Name: Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour
SKU: 442441P1
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.9 (1074 reviews)

WizardTrip

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour

4.9(1.1 k)· Almaty· By Kazakhstan Very Nice Watch the video

Free cancellation

From

€54per person

1 to 13 travelers per booking.

Options1 of 2 available on this day

Time

1 × Adult × €254.30€254.30

Total€254.30

About the activity

Welcome to Kazakhstan! Discover five stunning natural wonders in a single, unforgettable day trip from Almaty. Begin your journey at the iconic Charyn Canyon, where towering red rock walls, sculpted over millions of years, evoke the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Continue to the enigmatic Black Canyon, characterized by its dark volcanic cliffs, and the surreal Moon Canyon, with pale formations resembling a lunar landscape. Next, embark on an adventurous ride in a legendary Soviet UAZ-452 off-road van to Kaindy Lake. Here, a submerged forest awaits, with spruce trees rising from crystal-clear turquoise waters. Conclude your day at the serene Kolsai Lake, nestled amidst pine forests and majestic mountain peaks. Midway through your adventure, savor a homemade lunch at a local family's home in Saty village, a true taste of Kazakh hospitality that many of our guests describe as the highlight of the day. Opt for a Private Tour for an exclusive experience on the same epic route, enjoying a flexible pace, personalized attention, and no other travelers.

What's included

✓Entrance fees to national parks
✓Bottled water
✓Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
✓A hearty lunch featuring local cuisine (vegetarian option available)

What is not included

✕Soft and hard drinks
✕Special food and drinks
✕Horseback riding (7000 KZT / $13)
✕Taxi van service instead of hiking (1000 KZT / $2)

Itinerary

1
Charyn Canyon National Park
05:00: Pick-up and departure from Almaty. 07:00: Brief stop for coffee and restroom facilities. 08:30: Arrival at Charyn Canyon's "Valley of the Castles." Explore various viewpoints and enjoy a walk along the canyon. 10:00: Departure from Charyn Canyon.
· 1 h
2
Uzunbulak Canyon (Moon Canyon)
Moon Canyon presents a distinctive, pale-colored section of Kazakhstan's Charyn Canyon. It is renowned for its smooth, moon-like terrain that offers a striking contrast to the canyon's vibrant red cliffs.
· 20 min
3
Charyn National Park
Visit the Black Canyon for stunning views and photography opportunities. Entrance fee included.
· 20 min· Admission included
4
Lake Kaindy
12:00: Arrive at Saty village and transfer to Lake Kaindy. At Kaindy Lake, the vehicle will take you to the parking area. From there, it's a 2km walk to the lake. Alternatively, you can opt for horseback riding or a taxi. 14:30: Transfer back to Saty village. 14:30: Enjoy lunch at a local guesthouse.
· 2 h· Admission included
5
Kolsai Lake
16:00: Transfer to the Lower Kolsai Lake from Saty. 17:00: Depart from Kolsai Lakes National Park. 20:30: Short stop for coffee and restroom facilities. 22:00: Drop-off in Almaty.
· 1 h· Admission included

How to use your ticket

Your mobile or paper ticket is accepted. One ticket is required per booking.

Meeting point and return

Meeting point

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Practical information

This tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries.
This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.
This tour is not recommended for travelers with cardiovascular health issues.
Participants should possess a moderate level of physical fitness.
This tour is unsuitable for individuals who cannot tolerate long car journeys, extensive walking, or hiking.
This tour is not suitable for travelers with disabilities or injuries that limit physical capabilities.
This experience is weather-dependent. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of participants. If canceled due to not meeting the minimum, you will be offered an alternative date/experience or a full refund.
Not recommended for children under 6 years of age.

Activity options

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour
Private tour to Lakes & Canyon
Experience a fully private tour with a flexible itinerary, ideal for couples, friends, and families.

Duration

15 h

How to prepare for your experience

Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
Bring layers of clothing as mountain weather can change quickly.
Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, especially during summer months.
Ensure you have enough local currency for optional activities like horseback riding or taxi services.
Stay hydrated by drinking the provided bottled water.
Be prepared for a long day of travel and exploration.

Embark on an epic day trip from Almaty to discover the natural wonders of Kazakhstan, including the breathtaking Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes and the dramatic Charyn Canyon.

Cancellation conditions

For a full refund, please cancel at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure time.

Any questions?

Product code: 442441P1

Activity offered by Kazakhstan Very Nice via Viator.

Who is this activity suitable for?

Nature lovers
Adventure seekers
Photographers
Travelers seeking cultural experiences

Activity essentials

Explore three distinct canyons: Charyn, Black, and Moon Canyon.
Witness the unique submerged forest of Kaindy Lake.
Relax by the picturesque Kolsai Lake.
Enjoy an authentic homemade Kazakh lunch with a local family.
Experience the thrill of an off-road UAZ-452 van ride.
Benefit from hotel pick-up and drop-off services.

Almaty: good to know

Population: 2,228,675 (2024)
Elevation: 893 m
Currency: Kazakhstani tenge
Official languages: Kazakh, Russian
Driving: on the right
Power plugs: C, F · 220 V
Emergency number: 112
Capital city: Astana

Average temperatures

-13°Jan
-11°Feb
-3°Mar
3°Apr
7°May
11°Jun
14°Jul
13°Aug
8°Sept
2°Oct
-5°Nov
-11°Dec

Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.

Frequently asked questions

What is the duration of the tour?

The tour lasts for 15 hours.

Is hotel pick-up included?

Yes, hotel pick-up is available starting from 5 AM.

Are entrance fees included in the tour price?

Yes, all national park entrance fees are included.

What are the options if I don't want to walk to Kaindy Lake?

You can opt for horseback riding (7000 KZT / $13) or a taxi van service (1000 KZT / $2) instead of walking the 2km.

Is a vegetarian lunch option available?

Yes, a vegetarian option is available for the hearty local lunch.

What is the cancellation policy?

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

Reviews

4.94.9(1.1 k)

5 stars

982

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Reviews provided by Viator, written by travellers on Viator and Tripadvisor.

★★★★★Tripadvisor review
An unforgettable tour with the best guide!
Getaway59727611385, October 2026
I did the Charyn, Kaindy, and Kolsay Lakes tour, and it was an absolute highlight of my trip. The landscapes are breathtaking, but what made it truly special was our tour guide, Jibek.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Excellent day trip
cbryson13, October 2026
This trip is amazing. It is a long day, but really worth making the effort for. The Canyon is beautiful and the lakes are so impressive. The driver and the guide were excellent, we were never rushed and there was a lot of time at each stop to explore and appreciate what we were seeing.
★★★★★Viator review
Action packed tour, core memories made
Marcus_H, October 2026
As a solo traveller, there's a lot of choices to be made on such a short time, is this the right tour for me? The answer is YES, you're probably reading this from the comfort of your own home miles away thinking about this tour, BOOK IT! Yes, it's a long day but it's absolutely worth it, you see some amazing places. Kaindy lake is the highlight for sure, it's the main reason I visited. We were taken around by our guide Ayau, she was incredible, well spoken in English and she can even speak 4 languages! We were asking her questions all day and even had a sing song on the bus across the Kazakh desert roads 😂 Ayau is a credit to the organisation and also as a solo traveller, a fantastic photographer! Book this tour, you won't regret it. There are stops along the way that require coins for toilets, the bus had USB-C charger points too! There's also a stop off with some eagles where you get 15 minutes, you can pay much cheaper rate than Shymbulak, save your Tenge!
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
We enjoyed more than we thought
dwaipayanb2018, October 2026
The trip was excellent. They arranged pickup from hotel. Then we met Ayau, our guide. She was so nice and helpful. She told us stories of Kazak history and cultures. Gave us enough time to visit each place. And the luch they supplied was really good. I must say Ayau is one of the best guide I ever saw.
★★★★★Tripadvisor review
Landscsoe nature sround! Worth a lot
caio_goulart, October 2026
Very nice day tours! And escape for the city to nature! Ok, most time on the road, but the places are awesome! Is long like 16 hours, but worth

2 activities · Kazakhstan

Almaty, Kazakhstan, has 2 activities, tours and experiences to book.

01Activities to book

The best experiences in Almaty

2 in the catalogue

Top pick

Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour

from €145★ 4.9

Top pick

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour

from €54★ 4.9

All activities · Almaty · 2

Frequently asked questions about Almaty

What is there to do in Almaty?

Almaty has 2 activities, tours and day trips you can book online. Among the most booked: « Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour », « Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour ».

What are the top-rated activities in Almaty?

According to traveller reviews: « Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour » (4.9/5, 1,075 reviews) ; « Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour » (4.9/5, 581 reviews).