Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour: Discover Kazakhstan's Natural Wonders

Explore the stunning natural wonders of Kazakhstan on our small-group tour! Visit Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, and experience the beauty of Central Asia with comfortable transport, an English-speaking guide, and local food.

Duration: 15 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Charyn Canyon National Park - 05:00 Departure from Almaty
    07:00 Brief stop for coffee and restroom break
    08:30 Arrival at Charyn Canyon “Valley of the Castles,” exploring various viewpoints and walking along the canyon
    10:00 Departure from Charyn Canyon
  • Charyn National Park - Black Canyon, scenic viewpoint, photography
  • Lake Kaindy -…
What's Included
  • National parks entrance fees
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch
  • Transfer to Kaindy Lake on the legendary Soviet van UAZ-452
What's Not Included
  • Soft & Hard drinks
  • Special food & drinks
  • Horseback-riding 7000kzt (13$)
  • Taxi van instead of hiking 500KZT (1,5$)
Additional Information

Welcome to Kazakhstan! Experience the remarkable Charyn Canyon and the stunning Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, the jewels of the Tian-Shan mountains. We prioritize our tourists’ comfort by offering convenient transportation, an English-speaking guide, and authentic local cuisine. Join our small group tours to explore the most breathtaking locations in Central…

Location
Charyn Canyon National Park
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(357 Ratings)
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Aileena912
Jun 11, 2025
Wonderful Experience! - I recently had the chance to visit this beautiful country of Kazakhstan specifically, Almaty, and it was an unforgettable experience! Kolsay and Kaindy lakes were absolutely stunning — crystal clear, peaceful, and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Just sitting by the water felt like therapy. We also explored the Charyn canyons, which were equally impressive. The views were dramatic and awe-inspiring — perfect for anyone who loves nature and adventure. Make yourself ready for the long hikes, wear hiking or comfortable shoes however if you don't wanna walk there is always an option for a taxi or horseback riding. And let me not forget the food — homemade and incredibly delicious! Plov! a must try! I would like to thank Assem, our tour guide who was extremely supportive and making sure everyone in the group felt included, safe, and engaged throughout the journey. Highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a mix of natural beauty, adventure, and comfort!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthew_c
Jun 10, 2025
Incredible Tour - Incredible tour. Had an amazing time. Great to see the highlights around Almaty. It’s a long tour. But heaps of stops and incredible sights along the way. Lunch with the local family is beautify. Can recommend this tour if you want to see a real experience of Kazakhstan 🇰🇿
Review provided by Viator
Tesha013
Jun 10, 2025
Exceptional One-Day Adventure in Kazakhstan - We had an amazing one-day tour with Kazakhstan Very Nice to Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake. The service was excellent—a big shoutout to our guide, Nurshan. He may be young, but he was definitely knowledgeable, friendly, and professional. Although some parts of the road were bumpy, our skilled driver made sure we were always safe and comfortable. Kazakhstan truly surprised us—it's a budget-friendly destination with delicious local food and affordable transportation. The natural landscapes were absolutely breathtaking, and the entire experience was well worth it. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Xianni_a
Jun 9, 2025
Good Long Day Trip - It’s a long long day, but it’s a very nice trip. Guide speak good English, food is nice, view is great. .
Review provided by Viator
Odyssey691067
Jun 9, 2025
Canyons & Lakes Tour - Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake and Kolsai Lake are scenic and fascinating at the same time. Our guide, Nurzhan, explained the historical formations of the places we visited. He was always ready to assist, and answer the questions and queries of anyone in the group. He ensures that anyone is not lost.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Umair_k
Jun 9, 2025
Great tour if you want cover all the highlights in one day. - Great trip organised by a great tour operator. Our guide Nariya was amazing and was very knowledgeable about her beautiful country. This trip was long and started very early but it was worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Mariajosephin
Jun 9, 2025
Diverse tour of beautiful spots in Almaty! - Brilliant tour - thank you to our guide Mike. All places we visited were beautiful - especially enjoyed the lunch spot and the crazy bus ride to the mountains!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paradise524143
Jun 9, 2025
Kolsay, Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon Tour - We booked last minute and was surprised that everything went well! From the moment our tour began, it was clear we were in expert hands. Nur was right on time, incredibly warm, patient, and organized — everything you could hope for in a guide. Whether we were hiking through the misty trails of Kaindy Lake, exploring the surreal beauty of Charyn Canyon, or enjoying traditional Kazakh meals in a cozy guesthouse in Saty village,he made every moment smooth and unforgettable. What stood out the most was his attention to detail and genuine care for each traveler’s experience. They managed logistics flawlessly, offered fascinating stories and context at every stop, and always made time for our questions Even during the rainy stretch of our trip, they adapted quickly, ensuring we were safe, dry, and still able to enjoy the full experience. If you’re thinking of exploring Kazakhstan — especially its stunning and hidden alpine lakes — I can’t recommend this Nurshan enough. They don’t just show you the country. They help you feel it. Thank you Nur and colleague! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carmelar669
Jun 8, 2025
Had a blast in Kazakhstan! Breathtaking views, friendly people, and the perfect place to relax and unwind. - We had a wonderful trip in Kazakhstan! Our tour guide, Didi, was incredibly accommodating, full of energy, and made sure we all had an amazing time. She constantly surprised us with little extras and always checked in to make sure everyone was okay. Highly recommended! We’ll definitely be coming back to Kazakhstan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daydream35528851200
Jun 10, 2025
Excellent - Excellent tour at all levels with one exception: although the driver is professional, he gets sometimes distracted on his phone or with the passenger next to him which makes everyone nervous. That’s why I removed one start. Other than this, the tour is recommended 100%. Our guide Diddy and her trainee “the Star” were both very kind to us. P.S: if you never did horse back-riding in your life before, I don’t recommend trying it out during this tour as a first experience. It might be a little overwhelming
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $58
up to 13 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).