Kolsay Lakes And Charyn Canyon 3-Day Tour

Embark on a captivating journey to see the natural jewels of the Almaty region – Kolsay Lakes, Lake Kaindy, and Charyn Canyon. Kolsay Lakes are a cascade of three mountain lakes situated at altitudes of 1000, 2250, and 2700 meters above sea level. Meanwhile, Charyn Canyon stands as the most breathtaking canyon in the region.
  • Available: Year-round
  • Best Period: From April to October
  • Tour Duration: 3 Days
  • Starting Point: Almaty
  • Private Tour
Highly qualified staff
We spend more than 1000 hours a year on staff training in reputable training centers.
Charity
Our company sends 1% of the cost of the services you purchase to the Red Crescent Fund of Kazakhstan.
Guarantee
Only we guarantee the quality of our services and compensate the cost for poorly rendered services.
Experience
More than 25,000 satisfied guests from 67 countries of the world.
Rating: 9,5/10 Reviews: 13

The price of the private tour will vary based on the number of people in the group, including children aged 4 and over. Please note that the cost for a child's participation in the tour will be the same as an adult. The price per person shown below is based on a group of two individuals.

Price per Person:
760
USD
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The number of single rooms cannot exceed the number of adults
Total:
  • Tour Date:

  • Departure Time:

  • Adults:

  • Single Room:

General information and booking terms

3 Days

Distance

670 km

650 km

20 km
Kolsay Lakes And Charyn Canyon 3-Day Tour
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Kolsay Lakes And Charyn Canyon 3-Day Tour

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. 

Important Information and Recommendations:

    Ensure that you have a current and valid passport with you on the day of travel.
  • The tour involves long hikes.

  • It is recommended to wear comfortable clothing suitable for the weather conditions. In colder seasons, a windproof and waterproof jacket is essential. Opt for closed, walking-friendly shoes, such as boots for cold weather or sneakers for warmer conditions. Don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen, along with a protective headdress. It's advisable to bring a personal backpack to carry water and lunch during trekking activities.

  • If you have any specific dietary requirements or restrictions, please inform us at the time of booking so that we can make appropriate arrangements. Traditional local cuisine typically includes lamb or beef, dough, and milk products.

Any other questions?

You can discuss any questions you have with our manager directly on WhatsApp!

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Our guides

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Almaty
Astana
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Kolsay Lakes And Charyn Canyon 3-Day Tour

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Please Rate 1-10

Nur Aliza
10 june 2023, 16:19

Rating: 8/10

- Guide is very knowledgeable and friendly.
- Driver brought friends on our paid vacation.
- Driver broke one of the bags
- Driver drove dangerously, when tourist want to get off the bus, driver starts moving the bus
- The condition of the bus was not maintained by the driver (cleanliness wise)
- In Saty, too little food variety but still decent

Mohammed Mukim
23 april 2023, 22:48

Rating: 10/10

The tour to Kolsay lakes in the morning today on 22th apr 2023. It was very beautiful place and we enjoyed most. The service was excellent.
Then 2nd spot we went to Charyn Canyon. It is beautiful and we had lots of fun there.
I wanted say thanks to Aidyam and Shukhrat for taking good care of us. We would like to thank you for your hospitality.

Bat-Erdene
26 december 2022, 14:44

Rating: 9/10

Annete Sode
04 august 2022, 15:54

Rating: 9/10

Saty hotel: Shower not working, we got a new room. My bed was a bit hard to sleep on.
Breakfast simple, missed some fuite in Saty.

Haotian Zeng
07 july 2022, 16:01

Rating: 9/10

It's an amazing trip with welcome.kz, will definitely recommend to my friends!
Darya is an excellent guide, very knowledgable and good at explaining.
Great driver.

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