Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour: Discover Kazakhstan's Natural Wonders

Explore the stunning natural wonders of Kazakhstan on our small-group tour! Visit Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, and experience the beauty of Central Asia with comfortable transport, an English-speaking guide, and local food.

Duration: 15 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Charyn Canyon National Park - 05:00 Departure from Almaty
    07:00 Brief stop for coffee and restroom break
    08:30 Arrival at Charyn Canyon “Valley of the Castles,” exploring various viewpoints and walking along the canyon
    10:00 Departure from Charyn Canyon
  • Charyn National Park - Black Canyon, scenic viewpoint, photography
  • Lake Kaindy -…
What's Included
  • National parks entrance fees
  • Bottled water
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Lunch
  • Transfer to Kaindy Lake on the legendary Soviet van UAZ-452
What's Not Included
  • Soft & Hard drinks
  • Special food & drinks
  • Horseback-riding 7000kzt (13$)
  • Taxi van instead of hiking 500KZT (1,5$)
Additional Information

Welcome to Kazakhstan! Experience the remarkable Charyn Canyon and the stunning Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, the jewels of the Tian-Shan mountains. We prioritize our tourists’ comfort by offering convenient transportation, an English-speaking guide, and authentic local cuisine. Join our small group tours to explore the most breathtaking locations in Central…

Location
Charyn Canyon National Park
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(588 Ratings)
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686reint
Nov 12, 2025
Magical Place of Almaty - We had an amazing experience on the tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake, and Kaindy Lake! The natural beauty of each place was absolutely breathtaking , from the stunning red cliffs of Charyn to the peaceful waters of Kolsay and the magical submerged forest of Kaindy. A huge part of what made the trip so special was our tour guide. She was very incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and organized throughout the entire journey. Assume shared interesting stories and facts about the history and local culture, which made the trip much more meaningful. She also made sure everyone felt comfortable and safe, managed the schedule efficiently, and even helped take great photos at the scenic spots. Her enthusiasm and sense of humor kept the group’s energy high, even during the long drives. Overall, it was a well-planned and memorable adventure. I’d highly recommend this tour and especially our amazing guide Assume, to anyone visiting Kazakhstan!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
985abdelkadera
Nov 12, 2025
Great deal - A must do experience! Definitely the best tour I’ve had in Almaty the views are absolutely stunning, and the guide speaks perfect English and explains everything really well. I highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisa_s
Nov 9, 2025
Great way to see all the key lakes and canyons! - This tour is a really great way to see everything you want to see outside of Almaty. Every single site we saw was incredible — I loved Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Lake Kaindy and Lake Kolsai. My favorite was Kaindy, where you take a Soviet era bus to a horseback ride to get to the lake, followed by homemade lunch. It was such an authentic experience (including getting kicked by a horse!). Highly recommend this tour as part of tour Almaty trip!
Review provided by Viator
Mobile37275241396
Nov 9, 2025
Awesome experience - Sabina was an amazing guide. She was polite, friendly, and helpful. I enjoyed every location that we went to. The meal at the guest house was a big plus. This trip is well worth the money and you won’t regret it. Side note: You may have some inconsiderate people in your group that don’t have any regard for time schedules and cause delays for the entire group.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brited2016
Nov 8, 2025
Amazing experience - We had an amazing experience with our tour guide, Sabina! Even though we were a bit late during the morning pickup, she managed everything so well and ensured that we still covered all the planned spots on time. Her coordination, patience, and professionalism made the whole trip smooth and enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
334marouas
Nov 8, 2025
Waaaw!!! - It was so great!!! Our guide Saida made this experience unforgottable. Nature, food, good mood. I m so grateful. I recomand it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mizitupari
Nov 7, 2025
More than just a tour✨ - The guide (Didi) is a very friendly and bubbly guide. She try to connect with every individual in the tour and that she is also very knowledgeable. Easy going person which makes the tour fun! The planning and execution from the team is fantastic. There was not any problems. The communication is clear. And everything was smooth sailing. Even when my wife and I were riding on the horse separated from the group (as they do not want to ride on horse), she hand me over a walkie talkie just to ensure my safety and to keep in touch. Now that is a top tier customer service! At the end of the day, every is awesome!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_a
Nov 7, 2025
Must do day tour from Almaty - Worrh the money. The distances are far but the tour is well planned out. This day tour is a must to see and experience more of Kazakhstan.
Review provided by Viator
Y4379xsangelicaa
Nov 7, 2025
From Solo Traveler to Unforgettable Journey - I recently joined a tour in Kazakhstan and it was honestly one of the best travel experiences I’ve had. The nature here is absolutely breathtaking from the mountains to the lakes, everything felt so peaceful and magical. Even as a solo traveler, I felt completely safe and well taken care of the whole time. The tour guides made sure I was comfortable and enjoying every moment. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and really passionate about sharing the beauty of their country. I never once felt alone it felt like traveling with new friends. This trip gave me memories I’ll never forget. I would 100% recommend this tour to anyone, especially those who want to explore nature and try something new. I’ll definitely tell my friends about this Kazakhstan is a must-visit! ✨🌍💙
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chanda3008
Nov 5, 2025
Unforgettable experience - It's a longish trip but worth every minute of it. The day starts at 5 am with pick up and ends at around 10 om. The first stop is Charyn Canyon where the views are mindblowing. A real marvel of nature. The next spot if Kaindy Lakes... Getting there is slightly tricky since the last stretch of the road is very rocky. Best to take a taxi... but the view is out of the world. Kolsai Lake is also incredibly beautiful. The lunch at the house of a local family was the highlight of our trip. We were a family of 3 and would like to Thank our Tour Guide Bek from the Bottom of our heart. He is incredibly knowledgeable, smart, knows a lot about History and provided us with a lot of information. He took good care of the group.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $58
up to 13 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).