Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Tour (lunch included)
Overview
Available languages
17 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour is the best way to visit the most popular natural sites of Almaty region in 1 day if you do not have time to go on a full 2-day tour. Within a day you will visit the 5 natural landmarks of Almaty - Charyn Canyon, Black and Moon Canyons, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes. In this regard, this tour is long and has a tight schedule.
The tour itinerary is designed in such a way that you have time to visit all the tour sights, and so that you have enough time to take stunning photos. A small tour group will allow you not to get lost in the crowd and be part of one team. Our comfortable minibus will create such comfortable conditions for you that you will not get tired during long trips. And finally, our English-speaking tour guide will take you through all points of both the driving and walking parts of the route, show you the tour sights from the best angle and provide you with comprehensive information about them.
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‘s Included
National parks entrance fees
Comfortable minibus with A/C
Home-cooked lunch of local cuisine (vegetarian option is available)
Bottled water
Off-road transfer to Lake Kaindy on legendary Soviet van
Boating and horseback-riding (optional from 6000 KZT/person)
Special dietary food and soft drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Charyn Canyon
Walking along the canyon, visiting different photo spots, photographing
Uzunbulak Canyon (Moon Canyon)
Shortstop at Moon Canyon, viewing spot
Options
Group tour (shared basis)
Small-group tour: small groups of up to 15 travelers
Lunch included
Comfortable minibus with A/C: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Pickup included
Private tour option
Individual tour: only you travel, without other people.
Vehicle type: 2-5 pax - SUV;
6-7 pax - Toyota Hiace van;
8-15 pax - Mercedes Sprinter minibus.
Pick-up/drop-off: any custom location in Almaty city.
Pickup included
Reviews
284 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly Recommended Outdoors Activity
Mun C,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a solid one-day activity to experience the Kazakh outdoors. We went to 5 sites, including a ride on an old Soviet bus and a pony, with a delicious lunch at a local home. If you have more time, stretching it to a two-day trip with an overnight stay in a yurt would probably be better but if you only have a day to spare, do this. We had a pleasant guide, Naz, and driver and they managed a packed day without us feeling too rushed.
Amazing
Seetha I,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was amazing — we covered all the main places, and our guide, Luba, was excellent and very informative. The only drawback was the car’s speed on the way there; even though the road was empty, the driver was going very slowly, and many cars and trucks were passing us. However, on the way back, he drove much better. Overall, this tour is highly recommended. One tip: if anyone has back or knee pain, I would advise skipping the horse ride at Kandy Lake
Great diversity of places visited
I327CHcharlesb,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great day. Tour guide Serzh was very friendly and knowledgeable. Perfect amount of stops given how long the tour was.
Amazing
727faithb,
Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I really like how we were on time and on schedule for everything. Our guide, Luba, was very informative, entertaining and very helpful. We also had a wonderful lunch at Nana Shakira’s place
Perfect Tour for a Short Layover in Almaty ✨
Ameerah S,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Had an amazing experience with Kazakhstan Guided Tours! The group size was small, the ride was comfortable, and our guide Zhenis was friendly, knowledgeable, and really made the day special. We also had a delicious traditional lunch at a cozy guesthouse, which felt like a real local experience! As cabin crew this tour was perfect for a short layover — well organized, efficient with time, and still gave us the chance to truly enjoy the beautiful places. Highly recommend if you want a high-quality, quick but memorable tour in Almaty! 💛🌿
Highlight tour for a day
Vacation687218,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great, but at the same time very long and therefore partly strenuous day tour. But the tour leads through breathtaking landscapes and natural beauties, which makes up for the long ride. And just the extremely bumpy but also fun journey to Lake Kaindy is worth a tour. Only the tight schedule led in part to rather hectic short visits. Even the lunch was really delicious, only unfortunately there was also relatively little time to enjoy. Our guide Luba was really wonderful and entertained us well and made the tour even more beautiful. She gave us many impressions and background information about Kazakhstan and was always friendly and competent.
Exceptional Trip
bkurien99,
Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Zhenis is a very professional tour guide. Gives good description and idea about places. Good experience and I am very much satisfied.
Wonderful experience with Kaz Guided Tours.
856rajkumars,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing day tour with Kaz Guided Tours exploring Charyn Canyon,Moon Canyon , Black Canyon Kolsai Lake and Kaindy Lake as well as experiencing authentic Kaz food along with more than 15 tourists of different countries . Luba ,our tour guide was young, energetic and knowledgeable ,also shared stories and legends of the country . The trip was an adventure with breathtaking sights, enjoying pristine beauty of nature along with never imagined rides in Soviet era buses, Truly an incredible experience!
Quick and convenient tour for day travelers
hardhikp2023,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour timing is very convenient and the guides/driver are on time. Luba did a great job taking us through the different locations and explaining their significance. I would suggest converting this into a 2 day activity (KGT provides these as well) if you can - it would definitely be worth it. I would recommend! PS: The horse ride up to the Kaindy lake is worth it.
Great way to see the variety of Kazakhstan in a short time!
Ewan J,
Oct 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I recently did the Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyon 1 day tour and had an excellent time. It’s an early start at 5am but I would still recommend it, especially if you have limited time in Almaty and want to see as much as possible. Our driver was timely and safe and our tour guide Naz was very knowledgable and fun to chat to. The locations themselves were stunningly beautiful and so worth the journey!
From US$69.00
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Operated by Kazakhstan Guided Tours