Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 34 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon worth booking?
Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon is a 17-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $58 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 34 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (34)
- Duration
- 17 hours
- From
- $58 per person
«Comfortable transfer, stunning scenery and unforgettable emotions - all this in our eventful one-day tour!”
What you get
- Minivan for up to 12 people
- Kaindy Lake eco fee
- Charyn Canyon Eco Fee
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Kolsai Lake eco fee
- eco fees at all locations
About this experience
«Comfortable transfer, stunning scenery and unforgettable emotions - all this in our eventful one-day tour!”
What's included
Included
- Minivan for up to 12 people
- Kaindy Lake eco fee
- Charyn Canyon Eco Fee
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Kolsai Lake eco fee
- eco fees at all locations
- Guide
Not included
- Taxi UAZ to Lake Charyn (1000tg) Walking recommended
- Horse riding (7000tg - 10000tg) Walking recommended
- Food in cafes\restaurants
What you'll see and do
Charyn Canyon National Park
Charyn Canyon is one of the most impressive natural wonders of Kazakhstan. Its vibrant cliffs, deep gorges, and unique rock formations make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world. Every step reveals new breathtaking views that captivate and inspire. Hiking along the canyon, taking photos against majestic cliffs, or simply enjoying the scenery leaves unforgettable impressions. This place is perfect for adventure lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking unique landscapes. Charyn Canyon is truly a gem of the Almaty region
90 minutes here
Kolsai Lake
You will see one of the most picturesque places in Kazakhstan, Kolsai Lake. Depending on the weather, the route may change: first Kolsai, then Kaindi, then the Black Canyon, and finally the Charyn Canyon.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Kaindy
Kaindy Lake is one of the most amazing places in Kazakhstan. Emerald water, century-old fir trees sticking out of the depths and the silence of the mountains create an atmosphere of real magic. This is a place where nature reveals its power and beauty, leaving unforgettable impressions.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Maly Canyon of River Charyn
Black Canyon is a majestic place with dark cliffs and breathtaking views. A true wonder of nature!
20 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Almaty
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Options you can book
Bokyn
Duration: 16 hours Toyota Hiace. Starex. Bus
Big trip in 1 day:
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Kazakhstan_Almaty_trip
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 12 years old are not allowed to join this tour. Infants and children from 1 month to 12 years old are also not permitted. Please take this into account when booking.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 34 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
34 verified traveler reviews for Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
This tour was amazing....
This tour was amazing. Our tour guide Aigar especially made the trip fun, was very informative and by far the best tour guide I have ever experienced.
via Viator
Amazing landscapes
-Very nice trip. You can see amazing landscapes. Perfect experience! - Long distance and thats ok. But the bus was very small for 12 people. Max 8 people should be. The guide - Ali(for short)- most of the time was sleeping!!! It wasn't nice..
via Viator
Fantastic Tour – Highly Recommended!
This was one of the highlights of our trip. The entire tour was very well organized, covered all the major attractions at a comfortable pace, and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. A special mention goes to our tour guide, Victor. He was absolutely amazing—knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic, and always ready to help. The pickup and drop arrangements were seamless, and he made sure everyone was well looked after throughout the day. From helping with breakfast and lunch arrangements to taking care of the little details that make a full-day tour enjoyable, his attention and hospitality were exceptional. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. If you get Victor as your guide, you’re guaranteed a fantastic experience!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review and for choosing to travel with us! We’re delighted to hear that your tour was one of the highlights of your trip to Kazakhstan. Your kind words about our guide, Victor, mean a great deal to us. We will be sure to share your compliments with him. He is passionate about creating memorable experiences, and we’re happy that his care, knowledge, and hospitality made your day so enjoyable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Kazakhstan in the future. Best regards, Kazakhstan Almaty Trip Team
via Tripadvisor
Worth it
It was a well organized trip. We had enough time and freedom to explore what we wanted. The girl was super nice and could speak both English and Russian.
Response from the operator: Roman, thank you so much for your wonderful 5-star review! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We truly appreciate your kind words and are grateful that you chose our tour. Your support and trust mean a lot to our entire team. It was a pleasure to be part of your journey, and we hope to welcome you back to Kazakhstan for more unforgettable adventures. We look forward to seeing you again. Wishing you all the very best!
via Tripadvisor
I had to call the police.
TOUR GUIDE TRIED TO SCAM ME TWICE Beautiful destinations, and a tour guide that knows absolutely nothing about the history of the locations. He brought us to an overpriced restaurant where he was clearly friends with the workers, joking and laughing in kazakh. I saw the overpriced menu and only ordered coffee and they were offended. In a group of 10 people everyone received their full meal and I reminded them my coffee 3 times and got ignored, so I left and the tour guide didnt care. At the last destination when everyone was going in different directions I decided to go home after 15 hours, I asked the reception for taxi and he said they were coming in a few minutes. Then tour guide found out and talked to reception in kazakh, and then both told me the taxi would come in 3 hours. There is a BIG difference in a few minutes and 3 HOURS. When I complained further they "magically" found a taxi nearby, to which the tour guide, again, talked to in kazakh. This taxi driver stopped halfway through a 3 hour drive and said he cant go into the city because police are looking for his car and that I should get into his "brother's" taxi. His "brother" was actively drinking beer and tequila while swirving through the road fully drunk. He randomly stopped at a gas station and demanded gas money from me, and got angry when I refused. I reported him to the police while inside the car, and I will file a report about the tour guide as well. Through and through a stupidly amateur scammer.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review. We are sorry that you had this impression. However, according to our records, you did not participate in our tour and your booking was marked as No Show. Therefore, the events described in your review are not related to our experience. We always welcome every guest and kindly ask that reviews be based on actual participation in the tour. We wish you all the best.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 17 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 12+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 12
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Kazakhstan_Almaty_trip, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.7.
See everything Kazakhstan_Almaty_trip runsWhy this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Almaty.
How much does Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon cost?
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Prices start at $58 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 Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon take?
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Plan for about 17 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 Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 34 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 Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon?
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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 Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 17-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon?
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Around 12 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?
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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 17-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Big Trip in 1 Day Kolsai, Kaindy Lake, Black, Charyn, Canyon 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, Small-Group Tour: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons. 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?
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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?
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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.
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