Charyn Canyon Private Tour: Valley of Castles & Alpine Lakes
Walk through red canyon walls, then stand among trees that rise from turquoise water.
A private tour from Almaty to three of Kazakhstan's most dramatic landscapes: Charyn Canyon's red rock formations, Kaiyndy Lake's submerged forest, and the alpine Kolsay Lakes. Your guide leads you through each site at a pace you set, with hotel pickup, meals and an air-conditioned vehicle included. The itinerary runs about 15 to 18 hours total, with roughly 9 hours spent at the three stops themselves.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Explore Charyn Canyon, Kaiyndy, and Kolsay Lakes
- Visit Charyn Canyon Valley of Castles
- Walk canyon paths and take photos
- Explore Kaiyndy Lake sunken forest
- Walk around Kaiyndy Lake
- Visit Kolsay Lakes alpine series
- Enjoy lakeside walk and mountain views
What’s included
- Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- in-person guide.
- hotel pickup.
- bottled water.
- coffee and tea.
- snacks.
- WiFi on board.
- all fees and taxes.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Tengri Trails
Prices and times updated 9 days ago
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The experience
The tour starts with Charyn Canyon, where you walk through the Valley of Castles: towering red and ochre rock formations carved by wind and water over millennia. The canyon's paths let you move at your own speed, stopping for photos of the glowing walls. From there, the route heads to Kaiyndy Lake, where an earthquake created a sunken forest: ancient trees stand half-submerged in crystal-clear turquoise water, their tops breaking the surface in an arrangement you won't see anywhere else. A walk around the lake's edge gives you time to absorb the quiet, strange beauty of the place.
The day ends at Kolsay Lakes, a series of alpine pools set into the Tian Shan mountains. Here the pace slows further: a lakeside walk, mountain air, reflections of peaks in still water. The total drive time between sites runs 6 to 8 hours, but your guide can adjust how long you spend at each stop based on what you want to do. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi, bottled water, coffee and tea, and snacks provided throughout the day. The tour operates as either a private booking or a shared group option. If you book private, the itinerary is yours alone to shape.
Is this one for you?Book the private tour if you want the itinerary shaped around your interests and pace. The group option works if you're comfortable with a set schedule and want to share the cost with other travelers.
Compare the 3 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Russian.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 17 years).
How much time do I actually spend walking at each site?
Charyn Canyon takes about 2 hours of walking time; Kaiyndy Lake takes around 3 hours; Kolsay Lakes takes about 4 hours. Your guide can adjust these based on your pace and interests, and the remaining time is spent driving between the three locations.
What is the sunken forest at Kaiyndy Lake?
An earthquake created a sinkhole that filled with water, leaving ancient trees partially submerged in the lake. The trees' tops still emerge above the turquoise surface, creating a surreal landscape where you can walk the shoreline and see them up close.
Do I need to be fit to do this tour?
The tour suits all physical fitness levels. The walks are at your own pace, and you can rest as much as you need. Infants and small children can come along, and service animals are welcome.
Can the guide adjust the itinerary if I want to spend more time at one place?
Yes. The stop times can be customized by your request, so if you want longer at Charyn Canyon or Kolsay Lakes, your guide can rearrange the schedule to fit what you want to do.
Charyn Canyon Private Tour: Valley of Castles & Alpine Lakes
15h–18h · EN +1 · at your hotel
from US$ 89 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.