Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes, Charyn Canyon tour from Almaty

Five natural wonders, one full day: canyon walls, a forest underwater, and two mountain lakes

A full-day tour from Almaty visiting Charyn Canyon, Moon Canyon, Black Canyon, Kaindy Lake and Kolsai Lake with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup at 5 AM, and lunch at a local guesthouse in Saty village. The route covers roughly 15 hours and includes all national park entrance fees. Choose the private option if your group wants to set its own pace. The small-group version shares the van and the cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore lakes and canyons near Almaty

• 05:00 Pick-up from Almaty
• 07:00 Coffee and restroom break
• 08:30 Visit Charyn Canyon and walk
• 10:00 Depart Charyn Canyon
• Visit Moon Canyon landscape
• Visit and photograph Black Canyon
• 12:00 Arrive Saty village and transfer to Kaindy Lake
• Walk or ride horses to Kaindy Lake
• 14:30 Lunch at guesthouse in Saty
• 16:00 Transfer to Lower Kolsai Lake
• 17:00 Leave Kolsai Lakes National Park
• 20:30 Coffee and restroom break
• 22:00 Drop-off in Almaty

The experience

The day starts before dawn with pickup from your Almaty hotel at 5 AM. By 8:30 you're walking the red rock walls of Charyn Canyon, often called the little brother of the Grand Canyon. The stone has been carved over millions of years into towering formations. The guide takes you to several viewpoints along the canyon floor, then you move on to Moon Canyon, a pale section of the same formation that looks like a lunar landscape, and Black Canyon with its dark volcanic cliffs. Coffee and a bathroom stop happen on the drive between sites.

At noon you reach Saty village and transfer to Kaindy Lake, where a legendary Soviet UAZ-452 off-road van takes you as far as the parking point. From there it's a 2 km walk to the lake itself. You can hire horses or a taxi van instead if you prefer not to walk. The lake is a submerged forest: spruce trees rise straight out of crystal-clear turquoise water, creating a landscape that looks like nothing else. Lunch happens at 2:30 PM at a local family's guesthouse in the village, where you eat hearty Kazakh food (vegetarian options are available). This meal is what many guests say is the highlight of the day.

The afternoon takes you to Lower Kolsai Lake, ringed by pine forests and mountain peaks. You leave the national park at 5 PM and head back toward Almaty, with another coffee stop around 8:30 PM before dropping back at your hotel around 10 PM. The full day is roughly 15 hours door-to-door. All national park entrance fees and bottled water are included. The van is air-conditioned for the long stretches between sites.

What’s included

• National park entrance fees for all five sites.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• hearty lunch of local Kazakh cuisine with a vegetarian option.
• English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup from Almaty at 5 AM.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small-group tour of Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn CanyonGuide in English · 05:30

Private tour of the Lakes & CanyonGuide in English · 06:00Private tour of the Lakes & Canyon: fully private, with a flexible itinerary, ideal for couples, friends and families

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 05:30 and 06:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (6 to 60 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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.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 today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kazakhstan Very Nice

Is this one for you?The private option suits groups who want to linger at each stop without keeping others waiting. The small-group tour works if you're traveling solo or with one or two others and want to share the cost. The route and the lunch are the same either way.

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Top questions

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 do I get to Kaindy Lake once we arrive at Saty village?

From the parking point, it's a 2 km walk to Kaindy Lake. You can hire horses or a taxi van instead of walking if you prefer.

What time does the tour start and when do we get back to Almaty?

Hotel pickup is at 5 AM. You return to Almaty around 10 PM, making it a roughly 15-hour day.

Is lunch included, and what if I'm vegetarian?

Yes, lunch at a local family's guesthouse in Saty village is included. Vegetarian options are available.

What is Kaindy Lake actually like?

Kaindy Lake is a submerged forest where spruce trees rise directly out of crystal-clear turquoise water. The trees were submerged decades ago when an earthquake created a natural dam.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The day involves a 2 km walk to Kaindy Lake, long stretches in the van, and walking along the canyon floor. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or conditions that limit physical ability.

What's the difference between the private tour and the small-group tour?

The private tour is for your group only with a flexible pace and personalized attention. The small-group tour shares the van and the guide with other travelers, which keeps the cost lower.