Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights)

Outty Ranking 66 5.0 · 6 traveler reviews13 hoursFrom $227
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Outty Ranking

66/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 6 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) worth booking?

Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) is a 13-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $227 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 6 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
66 / 100
Rating
5/5 (6)
Duration
13 hours
From
$227 per person

This tour option allows you to visit the most attractive natural sights of Almaty region in one day trip. Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes area is famous for its natural diversity. There are high mountains, rough rivers, evergreen forests and pristine lakes. Charyn Canyon is another spectacular must-see place which is located on the way to the lakes. For this one-day tour you can choose two of the three sights (Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, Charyn Canyon). It might be Kolsai + Kaindy, Kolsai + Charyn or Kaindy + Charyn. You will have enough time to comfortably enjoy both locations and come back to the city. To visit all three sights please check our 2-day tour with overnight stay.

What you get

    About this experience

    This tour option allows you to visit the most attractive natural sights of Almaty region in one day trip. Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes area is famous for its natural diversity. There are high mountains, rough rivers, evergreen forests and pristine lakes. Charyn Canyon is another spectacular must-see place which is located on the way to the lakes. For this one-day tour you can choose two of the three sights (Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, Charyn Canyon). It might be Kolsai + Kaindy, Kolsai + Charyn or Kaindy + Charyn. You will have enough time to comfortably enjoy both locations and come back to the city. To visit all three sights please check our 2-day tour with overnight stay.

    What's included

    Included

    • Private transportation
    • Professional guide service
    • All Fees and Taxes
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Lunch

    What you'll see and do

    1. Kolsai Lake

      Big pristine mountain lake, which is located in 300 km from Almaty. Kolsai Lake area and cinematic serpentine road to it allows you to observe impressive panoramic views of Alatau Mountains. Kazakh yurts, horses, snowy peaks and mountain rivers - that is what you will see on the way. There are nice walking trails with evergreen trees around the lake. You can take a boat ride and enjoy the lake from the water surface. Or you can also take a ride on a horse and explore few interesting spots nearby.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Lake Kaindy

      This Lake is a unique natural phenomenon. The second name for the lake is actually 'The Sunken Forest'. The reason for that are few dozens of spruce trees which emerge from the water surface of the lake. Those are the witnesses of the earthquake which took place in this area back in the days. It formed a hollow with fir-tree forest in it. Soon the local mountain river started to fill it up until the lake was formed. There is a great walking trail around the lake with few different view spots. The whole area of the Kaindy Lake is just a piece of pristine nature.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Charyn National Park

      Charyn Canyon is a natural formation of 2.5 million years old. The whole canyon is stretched for 154 kilometers from the foothills of Alatau Mountains to Ili River. We will visit the most spectacular part of the Canyon - 'The Valley of Castles'. The 'Castles' are the different shape beautiful rock formations. You will have an opportunity to take a walk by the bottom of the canyon up to Charyn River. And observe few panoramic views from the top as well.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    4. Another part of Charyn Canyon called Black Canyon. We will make a short stop to enjoy the panoramic view of the Canyon on the way to the Lakes.

      15 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.

    Options you can book

    • Kolsai Lake + Charyn Canyon

      Pickup included

    • Kaindy Lake + Charyn or Kolsai

      Duration: 1 hour: Kaindy Lake requires an extra 1 hour off-road drive A bit more of walking/hiking Pickup included

    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 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    NEOmad

    Know before you go

    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Lake Kolsai, Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) in AlmatyCharyn Canyon panorama, Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) in AlmatyLake Kaindy, Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) in AlmatyCharyn Canyon, Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) in AlmatyLake Kolsai, Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) in AlmatyOn the way, Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) in Almaty

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 6 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    3 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    6 verified traveler reviews for Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights). Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    6
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
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    1 star
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    Sort
    Teodor_D · August 2026

    A day at the Kaindy & Kolsai lakes

    The tour is perfectly organized from start to finish. All details are thought over, and Mina, our guide, made the whole day smooth and pleasant. She is very knowledgeable and gave us all information we needed. You should be ready for the hours in the car needed to reach the lakes and the canyon, but what you will see there is worth the effort.

    via Viator

    Desislava_F · November 2025

    Tour was great, we really...

    Tour was great, we really enjoy the two beautiful lakes and our guide Mina was very kind and tell us a lot.

    via Viator

    775shirleyz · August 2023

    Amazing Tour!

    Bakhtiar was an incredible guide who was really personal and took the tour the extra mile for us. It was an incredible day jampacked with personalized stops and views. We learned so much about Almaty, the surrounding region, and Kazakhstan as a whole, and we got incredible views of diverse and gorgeous scenery in the canyons, steppes, and lakes around the area. It was truly worth every minute and we would recommend it to anyone!

    via Tripadvisor

    Matthew_D · May 2023

    Perfect day trip from Almaty

    We chose Charyn Canyon and Kaindy Lake. Our guide Dimash was amazing, and his English was great! The weather in May was perfect in that it wasn't too cold, not too hot under the sun. The car ride is long, but we walked away feeling like we got enough time at each location. Better than trying to do all three!

    via Viator

    27nataljap · May 2023

    A great day at Kolsai and Kindy lakes

    It was a great experience - very long day but it was totally worth it taking into consideration a limited number of days in Kazakhstan. Our guide Minara was very knowledgeable and friendly, told us many interesting facts about the tour and Kazakhstan in general. Nature and landscapes were very beautiful, if I had more days, I would go for a 2-day tour including Charyn canyon and overnight stay in the mountains. But 1-day tour is a great option for those short of time! Thank you

    Response from the operator: Thank you a lot from our team! Glad that you enjoyed your time with us

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    13 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $227 to $499
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by NEOmad, who run 14 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 62.9.

    See everything NEOmad runs

    Why this scores 66

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)90
    Review evidence (18% weight)36
    Booking momentum (14% weight)25
    Value for money (12% weight)68
    Listing quality (10% weight)84
    Local standing (8% weight)56
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights): questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) cost?

    +

    Prices start at $227 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 / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) take?

    +

    Plan for about 13 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 / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 6 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 / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights)?

    +

    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 / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 13-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights)?

    +

    Around 2 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 13-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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 Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights)?

    +

    Included: Private transportation; Professional guide service; All Fees and Taxes; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 253 listed pickup locations in and around Almaty. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) offered in?

    +

    It runs in 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 Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights)?

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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 Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights) if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights)?

    +

    Across 6 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    What booking options are available for Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights)?

    +

    There are 2 options to choose from, including Kolsai Lake + Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake + Charyn or Kolsai. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Kolsai / Kaindy Lake / Charyn Canyon one-day tour (choose 2 of the 3 sights).

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