalism were shocking from the start.

Our trip commenced on July 17, 2025, with my parents (aged 60 and 57) arriving at the bus station at 5:00 AM. After waiting for 45 minutes, we were told that the bus had met with an accident — no apology, no plan B. A second bus didn’t arrive either, and we were finally herded onto a replacement nearly two hours later.

Enter Aaya, our so-called tour guide — possibly the most immature, incompetent, and disrespectful person I’ve encountered in a professional setting. She spoke almost exclusively in her own language, alienating a large portion of the group, including many non-native travelers. Her English was barely comprehensible, and her attitude was nothing short of dismissive.

The bus was a health hazard: sticky floors, broken seats, and a stench that made the ride unbearable. This was the third replacement vehicle, yet it felt like an abandoned junkyard shuttle. When we complained, Aaya simply poured water on the mess and shrugged it off. The air conditioning was non-functional, and in the peak of summer heat, the bus turned into an oven. We felt trapped, like livestock in a moving cage.

At Kaindy Lake, my elderly parents were denied front seats in the van by Aaya and her assistant, who chose them for themselves without explanation. The ride back dragged on endlessly, and we only reached by 1:30 AM.

To add insult to injury, Aaya attempted to “make it up to us” by offering chocolates. The entire bus burst out laughing at the absurdity. It was beyond offensive.

I am demanding a full refund and will escalate this to the Indian Embassy in Almaty, as well as post this review across every possible platform. JOINME is not just unprofessional — it is a disgrace to the tourism...