Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour
Description
Welcome to Kazakhstan! Experience five breathtaking natural wonders in one unforgettable day from Almaty. Start at iconic Charyn Canyon — towering red rock walls carved over millions of years, often called the little brother of the Grand Canyon. Continue to the mysterious Black Canyon with its dark volcanic cliffs, and the surreal Moon Canyon — pale formations that look like a lunar landscape. Then hop aboard a legendary Soviet UAZ-452 off-road van for an adventurous ride to Kaindy Lake — a submerged forest where spruce trees rise from crystal-clear turquoise water. End the day at peaceful Kolsai Lake, surrounded by pine forests and mountain peaks. In between, enjoy a homemade lunch at a local family's home in Saty village — real Kazakh hospitality our guests call the highlight of the day. Private Tour: Same epic route for your group only — flexible pace, personalized attention, no strangers. English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup from 5 AM. All entrance fees included.
Tour Options
Itinerary
05:00 Pick-up and departure from Almaty 07:00 Shortstop for coffee/WC 8:30Arrival at Charyn Canyon "Valley of the Castles", visiting several spots, walking along canyon 10:00 Departure from Charyn Canyon
Moon Canyon is a unique, pale colored section of Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan, known for its smooth, moon like landscapes that contrast with the canyon’s red cliffs.
Black Canyon, viewing spot, photographing
12:00 Arrival at Saty village, transfer to Kaindy Lake In Kaiyndy lake car goes until parking point. From parking until the lake 2km of walk. You can use horses or taxi insead of walking. 14:30 transfer to saty 14:30 Lunch in the guesthouse
16:00 Transfer to the Lower Kolsai Lake from Saty 17:00 Leaving Kolsai Lakes National Park 20:30 Shortstop for coffee/WC 22:00 Drop-off in Almaty
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will send you all information of pick up and transport the day before the tour. We will pick-up you from your hotel with our mini bus or send you taxi. You will come to nearest hotel. PICK UP STARTS AT 5AM
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not allowed for travelers who can not withstand long trips by car, long walks and hikes
- Not allowed for travelers with disabilities, injuries, diseases that limit physical abilities
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- Not recommended for children under 6
Reviews(972)
Great trip. The guide, Saida, was outstanding - she communicated clearly and always in a friendly and inclusive manner. A long day, that neither dragged nor disappointed. Comfortable minibus transport, frequent stops and lots to see. A good mixture of driving and exercise. Charyn Canyon is a must for travellers to the area! Thank you Saida and Kazakhstan Very Nice company
We had a wonderful tour and are so glad we chose Kazakhstan Very Nice. Our guide, Ayau, was incredibly knowledgeable and happy to answer all our questions about the tour, the sites, and general curiosities about Kazakhstan. Even though a large part of the trip is spent in a van, it was very pleasant thanks to the excellent AC and the beautiful scenery along the way. Ayau was lovely and shared interesting trivia about the places we drove through. We wholeheartedly recommend this company for tours around Almaty!
Went with my partner and the guide Naz was very informative and friendly during the journey sharing facts about Kazakstan and the places we’re doing but we felt like the places we went were tourist traps besides Charyn canyon which was beautiful. The rest of the stops had a bunch of 360 cameras planted which ruined the view or paying to take pictures with the eagle. Everyone else seemed to enjoy the tour but it just wasn’t for me and my partner. The journey was also very long which I understand things are far away from each other but considering 19 hours tour I don’t think it’s worth the visit to these places besides charyn canyon. We ended up getting back to Almaty at 11pm.
It was very very nice and interesting. And the guide was very kind, polite, professional and well organised
Prepare to travel 500 and a few kilometers in a single day and visiting the tourist attractions, the tour is quite long and passes through 5 sensational attractions, be aware that some 3 attractions are only contemplative with very little time to enjoy, but when I booked I already knew that. All attractions are spectacular.
The tour was well organised, the guide Ayau was friendly and engaging. It was a long day but we were able to fit a lot into it, the van was comfortable and air-conditioned which was good in between stops to relax! All in all, a very good option if you don’t have a lot of time to explore all the sites on your own but still want to experience Kazakhstan ❤️
Awesome experience. Everything went well and smooth. The sights were amazing, Charyn Canyon at sunset was something else. Would recomnend.
It starts at 6 a.m. in the morning and you get back at 9:30 p.m. in the evening, as you cover 700 km. Our privately hired guide was super and very nice. The 3 canyons and 2 lakes are absolutely worth seeing and impressive. Do this trip. You will not regret it!
The tour was amazing. Our tour guide Saida and the driver made the 16 hour tour comfortable, funny and happy.
It was truly special to be with guide Ayau. I highly recommend it. It made the trip more enjoyable.
