Private Tour

Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights)

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

This tour option allows you to visit the most attractive natural sights of Almaty region in one day trip. Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes area is famous for its natural diversity. There are high mountains, rough rivers, evergreen forests and pristine lakes. Charyn Canyon is another spectacular must-see place which is located on the way to the lakes.

For this one-day tour you can choose two of the three sights (Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, Charyn Canyon). It might be Kolsai + Kaindy, Kolsai + Charyn or Kaindy + Charyn. You will have enough time to comfortably enjoy both locations and come back to the city.

To visit all three sights please check our 2-day tour with overnight stay.

Additional Info

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Private transportation

Professional guide service

All Fees and Taxes

Air-conditioned vehicle

There are few cafe / restaurant options during the tour

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

Kolsai Lake

Big pristine mountain lake, which is located in 300 km from Almaty. Kolsai Lake area and cinematic serpentine road to it allows you to observe impressive panoramic views of Alatau Mountains. Kazakh yurts, horses, snowy peaks and mountain rivers - that is what you will see on the way. There are nice walking trails with evergreen trees around the lake. You can take a boat ride and enjoy the lake from the water surface. Or you can also take a ride on a horse and explore few interesting spots nearby.

3 hours • Admission Included

Lake Kaindy

This Lake is a unique natural phenomenon. The second name for the lake is actually 'The Sunken Forest'. The reason for that are few dozens of spruce trees which emerge from the water surface of the lake. Those are the witnesses of the earthquake which took place in this area back in the days. It formed a hollow with fir-tree forest in it. Soon the local mountain river started to fill it up until the lake was formed. There is a great walking trail around the lake with few different view spots. The whole area of the Kaindy Lake is just a piece of pristine nature.

3 hours • Admission Included

Options

Kolsai Lake + Charyn Canyon

Pickup included

Kaindy Lake + Charyn or Kolsai

Duration: 1 hour: Kaindy Lake requires an extra 1 hour off-road drive
A bit more of walking/hiking
Pickup included

Reviews

5.00

5 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Tour was great, we really...
Desislava F,
Nov 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Tour was great, we really enjoy the two beautiful lakes and our guide Mina was very kind and tell us a lot.
Amazing Tour!
775shirleyz,
Aug 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Bakhtiar was an incredible guide who was really personal and took the tour the extra mile for us. It was an incredible day jampacked with personalized stops and views. We learned so much about Almaty, the surrounding region, and Kazakhstan as a whole, and we got incredible views of diverse and gorgeous scenery in the canyons, steppes, and lakes around the area. It was truly worth every minute and we would recommend it to anyone!
Perfect day trip from Almaty
Matthew D,
May 28, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
We chose Charyn Canyon and Kaindy Lake. Our guide Dimash was amazing, and his English was great! The weather in May was perfect in that it wasn't too cold, not too hot under the sun. The car ride is long, but we walked away feeling like we got enough time at each location. Better than trying to do all three!
A great day at Kolsai and Kindy lakes
27nataljap,
May 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
It was a great experience - very long day but it was totally worth it taking into consideration a limited number of days in Kazakhstan. Our guide Minara was very knowledgeable and friendly, told us many interesting facts about the tour and Kazakhstan in general. Nature and landscapes were very beautiful, if I had more days, I would go for a 2-day tour including Charyn canyon and overnight stay in the mountains. But 1-day tour is a great option for those short of time! Thank you
Wow Amazing Tour!!
Suz11587,
Apr 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was by far one of the best tours we have been on and a highlight of our trip to Kazakhstan!! So good we would rate it higher than 5* if we could. Nursultan was the perfect guide. Full of interesting facts and information on the history and culture of Kazakhstan. He allowed us to take our time, never rushing us and always being patient and accommodating to our needs. The sights were incredible and Nursultan knew all the best spots/viewpoints to take us to for photos. If we had longer we would have booked more tours with him.