Charyn Canyon & Kaindy Lake tour from Almaty: 14-hour day trip

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.00 (4 reviews)

Free cancellation

1/27

Duration14h

GroupUp to 100

LanguagesEN · AR

PickupAt your hotel

Two lakes and a canyon carved into red rock, all in one long day from the city.

A 14-hour guided tour from Almaty takes you to three natural sites southeast of the city: Charyn Canyon with its distinctive red rock formations, Kaindy Lake reached by a 2km walk from the parking area, and Lower Kolsai Lake in Kolsai Lakes National Park. The tour includes park entrance fees, an air-conditioned vehicle with hotel pickup, a hearty lunch at Saty village, and a live guide in English or Arabic. Boating and horse-riding are available as optional add-ons at checkout.

14h

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour to Charyn Canyon and lakes

05:00 Pick-up from Almaty
07:00 Short stop for coffee and WC
08:40 Arrive at Charyn Canyon
Visit several spots and walk along canyon
Photograph at Black Canyon viewing spot
12:00 Arrive at Saty Village
Transfer to Kaindy Lake parking
Walk or ride horses/taxi 2km to Kaindy Lake
14:30 Lunch in guesthouse at Saty
16:00 Transfer to Lower Kolsai Lake
17:00 Leave Kolsai Lakes National Park
20:30 Short stop for coffee and WC
22:00 Drop-off in Almaty

The Experience

The day starts before dawn—pickup from your Almaty hotel at 5am, a short coffee stop at 7am, then arrival at Charyn Canyon by 8:40. You walk along the canyon floor, visiting the Black Canyon and a viewing spot for photographs, spending the morning among the red rock formations the canyon is known for. At noon you reach Saty village and transfer to the parking point for Kaindy Lake; from there it's a 2km walk to the water, though you can arrange a horse or taxi for that stretch instead.

Lunch happens at a guesthouse in Saty—a hearty meal and a break before the afternoon leg. At 4pm you transfer to Lower Kolsai Lake, the third stop, and leave the national park by 5pm. The return to Almaty takes the evening, with another coffee stop at 8:30pm and drop-off around 10pm. The vehicle is air-conditioned and the route covers ground; this is a full day of driving and walking, not a leisurely pace.

Your guide speaks English or Arabic throughout. National park entrance fees are included, as is bottled water. If the 2km walk to Kaindy Lake feels like too much, you have the option to hire a horse or local taxi on the spot—that's not included in the tour price but available when you arrive. The tour runs year-round and suits most fitness levels, though it's not recommended for young children under 5, pregnant travelers, or anyone with spinal or cardiovascular concerns.

What’s included

National park entrance fees for all three sites.
pickup and drop-off from your Almaty hotel.
air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
a live guide in English or Arabic.
a hearty lunch with snacks at Saty village.
bottled water throughout the day.
transfer to Kaindy Lake parking in a Soviet-era UAZ-452 van.

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Nomad Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you're ready for a full day of driving (5:00 AM pickup, 10 PM return) to visit three landscapes; choose the horse option at Kaindy Lake if you want to skip the 2 km walk, or walk if you prefer to save on costs.