1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan

1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes

Outty Ranking 59 5.0 · 4 traveler reviews16 hoursFrom $350
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Outty Ranking

59/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes worth booking?

1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes is a 16-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $350 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
59 / 100
Rating
5/5 (4)
Duration
16 hours
From
$350 per person

Express tour to see all the beauties of Kazakh land! For travelers who have short stop in Almaty. Tour allows to see great Charyn canyon, and beautiful lakes Kaindy & Kolsay lakes. Moreover you will see Kazakh village to feel real Kazakh lifestyle!

What you get

    About this experience

    Express tour to see all the beauties of Kazakh land! For travelers who have short stop in Almaty. Tour allows to see great Charyn canyon, and beautiful lakes Kaindy & Kolsay lakes. Moreover you will see Kazakh village to feel real Kazakh lifestyle!

    What's included

    Included

    • Bottled water
    • Entrance fees
    • English speaking guide
    • Lunch
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • Breakfast

    What you'll see and do

    1. Charyn State National Nature Park

      Canyon Charyn is located on the territory of the Charyn National Park, created with the purpose of preserving natural and geological objects. On the territory of the park there is a large number of rare and endangered species of animals listed in the Red Book. Canyon Charyn is a picturesque natural place, which strikes with its unearthly landscapes. The depth of the canyon is 200 m. The height of the sheer mountains of the canyon reaches 150-300 m.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Lake Kaindy

      Kaindy Lake – a truly amazing example of the creation of nature. It is located among a huge coniferous forest at an altitude of more than 2000 thousand meters above sea level. It was formed by a landslide of a huge accumulation of limestone, as well as subsidence of the soil.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Lower Kolsai Lake

      The Kolsay Lakes is a popular tourist destination. They are located in the Northern Tien Shan. The word “kolsay” means “lake in the gorge” and there are three of them: Upper, Middle and Lower. They are all quite deep, cool and scenic. There is also the village of Saty, where you can stay in comfortable and authentic guest houses, try national cuisine, and see the everyday life of the Kazakh people. The lower lake is located at 1818 meters above sea level and 80 meters in depth. It is accessible by road and has guest-houses, campsites, boats and horse riding.

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    ru, en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 5 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Explore Kazakhstan

    Know before you go

    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes in Almaty, photo 21 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes in Almaty, photo 31 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes in Almaty, photo 41 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes in Almaty, photo 51 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes in Almaty, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    4 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    1 mention

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    1 mention

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Organization

    1 mention

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Traveler reviews

    4 verified traveler reviews for 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    4
    4 star
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    3 star
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    2 star
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    1 star
    0
    Sort
    MichelleL7266 · October 2026

    Excellent guide

    Chingiz (the guide) is very helpful and professional who took us to secret spot for pictures to avoid the crowds

    Response from the operator: Thank you for your feedback! We’re delighted to hear you had such a great experience with our guide and enjoyed the tour.

    via Tripadvisor

    jaisalkp · February 2024

    Cheryn canyon and the kolsai lake

    It was an eventful day and was totally worth the drive. The tour guide , Michel was very helpful and friendly. He was knowledgeable on so many matters and guided us well . On our way , we visited a village and had our lunch which was really delicious. We were awestruck by all the view and had a good time . Thank you for providing us with such a good service .

    via Tripadvisor

    marianluke · May 2023

    A must-see tour when visiting Almaty

    This day was fantastic - full of amazing scenery and adventures. Michael was an excellent guide. He took great care of me, drove really well, organised everything smoothly, and was patient when I was feeling fatigued. Charyn Canyon was a must-see and the lakes were beautiful. I feel like I gained an understanding of this country from only my first day here. I would highly recommend Explore Kazakhstan as a tour company.

    via Tripadvisor

    lincysarahs · April 2023

    Incredible and humbling

    Highly recommend. We had an awesome experience. I booked a day tour to visit three places in a day and my bookings were confirmed immediately. I got Madi on wats app and he guided me and informed all about the tour. Our tour guide Chingiz was a wonderful kind and supportive man. We had a delicious home cooked meal for lunch in a village guest house. From our experience I recommend a two tour so that you are not too tired and take time to enjoy the serene scenic views. Though we were very much happy with our tour packages since it fit with our schedule.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    16 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $350 to $651
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Explore Kazakhstan, who run 12 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.6.

    See everything Explore Kazakhstan runs

    Why this scores 59

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)88
    Review evidence (18% weight)29
    Booking momentum (14% weight)16
    Value for money (12% weight)55
    Listing quality (10% weight)63
    Local standing (8% weight)54
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Almaty.

    How much does 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes cost?

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    Prices start at $350 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Almaty usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes take?

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    Plan for about 16 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Almaty is not rushed.

    Is 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Almaty, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 16-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes?

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    Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Almaty can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Almaty and add a light layer if any part of the 16-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Almaty within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Almaty?

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    On Outty we rank every Almaty experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour, Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour, Kolsai, Kaindy lakes & Charyn canyon with Yurt stay and Campfire. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Almaty?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Almaty?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes?

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    Included: Bottled water; Entrance fees; English speaking guide; Lunch; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes include hotel pickup?

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    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 80 listed pickup locations in and around Almaty. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes offered in?

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    It is offered in Russian and English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes if the weather is bad?

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    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Almaty. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes?

    +

    Across 4 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for 1 Day Express Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes.

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