Almaty Jeep Tour: Kolsay, Kaindy & Charyn Canyon

Three lakes, a canyon at golden hour, and a 4x4 that goes where roads don't

A private full-day jeep tour from Almaty visits Kolsay Lake, Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon in a single day, with hotel pickup, a live guide, and entrance fees included. The drive covers roughly 300 km through steppe and mountains to reach each site. You spend a couple of hours at Kolsay, walk 15 minutes to Kaindy, and arrive at Charyn Canyon in time for sunset views from above the canyon rim.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day tour to lakes and canyon

• Hotel pickup at 6:00 AM
• Drive 4 hours to Kolsai Lake
• Explore Kolsai Lake and optional lunch
• Drive 15 minutes to Kaindy Lake parking
• Walk 15 minutes or take horse/UAZ to Kaindy Lake
• Drive 2.5 hours to Charyn Canyon
• Explore Black Canyon with short walks
• Enjoy sunset views at Charyn Canyon
• Optional safari vehicle ride in canyon
• Drive 3 hours back to Almaty
• Drop off at hotel around 8:00 PM

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Almaty hotel at 5:30 AM in a comfortable 4x4 SUV. The drive to Kolsay Lake takes about four hours across steppe landscapes, mountains and village roads. You'll have a couple of hours to explore the lake, swim if you want, and take photos. Lunch is optional at a restaurant overlooking the water. The guide speaks English, Spanish, German, Russian and two other languages, so you can ask them to photograph you or explain what you're seeing along the way.

From Kolsay, it's a 15-minute drive to Kaindy Lake. The walk from the parking area to the lake takes another 15 minutes on an easy path. If you'd rather not walk, you can ride a horse or take a local UAZ shuttle for an extra cost. Kaindy is famous for its submerged tree stumps sticking up through the water: a result of a 1911 landslide that dammed the valley. After Kaindy, you continue 100 km south toward Charyn Canyon, a drive of about two and a half hours.

You'll arrive at Charyn Canyon just in time for sunset. The canyon is known for its dark volcanic rock formations, steep cliffs and a winding river far below. Your guide will point out the geology and share facts about the landscape. An optional safari shuttle (extra cost) takes you deeper into the canyon if you want more views. The drive back to Almaty takes about three hours, with drop-off at your hotel around 8:00 PM. Bottled water and WiFi are on board for the whole day.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a 4x4 SUV.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• live guide in your choice of language.
• entrance fees to Kolsay Lake, Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon.
• bottled water.
• WiFi on board.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• parking fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 75 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (6 to 9 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by WILD NOMADS

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup at 5:30 AM means you don't need a car or a ride to start the day, and the private jeep settles the logistics for someone staying in Almaty without transport. You're collected and returned on schedule, with the guide handling all the stops and timing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German, Russian, Korean and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (6 to 9 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the drive to Kolsay Lake from Almaty?

The drive to Kolsay Lake takes about four hours, covering roughly 300 kilometers through steppe and mountain landscapes.

Can I walk to Kaindy Lake or do I have to take the shuttle?

The walk from the parking area to Kaindy Lake is 15 minutes on an easy path, so you can walk. If you prefer not to walk, a local UAZ shuttle or horse ride is available for an extra cost.

What time do we arrive at Charyn Canyon?

You'll arrive at Charyn Canyon in time for sunset, which is when the tour reaches the canyon for golden hour views from above the rim.

What's included in the tour price?

Private transportation in a 4x4 SUV, hotel pickup and drop-off, a live guide, entrance fees to all three lakes and the canyon, bottled water, WiFi on board, air conditioning, fuel and parking fees are all included. Lunch, horse rides, the UAZ shuttle to Kaindy, and the canyon safari shuttle are optional extras.