Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour
Overview
Available languages
2 days
Mobile ticket
Within 2 days you will visit the most famous places of Almaty region - Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Charyn, Black and Moon Canyons. The tour itinerary is designed in such a way that you have time to enjoy all the tour sights fully. Our comfortable transportation will provide you with a pleasant experience, ensuring you remain comfortable during long trips.
In the evening, you will enjoy a rustic dinner of local cuisine, as well as games and fun around the bonfire.
For the night, tourists are accommodated in the yurt camp at the picturesque foothill far from the noise of the roads, where only the sound of a mountain river can be heard and the starry sky can be clearly seen. Here, you will feel the spirit of the nomadic lifestyle, enjoy the silence away from civilization, and be united with nature (accommodation in a house is also possible).
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
Important note: Children under 5 y.o. are not allowed on the tour
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Moon Black Canyons & Kolsai Lake
Accommodations
Accommodation in rooms with attached bathroom and yurts (nomadic dwelling) shared with tour members of the same gender
Food and Drinks
LUNCH
Lunch
Home-cooked lunch of local cuisine (vegetarian option is available)
DINNER
Dinner
Home-cooked dinner of local cuisine (vegetarian option is available) and gatherings around the bonfire
Charyn National Park
• Moon Canyon, viewing spot • Short stop at Black Canyon
Lower Kolsai Lake
• Kolsai Lake, walking, horseback-riding or boating (optional), visiting all spots
Kaindy Lake & Charyn Canyon
Food and Drinks
BREAKFAST
Breakfast
LUNCH
Lunch
Home-cooked lunch of local cuisine (vegetarian option is available)
Lake Kaindy
• Kaindy Lake, off-road trip, hiking or horseback-riding (optional), visiting all spots
Charyn Canyon National Park
• Charyn Canyon "Valley of the Castles", visiting several spots, walking along the bottom of the canyon 1.5 km till Charyn river and back
What‘s Included
National parks entrance fees
Off-road transfer to Lake Kaindy on Soviet van
Karaoke and bonfire after dinner
Accommodation in rooms with attached WC and yurts (nomadic dwelling) shared with other participants
Transportation on modern van/bus with A/C
Vegetarian food (if required)
Dinner
Bottled water
Breakfast
Special dietary food & soft drinks
Boating and horseback-riding (optional from 6000 KZT/person)
Private accommodation (contact us if you need it)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Group tour (07:00)
Pickup included
Group tour (08:00)
Reviews
460 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Truly Unforgettable Experience
SamirA240,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Truly an unforgettable experience and without a doubt the highlight of my visit to Kazakhstan. From the beautiful scenery of Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes to the impressive landscapes of Charyn Canyon, every part of this journey was memorable. The mix of lakes, forests, mountains, and canyons made this one of the most enjoyable trips I have ever taken. The yurt camp exceeded all expectations: authentic, cosy, and clean. The meals were delicious throughout the trip, and the coach was comfortable and spotless from start to finish. Whether enjoying lunch in a local family home or dining at the camp itself, everything was extremely well organised. Communication with the agency via WhatsApp was also smooth and efficient throughout. A special mention goes to Vlad: a young, patient, passionate, and enthusiastic guide by day, and singer by night, who made the whole experience even more enjoyable. The karaoke after the delicious dinner in the yurt, followed by evenings around the campfire with guitar music and singing under the stars, created an amazing atmosphere. One of the most memorable trips I’ve ever had.
Esential kazak tour<3
980lat,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was great, communication prior to the tour was great and everything went smoothly. Our tour gude Serzhan was the best, he told us everything there is to know and was super nice, patient and helpful <3. The lakes are amazing and totaly worth it the "hikes" were easy (for a slovenian). The yurts were sooo cosy and warm. Everything is taken care of so you don't need to worry about admissons or food. The traditional food at Shakira's was amazing. The vibes are there✨🏔️. We also booked big almaty tour and got a nice discount. So all in all would recommend. Za vse slovence, hodi se dost ampak ne tolk ko mislite. Pač tk ko da bi šli mal okrog al pa na šmarno goro še tolk ne, drč pa fajn in priporočam da bookirate<3.
Great tour covering major...
BridgetteClare B,May 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour covering major sights around Almaty, Jan and Sergei were absolutely lovely as guide and driver
Saty Village
Venture48313908272,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our trip was truly an unforgettable experience from start to finish. One of the highlights was the comfortable ride. Traveling in a small group made a huge difference — it felt personal, not crowded, and we had plenty of space to enjoy the scenery along the way. The guesthouse (yurt) exceeded all expectations. It was, clean, and welcoming, with a warm atmosphere that made us feel right at home. After a day of exploring, it was the perfect place to rest and recharge.We had so much fun on the karaoke night and chillin in the bonfire before sleeping. Lunch was another standout part of the trip. Experiencing a traditional meal added so much authenticity — the food was delicious, fresh, and gave us a real taste of local culture. It wasn’t just a meal, it was part of the experience. A special thank you goes to our guide, Zhenis, who made the trip even more memorable. His knowledge, friendliness, and attention to detail truly set this experience apart. He made sure everyone felt comfortable and engaged, and his passion really showed.
Great tour by Kazakhstan Guided Tours and Zhenis!
Paradise66662988493,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had a great tour with Kazakhstan Guided Tours! The tour guide, Zhenis was really great and put his best foot forward to keep the group entertained and comfortable!! The tour bus and the stays and the food were all amazing and inclusive! The group sizes were kept at a managable number, would not make you feel overwhelmed. We went to the Moon and Black canyons, then visited the Kolsai lake, and then stayed in Kurmeti village, which was beautiful!! The next day we visited the kaindy lake and the Charyn canyon, and were given ample amount of time to enjoy the place. The only reason for 4star rating is because we never got our room's key during the night stay, which made us feel a little on edge and because the same key was needed to enjoy the beautiful backyard porch, we are just a little disappointed. Apart from that, definitely recommend this company and the guide!!
Must do tour if you’re in Kazakhstan
Nikhil C,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Serzhan was a great guide. Very knowledgable and made the experience really fun and interesting.
2 Day Tour! Almaty Region!
ellycordelia,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spectacular tour! We went to many beautiful places that would have been hard to reach individually. Our guide Serzhan was knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly. I would recommend this tour to everyone visiting Almaty. I went with a small child (6 years old) and suggestions were made for easier routes for hiking and other athletic couples could still hike and explore at their pace too! You stop for home cooked food both days too! It’s a lovely welcome to the country.
Must-do tour during your stay in Almaty
tanakento,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience exploring the treasures of nature outside Almaty. As a solo traveler I wasn’t sure if I would be comfortable joining a group tour, but our tour guide Zhenis made sure everyone was accounted for and had a good time. He was quick to remember everyone’s name and created a good ambience from the beginning. Needless to say, each sight we visited was spectacular and meals and accommodations were equally as amazing.
Informative and fun experience exploring Kazakhstan’s scenic nature
bbynatalai,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a fantastic time exploring these stunning lakes and canyons of Kazakhstan. Our guide Zhenis was attentive and made effort to immediately learn everyone’s names and get to know each person’s interests. We felt very taken care of and would recommend this tour for anyone visiting Kazakhstan!
Amazing experience
960kevinv,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The trip was amazing and Zhanis really made the trip worth it. His photography skills as well are beyond amazing got great takes. Really made the trip worth it.
From US$140.00
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Operated by Kazakhstan Guided Tours