Itinerary
Day 1 – Commencing your journey, you'll meet your guide at the hotel at 08:00 and board a comfortable car or minivan. The day's itinerary spans over 300 km (186 mi), taking you from Almaty to Saty village in a 5-6 hour drive. In the village, you can explore the local market and buy traditional products. Then, you'll check in at a guest house for a two-night stay. Following lunch, we'll change our car to an all-terrain vehicle like UAZ or PAZ (Russian car models), ideal for navigating the rugged 12 km (7.5 mi) mountain road to Lake Kaindy. After a leisurely exploration on foot, you'll return to Saty for a dinner and overnight rest.
Day 2 – After breakfast, we'll embark on a journey to Kolsay Lakes at 08:00. We will provide you with bottled water and lunch-boxes. Ensure to pack your own backpack with essentials for the trip. Upon reaching the Lower Kolsay Lake, your trek to the middle Kolsay Lake begins. The route lies through pine forests and alpine meadows alongside a pristine mountain river. Covering approximately 7 km (4.3 mi), this trek takes about 3-3.5 hours one way. An altitude gain exceeds 400 meters, from 1818 meters (5965 ft) to 2250 meters (7382 ft) above sea level. The route is suitable for healthy, moderately trained individuals. Indulge in a well-deserved lunch against the backdrop of the cold, crystal-clear lake surrounded by magnificent mountain peaks—a priceless reward after an active trek. In the afternoon, we'll trek back to the Lower Kolsay Lake before returning to Saty for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3 – Upon reaching Charyn Canyon, you'll first marvel at the panorama from the observation deck. Next, descend to the canyon bottom and take a 2 km (1.2 mi) stroll through the Valley of Castles, surrounded by walls of peculiar shapes. The trail gradually descends, leading you to an oasis on the Charyn River, where an eco-park with yurts (traditional dwellings) and a small open-air café await during the summer. Following a break, we will go to another observation point for a stunning panoramic view. After spending approximately 3 hours in the canyon, we will drive back to Almaty. A local café in a village, reachable within a 1-hour drive from the canyon, will host lunch. You'll return to your hotel by 7:00 PM.