Kazakhstan · Rural Experiences

2-Day Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes Tour with Charyn Canyon from Almaty

2 Days Round trip from Almaty Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Marvel at the beautiful Charyn Canyon
02 Admire the gorgeous Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes
03 Eat local delicacies and learn about local culture
04 Visit the local market in Baiseit village
05 Enjoy an open-air barbeque

Embark on this short 2-day trip to the gorgeous valleys of the Kolsay Lakes. Spend the night in Saty village, enjoy daily walks or horse rides, and savour local homemade meals. Visit the stunning Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes, explore the local market in Baiseit village, and marvel at the beautiful Charyn Canyon.

13:30: Arrive at Kolsay Lake for hiking or horse riding to the second Kolsay Lake.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Almaty, Sharyn Canyon, Kolsay Lakes National Park

Languages English, Polish, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Almaty to Kolsay Lake and Saty Village

07:00: Depart from your hotel in Almaty and meet your tour guide.
08:30: Stop at a road market in Baiseit village.
12:00: Enjoy a homemade lunch in Saty village, 12 km from Kolsay Lake.
13:30: Arrive at Kolsay Lake for hiking or horse riding to the second Kolsay Lake.
18:30: Leave Kolsay Lake.
19:15: Reach a local home residence in Saty village, 12 km from Kaindy Lake, and enjoy an open-air barbeque.

Day 02

Saty Village, Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon to Almaty

07:00: Have breakfast and depart for Kaindy Lake.
09:00: Arrive at Kaindy Lake for a walk or horse ride to the lake and a panoramic viewpoint.
11:00: Leave Kaindy Lake.
12:00: Reach Saty village, enjoy a homemade lunch, and drive to Charyn Canyon.
15:45: Take an SUV tour inside the canyon and enjoy a coffee break.
21:30: Return to Almaty to end the tour.

Where this trip takes you

Kolsay Lake shore, Kaindy Lake submerged forest, Charyn Canyon cliffs

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Almaty 3 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Car and fuel
English-speaking Kazakhstan driver/guide
Coffee

What's Not Included

Meals
Accommodation
Entrance fees

Know before you go

Kolsay Lakes are a system of 3 picturesque lakes located 330 km south of Almaty at altitudes of 1800, 2250, and 2700 respectively. The area is attractive for its geological landscape, rare plants, and tranquil, untouched nature.
Kolsay Lakes are often called the Pearls of Northern Tyan-Shan. The underwater forest of Lake Kaindy is a stunning sight and a lovely place to relax for a picnic when travelling east from Almaty.
In 1911, an earthquake triggered a large landslide, which formed a natural dam on the slopes of the Kungey Alatau range outside Almaty. The imposing Shrank spruce trees that previously formed a forest were suddenly submerged in the lake created by the landslide.
Charyn Canyon is a unique natural monument stretching for 154 km along the banks of the Charyn River in the south of Almaty. It consists of sedimentary rocks that are about 12 million years old. The canyon walls can reach heights of up to 300 meters. The most exciting tourist area is the Valley of Castles, where a winding 2-km path through the canyon floor leads past picturesque mountains, red cliffs, and rock formations.
Route: Almaty, Baiseit village, Saty village, Kolsay Lake, second Kolsay Lake, Saty village, Kaindy Lake, Charyn Canyon, Almaty.
Road length: 600 km

Logistics