Kolsai Lake and Charyn Canyon Day Trip
Overview
Available languages
16 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the unique landscapes of Charyn Canyon and Kolsay Lake on a day trip from Almaty.
The tour includes various activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and boating, allowing tourists to engage with the environment actively and enjoy different perspectives of the lakes.
Kolsay Lake, often referred to as the "Pearls of the Northern Tien Shan," offers breathtaking views with its serene blue waters surrounded by lush green mountains.
Interacting with the local Kazakh communities and experiencing their hospitality and traditions enriches the cultural aspect of the tour. Guests can enjoy local cuisine and learn about the lifestyle of people living in this remote area.
Charyn Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon, features stunning geological formations that are millions of years old.
Opportunities for adventure activities such as hiking through the Valley of Castles and exploring hidden caves make this tour appealing to thrill-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Entrance fees to Charyn National Park
All Fees and Taxes
Professional Guide
Transportation
Entrance fees to Kolsai lakes National Park
Special food & drinks
Boating and horse-riding (30 min boat ride $10 per group of 4 people, horse riding $10 for 30 min)
What To Expect
Charyn National Park
Walking in the canyons, small hiking to Sharyn River and make photos
Charyn Canyon
Black canyon View point for 15 minutes
Options
Kolsai Lake and Charyn Canyon Day Trip
Reviews
100 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Overall visit was good. Visit all the places as mentioned. Little bit language issue.
Ankit G,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Guide was speaking Kazakhi language more than English language unable to understand many things. Also while coming back the vehicle was broke and making uneasy sound and heater was very high.
Amazing Experience
keenedt,
Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour to Kolsai Lake and Charyn Canyon was amazing—breathtaking views and a smooth experience from start to finish. Our guide Navruz was friendly, knowledgeable, and very attentive, which made the trip even more enjoyable. Highly recommend!
Join Me Asia Number 1
mhelvzzo,
Aug 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a really good tour and the join me staff is so friendly and approachable.and their so very patience and friendly for the tourist
Tiring but worthwhile
leana L,
Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00The views of nature are really wonderful. Charyn canyon was tiring but worth the walk (literally a lot of walking, please dont underestimate). The Kolsai lake got a narnia vibe, it was really majestic (be ready for an uphill walking 😅). It was tiring but definitely worth it. What we saw is even better to what we have expected. Maybe just a bit of improvement for the tourist guides on board. I am not really sure if that is how it is supposed to be. But as foreigner who is in a foreign land, it would lessen our anxiety if our tour guide is a bit more accommodating. Some instructions where not really translated promptly enough to us which made us wonder what to do next. We do appreciate the driver though, he tried to give us instructions despite of not being able to speak in English. The tourist guides are men with few words. 😅 Anyway, if you are a traveller who is not particular about tourist guides then it is fine. 😆. It was mentioned that bottles of water will be provided but we did not receive any. Anyway, it is a small matter. We brought our own water anyway. Overall, the trip was very long, a lot of walking but definitely worth it. 🤗
Amazing Kazakhstan
387manilynd,
Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our trip is very good, Altynai is very attentive and accommodating with all of our needs, and very helpful. We take 2 days tour luckily we have the same tour guide on both of our tours. The places are very beautiful we take so many photos and enjoyed the tour so much.
Beautiful memories with my mom
yelinl2024,
Jul 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00my tour guide zhiebk is absolutely amazing, friendly, kind and approachable. I had a tour with my mom first time visiting Kazahstan. Im so happy to show her beautiful nature of kazahstan through this tour. I highly recommened this program and hope you have an unforgettable memories.
Making myself happy
189soufianeb,
Jul 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Another Great day with Joinme Another Great day with The lovely Guide Dalila The Trip was almost 16Hrs i hope if it more i really didn't want it to finish it bcz of the tour guide ( Dalila ) She always giving her signe to the trip ( like yesterday ) If you really wanted to enjoy the trip , choose it with Joinme especialy with Dalila I'm sad that i'm leaving tomorrow Not good bye but see you later joinme💚
10/10
C8820KO ,
Jul 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything was amazing! The tour is definitely worth visiting. Special thanks to our guide Ayaulym - she is truly a professional at what she does
Time change without warning
Anne-Laure I,
Jul 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00Extremely disappointed. It could have been great- if we really went to visit the canyon. However, they changed the time from 6 am to 5 am without telling us, expecting us to know and be there on time. Which we couldn't do, of course. Also, we didn't have the tourist guide's contact, only the agency's one, so we had no way to understand why nobody was here at 6 am, which let us a little bit panicked. After arguing, the agency acknowledged its wrongs and made us a refund (hence the 1/5 and no 0/5 stars). It can be great and I'm sure the landscapes are amazing, but if you choose this agency but sure of the time and place of the meeting point!
Avoid! Sardines in a can!
OhVea,
Jul 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00I can’t choose zero stars unfortunately. We played a day trip from Almaty with joinme. They were an hour late at the hotel. When they finally showed up we boarded the bus which had so little place that my 1.65m girlfriend couldn’t even fit between the seats. I am 1.93 so I didn’t even try. This bus is way worse than a low cost airline‘s seats. We left the bus and of course we didn’t get our money back. I would not use this company image “sitting” like this for 10 hours. Avoid! Bad service. Then the “owner” comments on my review on another site. I should contact him to resolve this issue. I contact them and they just say “hello” and “the owner will contact you” but nothing! Crap service
From US$43.00
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