Charyn Canyon, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Day Tour

Sauran the lost city - big almaty lake tour

Shaitankol, The dead lake Karkaraly national park

Overview: Charyn Canyon

Almaty Expeditions team offers you a great day tour that includes the best highlights of the Almaty region. The tour starts with early morning pick up and continues with visiting the main attractions such as Kolsai Lake, Kaindly Lake and Canyon Charyn.

It will be a long, day trip, lots of stunning natural sights, traditional villages, hiking along the lakes, enjoying traditional meals and at the end of the trip you will have so many memories and a tired legsJ

Kolsai Lake is one of three Kolsai Lakes located on the northern slopes of the Tien Shan Mountains. It is a system of three lakes, the Lower Kolsai Lake at an altitude of 1818 metres, the Middle Kolsai Lake at an altitude of 2250 metres and the Upper Kolsai Lake at an altitude of 2850 metres.

Our tour includes a visit to Lower Kolsai Lake with its picturesque scenery. Here you can enjoy a boat ride on the lake. Take your time and enjoy the view!

Lake Kaindy was formed after an earthquake in the 1911’s caused a large landslide that formed a natural dam. The stunning blue lake is also known as an underwater forest.

The trees are dead and it looks a bit eerie. Take a walk to the lake and back which takes about 1.5 hours. If you like horse riding we can arrange a horse trek. The lake is also famous for diving.

Canyon Charyn is one of the best highlights of Almaty, where you can enjoy a picturesque red sedimentary canyon. The canyon is about 150 kilometres long and has many popular spots.

Canyon Charyn gorge is often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Central Asia” for its unique rock formations and breathtaking landscape.

Visitors can also explore other notable destinations like Altyn Emel National Park, which is known for its diverse landscapes and unique wildlife.

We will stop at a place called Black Canyon. Enjoy your day!

Exploring Canyon Charyn Canyon National Park

Canyon Charyn National Park is a must-visit destination for nature lovers, hikers, and adventure seekers. The park offers a range of hiking trails, from easy day hikes to more challenging multi-day treks.

Visitors can explore the park’s unique landscapes, including the Valley of Castles, Temirlik Canyon, and the Yellow Canyon. The park is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including rare and endemic species.

With its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Canyon Charyn National Park is an unforgettable destination that promises an adventure of a lifetime.

Pick up at 6:00 am

We will pick you up at 6am and make our first stop at Canyon Charyn in the Charyn Canyon Region. This region is known for its geographical significance and various canyons, including the famous Canyon Charyn. Today you will be accompanied by an English speaking guide and an experienced driver. At Canyon Charyn National Park you can enjoy the beautiful canyon and take an unforgettable picture. Drive to Kolsai Lakes National Park. Leave your car at the car park and take a short walk to the viewpoint.

Here you can take a boat trip and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Lunch is a picnic lunch taken in the traditional village of Saty. In the afternoon we walk to Kandly Lake. This is a slightly longer walk and if you prefer we can arrange a horse ride. Kandy is one of the most beautiful lakes in the country. At the entrance to the lake valley you can taste some traditional dairy products.

Drive back to Almaty. On arrival in the city we will take you to one of the best restaurants. End of the road trip here. Drop you off at your hotel. Thank you for coming!

Almaty is a big city and there will be a lot of traffic during your day tour. Please be patient.

If the any of attractions are not open, we will replace it with other highlights that are no less exciting.

The tour can be booked the day before. Please let us know your preferred date and wait for confirmation.

The tour can started with a picking-up from the airport.

Good to know:

This is one of the four Altmaty Day Tours that we offer. All four tours have different highlights. These tours of smaller canyons can be combined and you can see the best of Almaty in 2-4 days.

If you are especially interested in geological wonders and landscapes, Canyon Charyn is an absolute must-see. The Charyn Canyons include several unique and lesser-known canyons, each offering distinct landscapes and exploration opportunities.

We are flexible and always happy to offer the best. If there is a special event, concert or tournament, we are happy to include it as a highlight of the tour.

Charyn Canyon, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Day Tour

Duration: Full day tour
Availability: Four seasons
Begin and end: Almaty city
Tour type: Almaty City Tour
Price from: 150 USD per person

Our highlights

Enjoy the gorgeous Kolsai Lakes National Park
Charyn Canyon National Park
Kaindy Lake, and traditional village Saty

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Tour Price Includes

Transportation + fuel
Experienced driver
English speaking guide
All permits and fees
Lunch and Dinner
All activities

Tour price excludes

Personal needs
Alcoholic beverages
Gratitude

Tour details:

The packing list is based on the time of year. Please dress according to the weather forecast. Make sure your camera and mobile phone are fully charged to capture the spectacular rock formations of Canyon Charyn.

Please also bring a day pack with the following items: sunglasses, fresh water, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, hand sanitiser, toiletries. And please have some cash in case you want to go shopping or buy souvenirs. Especially for Canyon Charyn, bring good walking shoes and sun protection.

This is a city tour, not a wilderness tour. There are plenty of places to go to the toilet. But please let your guide know in advance. Sometimes in traffic it can be difficult to find and stop for the toilet, so please make sure you go to the toilet before you get in the car. Thank you very much.

This is one of the four Almaty Day Tours and is based on visiting the historical attractions of the city. During the tour you will visit the main road and places that are famous to the locals and are an important part of the city’s culture.

This tour is for those who want to experience a real Almaty city tour and meet the locals. Nature lovers will particularly enjoy Canyon Charyn and the stunning lakes.

We are responsible for picking you up at the time we have arranged. We are responsible for visiting the places and seeing the attractions that we have mentioned on google maps in our itinerary. We are responsible for guiding you with pleasure and giving you a great city tour.

We are not responsible for any unplanned inconvenience during the tour. We are not responsible for the traffic in the city and finally we are not responsible for the bad weather conditions that you have to be prepared for in advance when people visit.

Our guide is a tour leader, we kindly ask you to follow his/her instructions and respect his/her job. Please do not hurt the feelings of the locals and respect their traditions.

Please be prepared for the trip and get ready on time. Be aware that some remote areas, like Bestamak Canyon, require a four-wheel drive for access and offer a rewarding experience amid dramatic red rock formations.

Please remember that we are happy to meet you and it is our pleasure to guide you today. It is going to be a great day, so please enjoy your trip.

The Almaty City Tour is available all year round. Please check the weather forecast once you have chosen your tour date. And try to pack an extra jacket for the evenings.

Canyon Charyn, including protected area of the Red Canyon known for its distinctive red sandstone formations, can be very hot in summer and quite chilly in early spring or late autumn

We kindly ask you to pay a deposit to confirm your trip.

The remain balance can be paid 7 days before the start of the tour (but we are very flexible with payment terms)

Here is our cancellation policy that we recommend our clients follow.

Cancelling the tour within more than 2 months, 50% of your deposit payment will be reimbursed.

Cancelling the tour less than one month, the deposit payment will not be reimbursed.

The Almaty Day Tour does not include accommodation.

This is a fully guided day tour where you will be accompanied by local guides. We take pride in showing you our beautiful city. We have an experienced driver and a comfortable vehicle.

During the tour you will have the opportunity to taste the traditional meals. If you are vegetarian or vegan please let us know in advance. There is a wide choice of meals so we hope you will enjoy the traditional meals.

Dining near Charyn Canyon offers a unique local cuisine and stunning views, much like the experience near the American Grand Canyon, but with its own distinct charm. In the evening we will take you to one of the best restaurants in town.