Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes day tour from Almaty

Three remote lakes and canyons in one day, without arranging the logistics yourself

A private day tour from Almaty visits Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake and Kolsay Lakes with a live English or Russian-speaking guide, private air-conditioned transport, lunch and all entry fees. The route covers the Canyon's Valley of Castles (a 2.5 km stretch up to 80 meters deep), a flooded forest lake formed by a 1911 earthquake, and the first of three alpine lakes at 1,818 meters. The day runs 12 to 14 hours.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes

• Drive from Almaty to Charyn Canyon
• Explore Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon
• Hike or ride open roof car in Canyon
• Drive to Saty village for lunch
• Drive to Kaindy lake with car changes
• Walk 15 minutes to Kaindy lake
• Enjoy free time at Kaindy lake
• Drive to Kolsay lake via Saty village
• Visit first Kolsay lake

The experience

The drive from Almaty to Charyn Canyon takes two and a half hours by private car. The Canyon itself stretches roughly 150 kilometers and reaches 300 meters deep in places. You'll spend time in the Valley of Castles, a 2.5 km section carved 20 to 80 meters into the rock. If you want to hike, a 2.5 km walk on one side leads down to the Charyn River. If not, an open-roof vehicle lets you see the canyon and river from above. The choice is yours depending on how much walking suits the day.

After the canyon, you head to Saty village for lunch at a local guest house or yurt, then spend about 40 minutes reaching Kaindy Lake. The approach involves two vehicle changes to older cars suited to the terrain, followed by a 15-minute walk to the water. Kaindy sits at 2,000 meters and is geologically young: formed in 1911 when an earthquake triggered a limestone landslide that dammed the gorge and flooded a forest of spruce trees. You'll have around an hour to walk the shoreline and take in the lake.

The final stop is Kolsay Lakes, reached by driving back through Saty village. These three alpine lakes sit at different elevations (1,800, 2,250 and 2,700 meters). The tour visits the first one at 1,818 meters, which stretches 1 kilometer long and 300 meters wide. The full day ends back in Almaty after 12 to 14 hours on the road and at the sites.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from Almaty.
• one liter of water per person.
• lunch at a local guest house or yurt (local or vegetarian cuisine on request).
• all park entry fees and taxes.
• live guide in English or Russian.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (19 to 61 years) · Senior (62 to 80 years) · Youth (15 to 18 years) · Child (2 to 14 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Almaty Inspiration Tour

Is this one for you?The day involves roughly 12 to 14 hours on the road and at three separate sites, with a 2.5 kilometer hike optional at the canyon and a 15-minute walk required to reach Kaindy Lake. Book this tour if you want to see all three landscapes in a single day and don't mind the length and pace of travel between them.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 18 years); Child (2 to 14 years); Infant (under 2): free.

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 far is it from Almaty to Charyn Canyon?

The drive from Almaty to Charyn Canyon takes two and a half hours by private car.

What is the Valley of Castles at Charyn Canyon?

The Valley of Castles is a 2.5 kilometer section of Charyn Canyon carved 20 to 80 meters deep into the rock, known for its dramatic layered formations.

Can I hike at Charyn Canyon or do I stay in the car?

You can choose: a 2.5 kilometer hike on one side descends to the Charyn River, or you can ride in an open-roof vehicle to see the canyon and river from above.

What is Kaindy Lake and how did it form?

Kaindy Lake sits at 2,000 meters altitude and was formed in 1911 when an earthquake triggered a limestone landslide that created a natural dam and flooded a forest of spruce trees, creating an unusual flooded-forest landscape.

How much time do I spend at each lake?

You'll have around one hour at Kaindy Lake to walk the shoreline, and the tour visits the first of the three Kolsay Lakes (at 1,818 meters) as part of the full-day itinerary.