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

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.

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.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday to SaturdayDeparts at 05:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (13 to 34 years) · Senior (65 to 70 years) · Youth (12 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 100 · max 5 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 11.50

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with 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.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

What is the "Valley of the Castles" at Charyn Canyon?

Charyn Canyon is a red rock formation southeast of Almaty, carved by the Charyn River. The section called "Valley of the Castles" is where the canyon walls form distinctive shapes that resemble castle towers. You walk along the canyon floor and visit viewing spots for photographs.

How long is the walk to Kaindy Lake, and do I have to do it on foot?

The walk from the parking area to Kaindy Lake is 2km. You can walk it, or arrange a horse or taxi at the village of Saty instead. The horse and taxi options are not included in the tour price but are available when you arrive.

What time does the tour pick me up and drop me off?

Pickup from your Almaty hotel is at 5am. Drop-off back in Almaty is around 10pm, making this a 14-hour day with a coffee stop on the return journey at 8:30pm.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Yes, a hearty lunch with snacks is included and served at a guesthouse in Saty village at 12:30pm, between Kaindy Lake and Lower Kolsai Lake.

Can I add boating or horse-riding to this tour?

Boating and horse-riding are available as optional add-ons at checkout for 5,000 KZT per person (about $1.50 USD). You arrange these when you book, not on the day itself.