Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 30 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty worth booking?
Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty is a 16-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $217 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 30 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (30)
- Duration
- 16 hours
- From
- $217 per person
Our team developed this tour specifically for guests of Almaty, who have only one free day to explore Kazakhstan. For this day, you will not only get acquainted with the diversity of nature in the Almaty region, you wil
What you get
- National Park fees
- Lunch
- Hot coffee and tea
- Dinner
- Transport by air-conditioned private SUV or minivan
- 1.5L of bottled water
About this experience
Our team developed this tour specifically for guests of Almaty, who have only one free day to explore Kazakhstan. For this day, you will not only get acquainted with the diversity of nature in the Almaty region, you will also taste Kazakhstan in the authentic village (Kazakh village) of Saty. The speed of landscape change and the variety of entertainments of this excursion make it unique.
What's included
Included
- National Park fees
- Lunch
- Hot coffee and tea
- Dinner
- Transport by air-conditioned private SUV or minivan
- 1.5L of bottled water
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (centrally located accommodations)
- Professional guide/driver
Not included
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Food and drinks, unless specified
What you'll see and do
Almaty
5 a.m. After meeting with the guide at your hotel, we set off on the road. The road from Almaty to the Charyn Canyon takes about 2.5 hours.
30 minutes here
Charyn State National Nature Park
7:30 a.m. We meet the dawn with a cup of hot tea or coffee and enjoy the panorama of the canyon Castle Valley. Your guide shows you the most beautiful places for photos and tells the story of the Charyn Canyon. You have time to walk and enjoy the beauty of the canyon without noisy tourist groups.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Kaindy
10 a.m. Go to the lake Kaindy. The road takes about 2 hours drive from the Charyn Canyon. We walk on the lake and visit 3 points from which it is best to get acquainted with the lake.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Saty
2 p.m. Traditional Kazakh dinner with a local family will be waiting for us in Saty village
60 minutes here
Kolsai Lake
3 p.m. After lunch, we leave for Kolsai Lakes. On the lake, the guide tells you about the area and the history of this nature miracle. Here you have 2 hours of free time. It is possible to rent a boat or ride a horse. 5 p.m. Back to Almaty. The road from the lake takes about 4 hours. On the way we have dinner in the village of Baiseit.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Almaty
10 p.m. The guide takes you to a hotel or any convenient place in the city.
Pass by without stopping
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
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 5 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- SUVtours
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 30 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
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
30 verified traveler reviews for Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Exploring the Hidden Gens fo Almaty
I would truly recommend using SUV tours as they are highly professional and very proactive. I chose them for my trip to Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, lunar Canyon Kolsai Lake and Kaindy Lake. We were assigned Ramil as a tour guide who was very educated informative spoke spectacular English and had great driving skills. He drove us for close to 14 to 16 hours and he insured that we were taken great care of. Our trip started very early at 5 AM and we finished at 10 PM however, not even for a single instance we felt that we were left alone. If you choose to be with them, they will ensure that they provide you with all the essentials and your comfort is their top priority. Initially, when we were trying to find the right tour operator, we were making multiple calls and messages , however, SUV Tours was the most competent of all in terms of responding to us, and ensuring that they offered us a great price for this excursion. We were provided with a very comfortable Land Cruiser that not just accommodated us but also our bags and was the perfect ride to drive all the way from our hotel till the last location which was close to 350 km away doesn’t matter if it is a narrow passage highway or a Bumpy road SUV tours will cover you.
via Tripadvisor
Charyn Canyon with Charyn River, Black Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsai lakes
We had an amazing experience in Almaty because of Krill. He arranged the Canyons, Kaindy and Kolsai lake trip well and we felt comfortable with our 2 year old kid. Also, the arrangements to Big Almaty Lake and Alma Arasan Gorge are good. My special thanks to Sultan, the guide for the above tours. He is such a cool person and made the trip more enjoyable.
via Tripadvisor
Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake and Kaindy lake Day tour
The tour guide was very friendly. The views were fantastic. Overall 10/10 experience would 100% recommend if you want a great tour experience with privacy.
via Tripadvisor
Very Disappointing
Despite having booked this tour with Viator well in advance and despite Viator confirming the booking, the tour operator did not arrive. We were up at 05.00 in the morning to start the tour, by 06.00 we gave up. The tour operator did not respond to our messages. The telephone number listed by Viator is incorrect as we called this number three times only to receive an automated response that the number is incorrect each time. This was the only opportunity we had to visit these beautiful places, as it’s unlikely that we will ever return Almaty. It’s therefore a crushing disappointment.
Response from the operator: Dear guest, I personally reviewed all communication channels, including email, WhatsApp, and phone records. Unfortunately, we did not receive any messages from you. We found your booking on Viator, but we did not receive any confirmation that your tour was booked. This is why your tour was not on our schedule. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment this caused. Your experience does not reflect our usual standards, and we are taking steps to prevent this from happening again. We are working with Viator to ensure all contact information is accurate and that such issues do not occur in the future. We regret that this situation affected your opportunity to visit these beautiful places. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Best regards, Kirill Nazarov Owner, SUV Tours Almaty
via Viator
Painful and disappointing.
If I could give this zero I would. This was a no show by the provider. And no response to phone calls and texts. To add insult to injury we were up and ready to go at 5.00am
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 16 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 10+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $217 to $661
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Almaty.
How much does Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty cost?
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Prices start at $217 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 Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty 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 Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 30 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 Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty?
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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 Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 10. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 16-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty?
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Around 11 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 16-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, via Charyn canyon. Private Day Tour from Almaty 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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