Two days across signature landscapes: Charyn Canyon’s 6 distinct viewpoints, Kolsay alpine lake, and Kaindy’s submerged spruce forest.
Overnight in a village guesthouse with home-style meals, leaving room for sunset and early-morning light at the canyon and lakes.
Easy walks between viewpoints, with the option to add a longer hike if you want more time on the trail.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
07:00 - Depart from Almaty, hotel pick-ups, and begin the journey through agricultural fields
10:00 - Arrive at Charyn Canyon Panoramic Sites #1 and #2 - Valley of Castles (Qyzylsay). A short trek (2 km each way)
13:00 - Lunch break (packed lunch) before continuing the journey
13:30 - Drive to Panoramic Site #3 - Lunar (Zhabyr, Uzunbulak) Canyon View
14:15 - Continue to Panoramic Site #4 – Stone Shelf viewpoint
15:00 - Drive to Panoramic Sites #5 and #6 - Napoleon and the Austrian Viewpoint
17:00 - Depart from Charyn Canyon to Saty village
18:00 - Visit the Black Canyon, part of the main canyon of the Charyn River
19:00 - Check in at the guest house and have dinner
20:00 - Overnight stay at the guest house
10:00 - Arrive at Charyn Canyon Panoramic Sites #1 and #2 - Valley of Castles (Qyzylsay). A short trek (2 km each way)
13:00 - Lunch break (packed lunch) before continuing the journey
13:30 - Drive to Panoramic Site #3 - Lunar (Zhabyr, Uzunbulak) Canyon View
14:15 - Continue to Panoramic Site #4 – Stone Shelf viewpoint
15:00 - Drive to Panoramic Sites #5 and #6 - Napoleon and the Austrian Viewpoint
17:00 - Depart from Charyn Canyon to Saty village
18:00 - Visit the Black Canyon, part of the main canyon of the Charyn River
19:00 - Check in at the guest house and have dinner
20:00 - Overnight stay at the guest house
DAY 2
08:30 - Breakfast at the guest house
09:00 - Depart for Kaindy Lake (15 km, unpaved road)
09:30 - Arrive at the parking area and trek to the lake (2 km). Horse rentals are available during the high season (not included in the tour price).
10:30 - Visit three locations at the lake: the shore, the panoramic viewpoint, and the inflow of the Kaindy River into the lake
12:00 - Return to the parking area (2 km)
13:00 - Depart for the guest house, stopping at a panoramic site with views of the Chilik River valley
13:30 - Lunch at the guest house
14:30 - Depart for Kolsay lower lake (15 km)
15:00 - Take a short walk along the shore of Kolsay lake
16:30 - Depart from the lake parking area and head back to Almaty (300 km)
20:30 - Arrive in Almaty
09:00 - Depart for Kaindy Lake (15 km, unpaved road)
09:30 - Arrive at the parking area and trek to the lake (2 km). Horse rentals are available during the high season (not included in the tour price).
10:30 - Visit three locations at the lake: the shore, the panoramic viewpoint, and the inflow of the Kaindy River into the lake
12:00 - Return to the parking area (2 km)
13:00 - Depart for the guest house, stopping at a panoramic site with views of the Chilik River valley
13:30 - Lunch at the guest house
14:30 - Depart for Kolsay lower lake (15 km)
15:00 - Take a short walk along the shore of Kolsay lake
16:30 - Depart from the lake parking area and head back to Almaty (300 km)
20:30 - Arrive in Almaty
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Price List
Included in the tour price
Prices vary depending on the number of people in your group.
6 People
- Comfortable SUV transportation
- Services of an English/Chinese/Russian-speaking guide
- Accommodation at a Guest House
- Three meals a day, excluding breakfast on the first day, dinner on the second day
- National Park Permits & Entrance Fees
- 1.5 liters of drinking water per guest per day
- Personal expenses
- Pet-Friendly Travel: Bringing your furry friends (dogs and cats) along is welcome! A fee of $10 per day applies.
Not included in the tour price
$180 per person ($1 080 total)
$190 per person ($950 total)
5 People
4 People
$200 per person ($800 total)
$250 per person ($750 total)
3 People
Solo Tour
$600 total
$350 per person ($700 total)
2 People
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