2 Day tour Charyn Canyon Kolsay and Kaindy lakes
Accommodation, guides, transport included. 15% deposit, balance 7 days before tour starting date.
2 Day tour Charyn Canyon Kolsay and Kaindy lakes Highlights
This 2-day private tour from Almaty takes you to three of Kazakhstan's best-known natural wonders. First explore Charyn Canyon, carved over millennia by the Charyn River into a landscape that seems to belong to another world, on an easy walk along the canyon floor. In the afternoon, see the surreal sunken forest and crystal-clear water of Kaindy Lake, then spend the night at a guesthouse in Saty village with dinner, a sauna and a campfire.
On the second day, visit the alpine Kolsai Lakes in the Tien Shan mountains, where you can walk along the shore, go out on a boat or catamaran, or hike back to the village. On the way back to Almaty, stop at the Black Canyon viewpoint and, if you like, enjoy famous shashlik for dinner in Baiseit village – a relaxed mix of breathtaking scenery and quiet moments by the lakes.
Difficulty: Easy Two long driving days with about 7 and 5 hours of travel (about 330 km on day 1 and about 310 km on day 2). Easy walks: about 4 km on the flat floor of Charyn Canyon (suitable for beginners) and about 3 km uphill to Kaindy Lake (around 2,000 m), which can also be done on horseback; walking or boating at Kolsai Lake. Comfortable walking shoes are enough.
Tour Itinerary
Depart from Almaty in the morning and drive to the spectacular Charyn Canyon (approximately 196 km / 3 hours), one of Kazakhstan’s most remarkable natural landmarks. Enjoy a scenic walk through the canyon, admiring its dramatic rock formations shaped by wind and water over millions of years. The walking route is approximately 4 km round trip and suitable for beginners. Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by the canyon’s breathtaking scenery before continuing to Saty village (approximately 100 km / 1.5 hours), a charming mountain settlement and gateway to the Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes. Continue to Kaindy Lake (approximately 15 km / 40 minutes), famous for its turquoise waters and the haunting sight of submerged spruce tree trunks rising from the lake. Explore this extraordinary alpine landscape on foot and enjoy the peaceful mountain surroundings. Improved road access allows regular tourist vehicles to reach the lake area without a separate 4WD transfer. In the evening, return to Saty village and check in at a local guesthouse. Enjoy dinner and unwind with an optional sauna session or a relaxing evening around the campfire.
Charyn Canyon, Lake Kaindy, Saty
- Almaty → Charyn Canyon (196 km)
- Charyn Canyon → Saty (100 km)
- Saty → Lake Kaindy (15 km)
- Lake Kaindy → Saty (15 km)
Overnight: Saty (Guesthouse)
Meals: Lunch (Picnic), Dinner
After breakfast, depart for Kolsai Lake, one of Kazakhstan’s most beautiful alpine lakes, nestled among the forested slopes of the northern Tien Shan Mountains. Enjoy free time to admire the stunning scenery, take a leisurely walk along the lakeshore, go hiking, or enjoy an optional boat or catamaran ride, weather permitting. Return to Saty village for lunch before beginning the journey back to Almaty. Along the way, stop at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking Black Canyon, where the Charyn River has carved a dramatic gorge through the rugged landscape. Continue towards Almaty, with an optional stop in Baiseit village for dinner at a local café, famous for freshly prepared shashlik and traditional dishes. Dinner is at your own expense. Alternatively, return directly to Almaty and enjoy dinner independently.
Kolsai Lakes, Black Canyon viewpoint
- Saty → Kolsai Lakes (15 km)
- Kolsai Lakes → Almaty (293 km)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Download the itinerary
Tour Price
Private Tour Price
| Price per person Group Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 traveler | $1,070 |
| 2–3 travelers | $593 |
| 4–5 travelers | $432 |
| 6–7 travelers | $340 |
| 8–9 travelers | $317 |
| 10 travelers | $282 |
Share this tour privately
Travelling alone or as a couple? Join other travellers who want to take this tour privately, or post your own request. The private price per person drops as the group grows.
No open requests for this tour yet. Post the first one and we'll show it here and on the group requests page.
What's included
Included
- - 1 night accommodation with full-board meals at a guesthouse in Kolsai Lakes National Park
- - Meals: breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner
- - English-speaking guide services
- - Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
- - Ecological fees
- - Daily mineral water (0.5 L per person)
- - Transportation
Not included
- - Accommodation in Almaty
- - Optional taxi during the Charyn Canyon walk
- - Personal expenses
Nargiza is the office manager of Central Asia Guide and mostly responsible for multi country "Stan" tours.
Where you'll stay
-
Night 1
Saty
Guesthouse in Saty or similar
Transport
The tour uses private air-conditioned transport with a driver; the vehicle depends on the size of your group:
- 2 people: sedan (up to 3 seats)
- 3–7 people: minivan (up to 10 seats)
- 8–14 people: minibus (up to 18 seats)
- 15 people or more: coach (up to 48 seats)
Kazakhstan travel information
Practical essentials for travelling in Kazakhstan. Open a topic to read more.
Visa policy
Find your country from the list and check possible visa requirements for Kazakhstan before booking.
The official currency is the tenge (KZT), and Kazakhstan has the most advanced banking system in the region.
ATMs and exchange
ATMs are widespread in the major cities, in banks, hotels and shopping centres, but most dispense only tenge. Every city has exchange offices for US dollars, euros, roubles, pounds, Chinese yuan and Kyrgyz som, and changing dollars or euros into tenge is easy at banks and exchange offices.
Paying by card
International cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants and large supermarkets. Smaller shops usually take cash only and often have little change, so carry smaller notes.
The security situation is stable, but it can change. A few precautions go a long way.
Documents
Always carry original identification such as your passport, as police patrols may ask for it. When approached by a police officer, driver or official, ask to see their identification.
Crime and scams
- Petty crime such as pickpocketing, bag theft and car break-ins is common. Keep valuables out of sight and be vigilant, especially at night.
- Never leave food or drinks unattended or with strangers.
- Be careful of online scams.
- Stay away from demonstrations and political gatherings, and leave the area if there is unrest nearby.
Getting around
- Avoid walking alone and arrange transport in advance. Do not use unofficial taxis.
- On trains, keep your passport and travel documents safe and lock the compartment, especially on night trains.
- Roads are well maintained in and around the major cities, but rural roads may be in poor condition.
Laws and customs
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is banned near schools, playgrounds and medical facilities, in public places such as museums, public transport, airports, stations and underpasses, and in cars carrying children.
- Possessing or using illegal drugs can lead to a long prison sentence.
- Photography is restricted near military sites, border areas, airports and some official buildings. Avoid sharing images that could be seen as disrespectful to religion, culture or national symbols.
- Same-sex relationships are not illegal, but tolerance varies, especially outside the major cities.
Kazakhstan's visa rules depend on your passport. Check whether you need a visa for your visit.
Passport
If you enter visa-free, your passport only needs to be valid for the length of your stay. With a visa, it must be valid for six months beyond the end of your stay.
Visas and registration
For a tourist visa from an embassy or an electronic visa, you first need a letter of invitation (LOI). You may need to register after arriving in the country.
The best times to visit Kazakhstan are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November), avoiding the hot summers and snowy winters.
Summer and winter
Kazakhstan has a harsh continental climate, at its most extreme in the central steppe and around the capital, Astana. Temperatures can rise above 40°C in June to August and drop to −20°C in December to February.
Before you travel, make sure the places you are going can provide any medical help you might need, and that your travel insurance covers treatment and unexpected medical evacuation.
Medical care
Medical staff often speak little English.
Medicines
Non-prescription medicines are easy to buy. For prescription medicines you need a prescription from a local doctor, or a foreign prescription translated into Kazakh or Russian.
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