2-Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyon Tour from Almaty

Three canyons and two alpine lakes in one trip, with a night in the mountains between them

A two-day guided tour from Almaty visiting Kolsai Lake, the sunken forest of Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon—including Black Canyon and Moon Canyon—with accommodation and meals in Saty village. The itinerary covers roughly 100 kilometers of mountain terrain, with guides speaking English, Russian and Kazakh; all park entry fees and transport from the city are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Travel to Saty village and stay

• Depart from Almaty
• Arrive in Saty village
• Check in guest houses

Day 2 — Visit Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

• Excursion around Kolsai Lake
• Excursion to Kaindy Lake by UAZ SUV

Day 3 — Explore Charyn Canyon and return

• Visit Black Canyon
• Discover Moon Canyon
• Explore Charyn Canyon
• Return to Almaty city

The Experience

The tour departs Almaty and climbs into the Tian Shan foothills toward Saty village, where you stay overnight in a guesthouse. This base puts you within reach of both lakes the next morning without the drive eating into daylight. Breakfast and dinner are served in the village; lunch comes during the day's excursions.

Day two splits between two lakes. Kolsai Lake sits at 2,254 meters and stretches across a glacial valley ringed by spruce forest—you walk the shoreline and can wade into the water if the weather holds. Kaindy Lake lies higher and narrower, famous for the submerged tree stumps that rise from its surface, remnants of a 1911 landslide that dammed the valley and drowned the forest. Both trips use UAZ SUVs to reach the trailheads, then proceed on foot.

Day three is canyon country. Black Canyon's dark rock walls and deep gorges take about an hour to walk; Moon Canyon, with its pale stone formations and open trails, takes another hour nearby. Both are inside Charyn National Park but less crowded than the main Charyn Canyon, which you explore last—a 2.5-hour hike through the dramatic cliffs and photo vantage points that give it the nickname Kazakhstan's Grand Canyon. The return to Almaty happens after the canyon, arriving in the evening.

What’s included

• Accommodation in Saty village guesthouses.
• breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the tour.
• transport from Almaty and between all sites via UAZ SUV.
• guided excursions to Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, Black Canyon, Moon Canyon and Charyn Canyon.
• all national park entry fees.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Joinme Asia

Is this one for you?At two days, the tour fits into a long weekend without eating into a full week's itinerary, and the overnight in Saty village means you see both lakes and all three canyons without backtracking. If you have only a single day in Almaty, this won't work; if you have three or more days, you could add a separate trip to the Turgen Gorge or Big Almaty Lake instead.

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Top questions

What is Kaindy Lake and why do people visit it?

Kaindy Lake formed in 1911 when a massive landslide dammed a valley and flooded a spruce forest. The tree stumps remain standing in the water, creating an otherworldly landscape of bleached wood rising from the surface. Visitors walk the shoreline and photograph the submerged forest.

How much walking and hiking is involved over the two days?

Day two includes walks around Kolsai Lake and Kaindy Lake, both on established trails at the water's edge. Day three involves three separate hikes: one hour at Black Canyon, one hour at Moon Canyon, and 2.5 hours through Charyn Canyon itself. The terrain is mountain footpath, not technical climbing.

What are Black Canyon and Moon Canyon, and how do they differ from the main Charyn Canyon?

Black Canyon and Moon Canyon are smaller gorges within Charyn National Park, located near the main Charyn Canyon. Black Canyon is named for its dark rock walls and deep gorges; Moon Canyon features pale, surreal rock formations and quieter trails. Both are less visited than the main canyon but equally dramatic in their own way.

Is the accommodation in Saty village comfortable, and what meals are provided?

You stay in guesthouses in Saty village with mountain views and local hospitality. Breakfast and dinner are served there; lunch is provided during the day's excursions on both days of activity.

Do I need to arrange my own transport from Almaty, or is pickup included?

Transport from Almaty to Saty village and between all the lakes and canyons is included in the tour. Guides speak English, Russian and Kazakh, and all park entry fees are covered.

What is the best time of year to take this tour?

The tour operates year-round, though late spring through early autumn (May to September) offers the warmest weather and clearest trails. Winter and early spring can bring snow at higher elevations, particularly around the lakes.