Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour
Overview
Available languages
15 hours
Mobile ticket
Welcome to Kazakhstan! You will visit the unique Charyn Canyon, and the pearls of the Tian-Shan mountains - Kolsai and Kaindy lakes. We value our tourists, therefore we provide you with comfortable transport, an English-speaking guide, and local food. Join us on our small group trips to see the most beautiful places in Central Asia.
Please note: This tour is not suitable for children under 5years old due to long travel times and the nature of the itinerary.
PICK UP FROM HOTELS START AT 5 AM. WE DEPART FROM CITY AT 5:40AM
Additional Info
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Charyn Canyon National Park
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
Charyn National Park
Black Canyon, viewing spot, photographing
What‘s Included
National parks entrance fees
Bottled water
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hearty lunch of local cuisine (vegetarian option is available)
Transfer to Kaindy Lake on the legendary Soviet van UAZ-452
Soft & Hard drinks
Special food & drinks
Horseback-riding 7000kzt (13$)
Taxi van instead of hiking 500KZT (1,5$)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
726 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Wonderful trip
FarAway60316601558,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful trip! Alibi our guide was so knowledgeable and charismatic. Lunch was great. The places we went were so interesting! Highly recommend!
Incredible tour - you MUST do this!
Travelzzz1234,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on this tour with our guide Zhandos. It was a brilliant day and we had so much fun visiting these amazing sights. This was the best day of our entire trip and was a highlight for Kazakhstan for us. Pickup was smooth and the bus ride comfortable. Zhandos was very clear in timings and helped prepare us for the day. The journey was long (4 hours each way), but the scenery was breathtaking. Both lakes and gorges were stunning and well worth the journey. Lunch was delicious with more than enough food for everybody. Thank you Zhandos for a brilliant day!
Fantastic mountain lakes and canyons
550ulir,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It's a long trip but once you leave Almaty in the early morning, watch a lovely red sunrise, see Talgar peak in the early morning with glistening snow before the bare steppe, you know, it's gonna be a good day. Kolsay Lakes are beautiful, Kaindy is all right too. And then the canyons - a highlight of this trip. Charyn at sunset is a special experience. Saida was a magnificent, knowledgable, smart and charming guide and I hope you're on a trip where she plays the dombyra in a private session. Surely recommended.
Beautiful sights and flawless logistics, but the dedicated guide fell short
jeffreybH5310CB,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00I would absolutely recommend this 17-hour canyon and lakes tour, especially for anyone traveling solo who wants a hassle-free day. The logistics were fantastic: the van was exceptionally clean and comfortable, the included lunch was genuinely amazing, and we successfully hit every single site on the itinerary. Our driver was excellent and got us everywhere smoothly. My only constructive feedback is regarding our guide. Since we had a separate driver, I expected the guide to be fully focused on sharing the history, facts, and cultural details about the locations and the country. Instead, while he was very friendly, he wasn't proactive at all. Information was really only provided if he was prompted by several questions. It felt like the guide didn't provide much added benefit to the trip. The company would elevate this experience significantly by training their guides to be more naturally talkative and informative along the route. Overall, I was a little disappointed with the educational side of the tour, but the sheer comfort, great food, and beautiful locations still make their services well worth booking.
Well-Planned Tour to Breathtaking Lakes and Canyon
imgeofanatic,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent experience on this one-day tour. Everything was very well organized and perfectly timed, which made the entire trip smooth and enjoyable. Our guide Zhandos was friendly, knowledgeable, and highly responsible, managing the group efficiently while ensuring everyone felt comfortable. The locations were absolutely stunning and are truly beautiful places that should not be missed. The guide accompanied us throughout the treks, providing clear guidance and support along the way. Visiting Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, as well as Charyn Canyon, was unforgettable—each spot offering unique and breathtaking scenery. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a well-planned and memorable adventure filled with must-see natural wonders.
Well-Planned Tour to Breathtaking Lakes and Canyon
lavanya k,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had an excellent experience on this one-day tour. Everything was very well organized and perfectly timed, which made the entire trip smooth and enjoyable. Our guide Zhandos was friendly, knowledgeable, and highly responsible, managing the group efficiently while ensuring everyone felt comfortable. The locations were absolutely stunning and are truly beautiful places that should not be missed. The guide accompanied us throughout the treks, providing clear guidance and support along the way. Visiting Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, as well as Charyn Canyon, was unforgettable—each spot offering unique and breathtaking scenery. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a well-planned and memorable adventure filled with must-see natural wonders.
I had an absolutely wonderful time on this tour! The itinerary was incredibly rich and well-paced.
Passenger07908498986,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Warm & Enthusiastic. Nice tour guide.
High quality tour
424rua,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was throughly impressed with how this tour went. It's not easy planning to do 3 different places in a day, so the organisation and planning was top notch. Want to give some kudos to the tour leader Asseme, who was lovely. Explained things in great detail and made things a lot transparent. The memories of seeing the lakes up close was something I will remember for a long time.
Review from a Pinoy traveler's POV
867kingo,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our trip to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai was incredibly well-organized and offered efficient travel between these breathtaking sites. The service was top-tier throughout the day, and we highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Almaty. Amir was exceptionally professional, providing deep historical background. He shared fascinating stories/facts with each stop! Just wanna say huge kudos to Amir for being professional, and friendly at the same time. Driver was caring and he got us back to the hotel safe. We're missing Almaty already!
Tour trip
Roam07567831006,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yesterday journey really awesome, me and my wife really enjoyed, the main part the tour girl saya really good and professional and the the driver even though he a old man sory to say that , but bring bus really safe, i will recommend your service to my Malaysian people!!!
From US$59.00
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