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
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
Options
Group tour (08:00)
Group tour (07:00)
Pickup included
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
482 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
So beautiful
Meenakshi S,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kolsai is a very very serene spot and must visit in Almaty
2 day adventure
Eunice B,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great itinerary for the 2 day trip. Well organized. Nice people on tour. Great guide, Jan Plenty of time to pace your own tour. Well done.
Great fun way to see Kazakhstan with great guide
Floyd R,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour with an excellent guide, Zhuldys. She did a great job of herding 30 people on a comfortable luxury small bus to 6 locations all over Kazakhstan. The bus had air conditioning,WiFi, and a competent driver. Optional activities included boat rentals and horseback riding. The hikes were relatively easy (and we were the oldest folks at 73) and never more than 5km. A great mix of tourists of all ages from Singapore, Philippines, Canada, India, Turkey, Italy, France and a few from the USA.
Incredible experience
765no mied,May 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This excursion was great! We had the time to explore the different canyons and stroll along the lakes. Everything was as described. The tour is very comprehensive, with varied activities and interesting explanations. Moreover, our guide Vlad was fantastic! He was funny, interesting, attentive, and always ready to show us the best spots. The provided meals were typical and delicious. The only small downside might be the size of the group, which was larger than I would have imagined. We were about twenty people, and a smaller group would have made the experience more intimate. But overall, it was great; I recommend it!
Worth to try
BAHAREH V,May 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I really enjoyed the trip and the tour guide Vlad was really a nice guy, everything was planned very well.
Canyon and Lakes
Shaurya M,May 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00One of the best experiences I’ve had. Sergie and Ax were amazing tour guides. An authentic Kazakhstan experience. Honestly amazing beautiful nature and lakes. Would recommend to anyone and everyone. 100% worth it
Well Organized Tour + Regional Highlights
wanderingroseee,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great trip! Our guide, Jan, made sure to connect with/get to know everyone in the group and gave insightful information not only on the locations we were visiting but on Kazakh culture as a whole. The entire trip was well organized and we were given plenty of time at each spot. It's a great way to explore the highlights of the region.
Best Kazakh Valleys and Lakes Tour Program
Dreamseeker58,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour spots were very good and time to enjoy myself was enough. Guide was very very kind.
Excellent trip
RicardoFRodrigues,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was such a fantastic and unique experience! Everything was very well organised, with guide Jan always providing explanations of the different locations we visited and being quite helpful on communication with the locals. Hard to say what was the highlight, because everything was great!
Best tour experience!
Julianna Y,May 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience! Great sceneries and wonderful people met on the tour! Yurt experience was fantastic!
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Operated by Kazakhstan Guided Tours