Kazakhstan · Geological Wonders

5-Day Nature Tour from Almaty with Charyn, Kolsay and Kaiyndy

5 Days Round trip from Almaty Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Marvel at Lake Kapchagay and the Ili River's historic fortress
02 Experience the unique roar of the Singing Dune and hike the Aktau Mountains
03 Relax in Chundja's mineral-rich hot springs after exploring Zharkent's historic sites
04 Discover unique rock formations at Charyn Canyon and enjoy the serene Kolsay Lakes
05 Hike or ride on horseback to Kaiyndy Lake and see its surreal flooded fir trees

Experience an adventurous 5-day tour through Kazakhstan, from the scenic shores of Lake Kapchagay and the Ili River's historic fortress to the roaring Singing Dune and the striking moonscape of the Aktau Mountains. Continue through Zharkent's historic sites and unwind in the mineral-rich hot springs near Chundja. The journey ends with the breathtaking Charyn Canyon, the picturesque Kolsay Lakes, and mysterious Kaiyndy Lake with its flooded fir trees rising above the water.

At the lake, you will see the mysterious sight of flooded fir tree tops rising above the surface.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Almaty, Kapsagay, Zharkent, Charyn National Park, Kolsay Lakes National Park

Languages English, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Almaty to Lake Kapchagay and Basshi Village

We will travel 60 km to Lake Kapchagay near Konayev city and enjoy the picturesque view of the lake from the bridge.
We will stop to take photos. After that, we will continue our trip to the Ili River to see the fortress built for the historic blockbuster about Kazakhstan, "NOMAD."
We will have a one-hour hike there and then continue our trip to Basshi Village, where we will stay overnight in a local hotel and enjoy Kazakh national food.

Day 02

The Singing Dune and the Aktau Mountains

We begin our day with a hearty breakfast before visiting the Singing Dune. This natural wonder offers picturesque views of the Ili River, and you may even spot some wildlife along the way.
The unique feature of this dune is that it produces a roar similar to that of a jet taking off from the ground. If you are a skilled skater, you can skate from the Singing Dune or slide down on your feet or bottom to hear the roar.
After visiting the Singing Dune, we will continue our trip to the moonscape of the Aktau Mountains. These mountains never fail to take my breath away every time I visit them.
Upon arrival, we will have lunch. The hotel provides lunch boxes for travellers upon request. After lunch, we will take a two-hour hike before sunset and then return to the hotel in Basshi Village, where we will stay overnight.

Day 03

Zharkent and Chundja Hot Springs

After a hot shower - or a cold one, if you wish - and breakfast, we will travel to Zharkent city to visit some historic places. Following lunch in a local cafe, we will head to the hot springs near Chundja town.
After watching the sunset, you can enjoy a hot bath in mineral water. Taking a hot mineral water bath after a day trip provides maximum pleasure and relaxation. Meals and accommodation are provided at the hotel in the hot springs.
This is a very popular place, so booking at least one month in advance is advisable.

Day 04

Charyn Canyon and Kolsay Lakes

After breakfast and one last swim in the healing waters, we will travel to Charyn Canyon. The grandeur of this canyon never fails to impress me. We will descend into the gorge to experience this unreal natural museum displaying unique sculptures formed by nature.
After a 1-hour hike, we will reach the Valley of Castles and picnic by the river. After some time to relax and enjoy the surroundings, we will return to our car by tourist bus.
Our journey continues to Kolsay Lakes, offering picturesque views of mountains, valleys, and rivers.
Upon reaching the first Kolsay Lake, we will take a short hike and, if time allows, go boating at sunset. We will spend the night at a local guest house in Saty village.

Day 05

Kaiyndy Lake, Saty, and Return to Almaty

We wake up early and, after breakfast, head to the top of the mountains to watch the sunrise. From there, we can enjoy a magnificent view of the valley and the river below. The trek to the top takes about 2-2.5 hours.
After that, we will return in time for a local 4WD tourist vehicle to take us to Kaiyndy Lake. You can ride on horseback to the lake or hike from the parking area.
The hike takes around 1 hour, while a horse ride takes only 30 minutes. To fully enjoy the trip, I recommend taking a horse to save your energy.
At the lake, you will see the mysterious sight of flooded fir tree tops rising above the surface. You can take a break at the lake or hike to the other side if you cannot resist seeing more.
We will have lunch in Saty village at a local cafe, and then return to Almaty, with a chance to see the White Canyon on the way.