
One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes
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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
5.0/5
Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes worth booking?
One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes is a 12-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $50 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (18)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $50 per person
In one day you can visit the most beautiful places with Spectacular nature Charyn Canyon "little brother of Grand Canyon", Kolsay lake- pearl of Tyan Shan mountain and Kaindy lake- flooded forest. Incredible view,the mos
What you get
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
About this experience
In one day you can visit the most beautiful places with Spectacular nature Charyn Canyon "little brother of Grand Canyon", Kolsay lake- pearl of Tyan Shan mountain and Kaindy lake- flooded forest. Incredible view,the most unusual, mysterious and inexplicable natural phenomena won't leave you indifferent. Inspire yourself with the beauty of Kazakhstan nature.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- All Fees and Taxes
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Lunch
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Boating/16 usd, horse riding /23usd per person half an hour
What you'll see and do
Charyn State National Nature Park
From Almaty to Charyn Canyon 2,5 hours by private car. The Canyon has been described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother. The Canyon itself is approximately 150 km long, and, in places up to 300 meters deep. We will visit "Valley of Castles", the length is 2,5 km, the depth is 20-80 meters. The story of the Canyon is that it was formed about 25 million years ago. If you are keen of hiking, we can for hiking 2.5km for one side till the Charyn river or we can take a car with open roof to admire the view from the car. There are spectacular, beautiful view of Canyon and river.
300 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Kaindy
After Charyn Canyon we will go to Saty village where we will have lunch in local guest house or yurt. After lunch it will take 40 minutes to Kaindy lake. We will change car 2 times (old cars), after that we will walk around 15 minutes to reach Kaindy lake. Free time on Kaindy lake will take around 1 hour. Lake Kaindy is at an altitude of 2000m and geologically very young. This 400m long lake was formed in 1911 after an earthquake triggered an enormous limestone landslide, which formed a natural dam in the gorge that was covered by spruce trees.
360 minutes here · Admission included
Kolsai Lake
After Kaindy we will go to Kolsay lake through Saty village by our own car. Kolsay Lakes – one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan. These lakes are located at heights 1800, 2250 and 2700 metres above sea level. We will visit the first lake, which is located at the height of 1818 metres, has the length of 1 km, and width about 300 metres. Once visited this place, will never forget their magnificence and calmness around
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Almaty Inspiration Tour
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $50 to $480
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Almaty.
How much does One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes cost?
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Prices start at $50 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 One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes take?
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Plan for about 12 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 One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 18 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 One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes?
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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 One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 12-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes?
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Around 6 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 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and 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, 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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