Charyn, Kolsai & Kaindy 2 days | all year round

Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy are undoubtedly the three most popular destinations for weekend trips from Almaty. The desert canyons of Charyn, reminiscent of Western movies, and the lush mountain landscapes of the Northern Tien Shan around Kolsai lakes offer a great sense of Kazakhstan’s natural diversity. The Lake Kaindy is best known for its truly surreal landscape — the spruce trunks rising right out of the water upwards of 15 meters (the lake was formed in 1911 as a result of a landslide triggered by an earthquake). The local hospitality in the village of Saty in Kolsai will leave long lasting memories — not least for its culinary delights. By the way, the village was recognised by the UN Tourism as one of the best tourist villages in the world in 2023.

TOUR ITINERARY Highlights Of Your Journey

DAY 1

07:00 – 10:00 Travelling from Almaty to the Valley of Castles — the most popular and spectacular part of Charyn National Park (212 km).
10:00 – 12:30 Walking down the canyon in the Valley of Castles (3 km one way), where the most classic photos of the canyon are usually taken. Visiting one of the upper viewpoints upon return, from which you will look down on the valley from above to appreciate its scale.
12:30 – 14:00 Travelling from the Valley of Castles to Saty village (89 km), where the headquarters of Kolsai Lakes National Park is situated.
14:00 – 15:00 Lunch in a guesthouse in Saty.
15:00 – 15:40 Travelling from Saty to the parking lot near Kaindy Lake (14 km).
15:40 – 16:10 Walking 1.5 kilometers to the lakeshore (you can optionally do this on horseback).
16:10 – 17:00 You have your time at the lake, walk around and take a lot of photos.
17:00 – 17:20 Walking (or riding) back to the parking lot.
17:20 – 18:00 Coming back to Saty.
18:00 – 19:00 Free time.
19:00 – 20:00 Dinner in a guesthouse/hotel/yurt.

DAY 2

08:00 – 09:00 Breakfast.
09:00 – 09:20 Travelling from Saty to the parking lot near the Lower Kolsai Lake (14 km.).
09:20 – 12:30 You have your time at the lake, walk around and take a lot of photos. The most classic pictures of Kolsai are made here, at the shore of the First or Lower Kolsai Lake. It is possible to take a boat as well (optional).
12:40 – 13:00 Coming back to Saty.
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch in guesthouse in Saty.
14:00 – 15:00 Travelling from Saty to the Black Canyon (63 km), one more part of Charyn River canyon system.
15:00 – 15:20 You will look down the canyon from a viewpoint, it is a good place for photo session.
15:20 – 15:50 Travelling to the Moon Canyon (19 km).
15:50 – 17:00 A short hike in the Moon Canyon, a part of Charyn, which slopes are composed of yellowish-brown rocks.
17:00 – 20:00 Travelling back to Almaty (223 km).

Price per person (depends on the group size and type of accommodation), USD:

Group size	1	2	3	4
Price	from ___	from ___	from ___	from ___

The price includes:

— Private transportation by comfortable SUV,
— English speaking guide,
— Accommodation in guesthouse/hotel/yurt in Saty,
— Meals as per the program,
— Entrances to all National Parks,
— Drinking water.

Price does not include:

— Horseback riding,
— Boats,
— National Park taxis,
— Any other personal expenses.

DISCLAIMER

1. All timeframes given in the description of the tour are approximate and depend on many factors, including traffic, road conditions, season, weather, the physical abilities of the tourists (in the case of hiking), and other important factors.
2. The program of the tour might be changed due to the force majeure circumstances beyond the control of «Overland Kazakhstan» company.