Kolsai, Kaindy lakes and Charyn canyons 2 days small group tour
Overview
Available languages
2 days
Mobile ticket
Welcome to Kazakhstan! Within 2 days tour 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, cozy guest houses, an English-speaking guide, and local food. Join us on our 2 days small group trip to see the most beautiful places in Central Asia.
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon and Kolsay lake
Accommodations
Overnight in Saty village
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Hearty lunch of local cuisine (vegetarian option is available)
DINNER
Dinner
Hearty dinner of local cuisine (vegetarian option is available)
Charyn Canyon National Park
Walking inside the canyon, visiting the upper viewing spot, photographing 08:00 Pick-up and departure from Almaty 10:00 Shortstop for coffee/WC 11:00 Arrival at Charyn Canyon "Valley of the Castles", visiting several spots, walking along canyon 13:00 Departure from Charyn Canyon
Charyn Canyon National Park
Black Canyon, viewing spot, photographing 13:30 Shortstop at Black Canyon, viewing spot 13:50 Departure from Black Canyon
Lower Kolsai Lake
Walking, visiting several spots 15:00 Lunch in the guesthouse 15:40 Head to Kolsai lake 16:00 Kolsai Lake, walking, visiting several spots, horseback-riding (optional) 18:00 Leaving Kolsai Lakes National Park 18:20 Check in the guesthose 19:30 Dinner in the guesthouse
Kaindy lake and Yellow Canyon
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
vegetarian option is available
LUNCH
Lunch
Hearty lunch of local cuisine (vegetarian option is available)
Lake Kaindy
Walking, visiting several spots, photographing 08:00 Breakfast in the guesthouse 08:30 Head to Kaindy lake 11:30 Drive back to the Saty village
Charyn Canyon National Park
Yellow Canyon, viewing spot, photographing 12:00 Head to Yellow Canyon 13:30 Walk around Yellow canyon 15:00 Lunch on the way back to Almaty 18:00 Drop off in Almaty
What‘s Included
National parks entrance fees
English speaking guide
Overnight in the Saty Village
Dinner
Air-conditioned vehicle
Breakfast
Transfer to Kaindy Lake on the legendary Soviet van UAZ-452
Boating (13$) and horseback-riding (13$)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Kolsai, Kaindy lakes and Charyn canyons 2 days small group tour
Pickup included
Reviews
49 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing Tour!
Sadeem A,Apr 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing time, Didi was the perfect guide. Helpful, attentive, bubbly and performed beautifully on the Dombra. We hope to visit Kazakhstan again just to go and tour with her ♥️
Very fun trip
Venture54257573608,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing trip!!!!Guide was kind and funny, the places we went to were so beautiful and the horse back riding was ssoooo fun !!!!! And the nature was gorgeous, after all I loved the trip so much
I would definitely love to go back with my kids and book in thesame company.
Daisymer E,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I love the service and everything especially DIDI our tourguide she is very accommodating person.
Best tour of Kazakhstan national parks with Didi!!
ashtonb557,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best experience traveling through Kazakhstan’s beautiful national parks with our amazing tour guide, Didi. We had such a fun time, great food, an incredible yurt and some really nice hosts. Thanks so much for such a nice experience and can’t wait to come back and book another tour with Very Nice Kazakhstan!
Amazing Tour!
abayis,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was well-planned out and included all spots of interest we wanted to visit. Our tour guide Dinara (Didi) was fun and very helpful!
Best activity in almaty
445arig,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.0010/10. The nature is gorgeous and the guide was informative and kind (love Didi!). Our food was good and yurt was comfortable. Overall great time.
The Complete Kolsai Experience – Best Done Over Two Days with a Small Group
W3302LEvincentc,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Personally, I feel a trip to Kolsai Lakes is only truly complete if it also includes Charyn Canyon and Lake Kaindy. After all, it’s about a 3–4 hour one-way journey from Almaty, so doing it as a rushed day trip doesn’t really make sense to me. For the full experience — without excessive rushing — it’s best done over two days. The trip offered by Very Nice was exactly that, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our tour had a total of 6 travellers, and the small group size made everything much easier to manage and more comfortable. It felt well-paced and within control throughout. Our tour guide was Saya, who took good care of the group and ensured everything ran smoothly. I found it to be good value for money, with the guide, transport, food, and accommodation all taken care of. Some optional activities are at your own expense, which is fair. A few practical notes: There’s little to no internet connection at most of the sites. Bring your necessities, as there are very limited shops in the area. The accommodation was decent, and the food was very local — which added to the authentic experience. Overall, everything felt reasonable, and I do believe the best efforts were made to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.
Only good thing was the views the whole trip.
aminathniusha l,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00The views and all the places are absolutely breathtaking taking. But the tour guide was a Big NO. After visiting charyn canyon and while climbing the stairs back up to car parking we were tired and walking slowly, our tour guide said if we were not in the car in 5 minute he would leave is there. We were terrified the whole trip. He was kind of rude too. Sometimes he seemed ok but other times he behaved very rudely and unfriendly.
Amazing Day!
SamBold23,Jan 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic day with really friendly tour guides. The lakes, canyons and scenery are all beautiful and was really fun to give horse riding a go.
Very well-organized, amazing guide (Amina), highly recommend
U3524YWdariak,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on a 2-day trip to the Kolsay and Kaindy lakes, as well as to the Charyn Canyon. The entire organization of the trip was at a very high level, and communication with the company was quick and seamless. Our guide, Amina, was amazing—very well-organized, communicative, and extremely knowledgeable (she answered all the questions we asked). She was also very eager to chat with participants and shared her recommendations for restaurants, places, etc. in Almaty. Another big advantage was the option to choose meat-free dishes, which is not so obvious in this region. I highly recommend trips with this agency to everyone.
From US$120.00
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