2-Day Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon Tour Almaty
Overview
This two-day group tour from Almaty gives the Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon the time they deserve. You travel by air-conditioned van or bus with an English-speaking guide, stop at Black Canyon and a traditional village, and spend the night at a mountain campsite in a yurt or shared room, with a bonfire in the evening. Choose the full package with accommodation and meals included, or the tour-only option and pay for the stay and meals on site. Pickup is from one of four points in Almaty.
Highlights
- Two days through the Almaty Region: Black Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon
- Night in a traditional yurt or a shared room at a mountain campsite
- Evening bonfire with entertainment under a starry sky
- National park admissions included in both options
- Pickup and drop-off at one of four designated points in Almaty
- English-speaking guide and comfortable air-conditioned transport
- Full package with two lunches, dinner and breakfast, or tour only with meals paid on site
Full Description
Black Canyon and the road from Almaty
The first stop is Black Canyon, a striking landscape of dark, layered rock a short distance from the better-known Charyn Canyon. It is a quick photo and walking stop that makes a good introduction to the badlands of the Almaty Region. Many travellers search for the best 2-day tour from Almaty to Kolsai and Charyn, and this stop shows why the route is worth two days.
The road from Almaty to the lakes passes steppe, villages and foothills, and the group breaks the journey with a stop at a local café. The van or bus is air-conditioned, and the guide talks about the region's geography and Kazakh traditions as you travel.
Kolsai Lakes National Park
The Kolsai Lakes lie in the Kungey Alatau range, in a national park where spruce forest surrounds the water and the mountains rise behind it. The group spends about two hours at the lake, with time to walk along the shore, take photos and enjoy the calm. Park admission is included in both options.
Kolsai is a favourite for travellers asking how to get to Kolsai Lakes from Almaty without driving themselves; a group tour handles the long road and the park fees. The best time to visit Kolsai Lake is from late spring to early autumn, when the road is open and the forest is green.
A night in a yurt at the campsite
In the evening the group reaches a campsite in the quiet foothills near a mountain river. You sleep in a shared yurt, with shared toilets and showers, or in a shared room with an en-suite bathroom, depending on what is available. Shower gel, shampoo and a towel are provided, and a bonfire and evening entertainment make the night a highlight of the tour.
Dinner and breakfast are included in the full package. In the tour-only option, accommodation and meals are paid on site at the start of the tour, so check the option you choose. Private accommodation can be requested separately. Vegetarian meals are available, but other special diets are not.
Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon on day two
On the second morning the group drives to Kaindy Lake, formed by an earthquake-triggered landslide in 1911, where the trunks of drowned spruce trees rise from turquoise water. You walk along the shore and can hike a little for better views. Kaindy Lake tickets are covered by the national park admissions.
In the afternoon the tour reaches Charyn Canyon, with its red sandstone Valley of Castles, and you spend around two and a half hours walking and taking photos. After lunch at a traditional village the group drives back to Almaty, arriving between 8 and 9 pm and being dropped at one of four points.
Itinerary
- Pickup in Almaty (day 1, 07:00)Meet at one of four designated points, chosen when you book.
- Café stop and Black CanyonA short break, then a photo and walking stop at Black Canyon.
- Traditional village lunchLunch in a village, with local hospitality.
- Kolsai LakeAbout two hours at the lake, walking and taking photos.
- Campsite overnightDinner, bonfire and entertainment, then a night in a yurt or shared room.
- Kaindy Lake (day 2)After breakfast, about three hours at the lake with the sunken spruce trunks.
- Lunch and Charyn CanyonLunch in a village, then about two and a half hours at Charyn Canyon.
- Return to AlmatyDrop-off at one of four points between 8 and 9 pm.
What's included
- Pickup and drop-off at selected meeting points
- Comfortable air-conditioned van or bus
- English-speaking tour guide
- National park admissions
- Bottled water
- Shower gel, shampoo and towel
- Bonfire and evening entertainment
Not included
- Shared yurt or room accommodation (paid on site)
- 2 lunches, dinner and breakfast (paid on site)
- Private accommodation (on request)
Not suitable for
- Pregnant women
- People with back or heart problems
- Wheelchair users
- People with respiratory issues or altitude sickness
- People who have had recent surgery
- People with a low level of fitness or motion sickness
- Baby strollers are not allowed
Meeting point
Pickup and drop-off are at one of four designated points in Almaty, which you choose when you book. The van or bus departs at 07:00 on the first day and returns to the city between 8 and 9 pm on the second day.
Important information
- Both options include pickup, transport, the guide, national park admissions, bottled water, toiletries and towel, and the bonfire.
- The full package also includes shared accommodation and two lunches, dinner and breakfast; the tour-only option requires you to pay for these on site.
- Accommodation is a shared yurt with shared toilets and showers, or a shared room with an en-suite bathroom; private accommodation is on request.
- Bring your passport, hiking shoes, warm clothing, a hat, sunscreen, rain gear, insect repellent and a power bank.
- Vegetarian meals are available, but special diets such as gluten-free cannot be arranged.
- Pre-trip information is sent a day before departure through the booking portal.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the 2-day Kolsai, Kaindy and Charyn tour from Almaty cost?
The price depends on the option and date. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, for adults, youths and children.
What is the difference between the two options?
The full package includes shared accommodation and two lunches, dinner and breakfast. The tour-only option covers the tour but you pay for accommodation and meals on site.
Is pickup included?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off at one of four designated points in Almaty is included, and you choose the point when you book.
How long is the tour?
Two days, leaving at 07:00 on day one and returning between 8 and 9 pm on day two.
Where do we sleep?
In a shared yurt with shared toilets and showers, or in a shared room with an en-suite bathroom. Private accommodation can be requested.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Children from five years can join, with separate youth and child categories in the booking panel. The programme includes long drives and walks.
Are vegetarian meals available?
Yes. Vegetarian options are available, but other special diets cannot be arranged.
What should I wear and bring?
Hiking shoes, warm layers, rain gear, a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a power bank and your passport.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Availability is shown in the booking panel. Booking a few days ahead is recommended, especially for the full package.
How much walking is involved?
The tour is of average difficulty, with several short walks and a longer hike or walk at Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon.
