Kolsay Lakes And Charyn Canyon 3-Day Tour

Embark on a 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 1000, 2250, and 2700 meters above sea level. Meanwhile, Charyn Canyon stands as the most breathtaking canyon in the region.

  • Starting Point: Almaty
  • Available: Year-round
  • Best Period: From April to October
  • Tour Duration: 3 Days
Highly qualified staff
We invest over 300 hours each year in training our staff and guides to ensure top-notch service.
Charity
Our company contributes up to 1% of your service cost to support charitable causes and create a positive impact.
Guarantee
We guarantee the quality of our services. If we do not meet your expectations, we will refund your money.
Experience
With over 26,000 satisfied guests from 67 countries and 10,000+ tours completed, our experience speaks for itself.

Cost Estimate and Online Booking

prices and reservations
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The number of single rooms cannot exceed the number of adults
Price per Person:
$ 895
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  • Adults:
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Key Details
Included Features
Booking Procedure
Clothing Recommendations
Tariffs and service levels
Purchase Instructions
Why Choose Us?
Cancellation Policy

3 Days

Distance

670 km

650 km

20 km
Kolsay Lakes And Charyn Canyon 3-Day Tour
Starting Point: Almaty
Available: Year-round
Best Period: From April to October
Tour Duration: 3 Days
The tour involves long hikes
Private Tour
Children aged 3 and under go for free if they do not occupy a separate seat
Ensure that you have a current and valid passport with you on the day of travel
If you have any specific dietary requirements or restrictions, inform us at the time of booking. Traditional local cuisine typically includes lamb or beef, dough, and milk products

Group Size: 1-50 people

What's Included in the Price?

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off; private transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
  • Twin or single room in a guesthouse in Saty (2 nights)
  • Services of a professional English-speaking guide
  • Environmental and entry fees
  • Lunch and dinner on Day 1, full meals on Day 2, breakfast and lunch on Day 3
  • A bottle of drinking water per person per day

Not Included:

  • Personal expenses of tour participants
  • Any additional transfers
  • Visa services and registration in Kazakhstan (if required)
  • Additional services not specified in the itinerary

Booking Procedure

  • Select the tour you want to book.
  • On the tour page, use the calendar to choose your desired date and the number of participants. Fill in your personal information and click the Buy Online button.
  • To secure your booking, you need to pay the full cost of the tour. For details on the online payment process, refer to the Purchase Instructions tab.
  • After payment, save your voucher and the electronic receipt containing your order details and payment information.

Alternative booking options:

You can also book a tour by contacting our managers and paying in cash or via bank transfer. To reach our managers, click the round button in the lower right corner of the screen or message us on WhatsApp at +7 (700) 348-00-00 (responses available in English).

Alternatively, you can call us at:

+7 (727) 326-96-16, +7 (702) 006-57-87 (Almaty)

+7 (7172) 76-00-56 (Astana)

Essential items for your excursion:

  • Comfortable clothing (such as shorts, pants, leggings, a T-shirt, or a light long-sleeved sweater). In colder weather, wear an insulated jacket or down jacket, a hat, scarf, and gloves.
  • A cap or hat for sun protection.
  • Comfortable closed-toe shoes with a sturdy sole and high lacing.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Sunscreen to protect your skin.
  • Trekking poles (optional).
  • Personal backpack to carry water and lunch.
  • Personal first aid kit.

Tour Pricing Options

The prices for this tour are based on the Standard tariff, which includes reliable tourist transport in good condition, the services of an experienced guide and driver, guesthouse stay, and meals.

In addition to the Standard tariff, we offer the following options:

  • Economy: We provide lower-class vehicles for transfers, and accommodations consist of more budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses. This option is ideal for tourists looking to minimize costs.

Note: Be cautious of companies that misrepresent their Economy tariff as Standard. These companies may offer lower-priced tours with poor service quality, such as outdated vehicles and inexperienced guides. They might also operate illegally and neglect essential safety standards.

  • Comfort: This option features high-comfort vehicles in excellent condition, with the most experienced guides accompanying tourists. Tourists stay in high-class hotels.
  • VIP: Luxury transport is provided, and guests stay in upscale hotels. Premium services are offered throughout the entire trip.

If you wish to adjust your tariff, please inform your manager before booking the tour.

For more information about our rates and transport options, refer to this section.

Purchase Instructions

  • Choose your desired date and fill in all required information. The total order amount will be displayed based on your selections.
  • Click the Buy Online button to be redirected to a secure payment page. Here, enter your bank card details to complete your payment.

We accept payments via Visa, MasterCard, and other electronic payment systems. The total amount will be charged in the national currency of Kazakhstan – tenge. The conversion to Kazakhstani tenge will occur at the official exchange rate set by the National Bank of Kazakhstan on the day of payment. You can view the current exchange rates for the Kazakhstani tenge against other currencies on this page.

  • Once your payment is successful, an electronic receipt with your order details and payment information will be sent to the email address you provided. Additionally, you can download and print a voucher for the paid service during your browser session. Please ensure you save this voucher.

For details about the payment service and the security measures for electronic transactions, refer to this page.

Why Choose Us?

Highly Qualified Staff
We invest over 300 hours each year in training our staff and guides to ensure top-notch service.

Charity
Our company contributes up to 1% of your service cost to support charitable causes and create a positive impact. 

Guarantee
We guarantee the quality of our services. If we do not meet your expectations, we will refund your money.

Experience
With over 26,000 satisfied guests from 67 countries and 10,000+ tours completed, our experience speaks for itself. 

Cancellation Policy:

  • If you cancel the tour less than 7 days* before its start, 50% of the total cost will be retained.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours* before the tour or do not show up, 100% of the total cost will be retained.

*Please note that if a cancellation notice is received outside of our working hours (evening, night, or weekends) and our managers have not confirmed receipt of your cancellation or change request in writing, the company reserves the right to consider the request when business hours resume. Therefore, we encourage you to notify us of any changes or cancellations as early as possible.

During non-working hours, you can try to reach us through our duty phone, corporate email, or corporate messengers. Duty managers monitor these channels and can respond promptly. If you have the contact information for your guide, driver, or other responsible parties (often listed in your voucher), we recommend reaching out to them directly as well.

Tour Schedule

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

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 (a Russian off-road vehicle), 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 dinner and overnight rest.

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.

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. 

Copy
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 (a Russian off-road vehicle), 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 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. 

Lake Kaindy
Kolsay Lakes
Charyn Canyon
Lake Kaindy

Lake Kaindy was formed by a powerful earthquake more than a century ago. The seismic activity triggered a landslide, forming a natural dam that blocked a valley. The water submerged the surrounding trees, resulting in the picturesque underwater forest that graces the lake's depths today. Despite the passage of time, the lake has remarkably preserved its submerged forest. The cold water in Lake Kaindy slows down the decomposition process, preventing the decay of the trees. As a result, the submerged forest remains remarkably well-preserved.

Kolsay Lakes

The Kolsay Lakes form a series of mountain lakes, each positioned at varying altitudes. The Lower Kolsay Lake resides at an altitude of 1818 meters (5965 ft) and stands out for its easy accessibility by car, making it the most frequented lake. The Middle Kolsay Lake, the largest among the three, is nestled at 2250 meters (7382 ft). A natural dam of fir trees blocks its waters, and the shores boast the rare sight of blooming white edelweiss. At an elevation of 2850 meters (9350 ft), the Upper Kolsay Lake is the smallest and coldest of the trio. Remarkably pristine and seldom visited by tourists, it remains the cleanest and most untouched among the three lakes.

Charyn Canyon

Charyn Canyon bears a resemblance to the Grand Canyon in the USA, albeit on a smaller scale. The steep canyon slopes reach heights of 150-300 meters (500-1000 ft), and what truly stands out is the remarkable dissection of the terrain – a dense, chaotic network of numerous ravines. Particularly captivating is the Valley of Castles, where the wind and water have sculpted walls resembling castles and towers. This valley showcases nature's unique architectural prowess, crafting magnificent structures over millions of years. Walking amid these towers and columns, you can marvel at the wild imagination of nature for hours.

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Lu Yun Fei
03 may 2024, 14:47

10

Very nice. Well arranged. Happy tour. But the airport visa service is too slow

Y. Lin
19 april 2024, 11:27

10

Overall an excellent tour. Highly recommend. Would love to hear more about
- local fauna (trees, plants)
- specific bird species in the bird show (owl ? falcon?)
Great meals. Some concern about fresh vegetables that are raw, salads, cold plates, etc. Cooked meals perfect.

Nur Aliza
10 june 2023, 16:19

8

- 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

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.

Annete Sode
04 august 2022, 15:54

9

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

9

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.

Вячеслав
05 july 2022, 12:02

10

Волшебно. Интересненько. В авто почистить кондиционер. Питание - вкусненько. Проживание - необычненько. Очень классно. Обжаю горы. Похудел, подышал.

Martyn Atkinson
15 may 2022, 15:44

9

Not keen on horsemeat dish! Guest house average. The guide is knowledgable and helpful.

Quyen
08 january 2020, 20:33

10

We went to Kazakhstan for our Christmas holiday without booking any tours in advance, we arrived to Almaty very late and our hotel concierge wasnt available so we looked up on TripAdvisor and we found ACT and decided to book the city tour 3 hours. We were so happy with our tourguide Gulmira on our 1st day so we booked her again for 3 days 2 night to Kolsai lake and Charyn Canyon. We had an amazing trip with excellent driver Jeny and wonderful tourguide Gulmira, we were very well taken care of and we had so much fun together. Oh, they took very nice pictures too. We learnt so much about the culture and people of Kazakhstan and amazed by its sightseeing.
I am highly recommend ACT and our best best dirver and tourguide. Thank you for making our trip memorable with lots of laugh. Will see you again soon,Almaty.

Caran
16 october 2017, 16:34

10

Excellent with passion. Helpful, careful, thoughtful.

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After successful payment, an electronic receipt with information about the order and data on the payment made will be sent to the e-mail you specified. Also, during the session of your browser on the site, you will have access to download and print a voucher for the paid service. Save it. Information about the payment service and guarantees of the security of electronic payments can be found on this page