Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour in Almaty
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour

Outty Ranking 95 4.9 · 1,004 traveler reviews15 hoursFrom $5990+ Club

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$59
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Outty Ranking

95/100

90+ Club. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 1,004 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour worth booking?

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour is a 15-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $59 per person. It scores 95 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 1,004 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.

Outty Ranking
95 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (1,004)
Duration
15 hours
From
$59 per person

Welcome to Kazakhstan! Experience five breathtaking natural wonders in one unforgettable day from Almaty. Start at iconic Charyn Canyon — towering red rock walls carved over millions of years, often called the little br

What you get

  • National parks entrance fees
  • Bottled water
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Lunch

About this experience

Welcome to Kazakhstan! Experience five breathtaking natural wonders in one unforgettable day from Almaty. Start at iconic Charyn Canyon — towering red rock walls carved over millions of years, often called the little brother of the Grand Canyon. Continue to the mysterious Black Canyon with its dark volcanic cliffs, and the surreal Moon Canyon — pale formations that look like a lunar landscape. Then hop aboard a legendary Soviet UAZ-452 off-road van for an adventurous ride to Kaindy Lake — a submerged forest where spruce trees rise from crystal-clear turquoise water. End the day at peaceful Kolsai Lake, surrounded by pine forests and mountain peaks. In between, enjoy a homemade lunch at a local family's home in Saty village — real Kazakh hospitality our guests call the highlight of the day. Private Tour: Same epic route for your group only — flexible pace, personalized attention, no strangers. English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup from 5 AM. All entrance fees included.

What's included

Included

  • National parks entrance fees
  • Bottled water
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Lunch

Not included

  • Soft & Hard drinks
  • Special food & drinks
  • Horseback-riding 7000kzt (13$)
  • Taxi van instead of hiking 1000KZT (2$)

What you'll see and do

  1. Charyn Canyon National Park

    05:00 Pick-up and departure from Almaty 07:00 Shortstop for coffee/WC 8:30Arrival at Charyn Canyon "Valley of the Castles", visiting several spots, walking along canyon 10:00 Departure from Charyn Canyon

    60 minutes here

  2. Uzunbulak Canyon (Moon Canyon)

    Moon Canyon is a unique, pale colored section of Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan, known for its smooth, moon like landscapes that contrast with the canyon’s red cliffs.

    20 minutes here

  3. Charyn National Park

    Black Canyon, viewing spot, photographing

    20 minutes here · Admission included

  4. Lake Kaindy

    12:00 Arrival at Saty village, transfer to Kaindy Lake In Kaiyndy lake car goes until parking point. From parking until the lake 2km of walk. You can use horses or taxi insead of walking. 14:30 transfer to saty 14:30 Lunch in the guesthouse

    120 minutes here · Admission included

  5. Kolsai Lake

    16:00 Transfer to the Lower Kolsai Lake from Saty 17:00 Leaving Kolsai Lakes National Park 20:30 Shortstop for coffee/WC 22:00 Drop-off in Almaty

    60 minutes here · Admission included

Where it starts and ends

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting point

Almaty

Meeting point

Almaty

Hotel pickup

No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Ends at

Returns to the starting point

Options you can book

  • Private tour to Lakes & Canyon

    Private tour to Lakes & Canyon: Fully private tour with flexible itinerary, perfect for couples, friends and families

  • Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour

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 13 travelers per booking
Operated by
Kazakhstan Very Nice

Know before you go

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Not allowed for travelers who can not withstand long trips by car, long walks and hikes
  • Not allowed for travelers with disabilities, injuries, diseases that limit physical abilities
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • Not recommended for children under 6

Photos

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour in Almaty, photo 2Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour in Almaty, photo 3Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour in Almaty, photo 4Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour in Almaty, photo 5Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour in Almaty, photo 6Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour in Almaty, photo 7

Good to know

Duration
15 hours
Free cancellation
Up to 24h before
Minimum age to book
6+
Availability
Bookable today
Runs on
Every day
Price range
$59 to $280
Hotel pickup
No pickup, meet at start point
Booked in 30 days
351
Verdict
90+ Club

Why this scores 95

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

Traveler sentiment (30% weight)93
Review evidence (18% weight)100
Booking momentum (14% weight)100
Value for money (12% weight)100
Listing quality (10% weight)100
Local standing (8% weight)62
Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour: questions travelers ask

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

How much does Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour cost?

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Prices start at $59 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 Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour take?

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Plan for about 15 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 Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour worth it?

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It holds an Outty Ranking of 95 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 1,004 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Almaty, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.

Can I cancel or reschedule Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour?

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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, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour suitable for kids and families?

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The operator sets a minimum age of 6. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 15-hour running time when deciding.

How far in advance should I book Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour?

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Around 351 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 15-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

Where does Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour 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 with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour, Small-Group Tour: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons, 1-2 Days Singing dunes & Aktau mountains grouptour to Altyn Emel. 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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