Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan

Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour

Outty Ranking 70 4.9 · 26 traveler reviews9 hoursFrom $200
Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

70/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 26 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour worth booking?

Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour is a 9-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $200 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 26 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
70 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (26)
Duration
9 hours
From
$200 per person

This special tour will cover the four most frequently visited places: Kolsai Lake, Charyn Canyon, Monn, and Black. If you haven't visited these places, you are not qualified to say that you have traveled to Almaty as a tourist.

What you get

    About this experience

    This special tour will cover the four most frequently visited places: Kolsai Lake, Charyn Canyon, Monn, and Black. If you haven't visited these places, you are not qualified to say that you have traveled to Almaty as a tourist.

    What's included

    Included

    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • National Park fees
    • Bottled water
    • Parking fees
    • Professional guide/driver

    Not included

    • Boating and horseback-riding (from 6000 KZT/person depending on route/duration)
    • Lunch

    What you'll see and do

    1. Kolsai Lake

      We will start our wonderful trip from Almaty City by picking you up from the exact place where you are accommodated, then depart to Kolsai Lake. You will admire the landscape of Kolsai Lake with tour guide for almost two hours, you can take a boat or catamaran ride around the lake if you would like to (not included)

      120 minutes here · Admission included

    2. Uzunbulak Canyon (Moon Canyon)

      in this part of tour, you will experience most spectacular view of moon and black canyon for almost one hour, and see the flow of Canyon river deep in the black rocked valley.

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    3. Charyn State National Nature Park

      After visiting Black and Moon canyon, we will drive to the Charyn Canyon, also known as the Valley of Castles, Admire the unique rock formations and take in the views of the canyon for about 2 hours, We will visit several phto spots and take echo taci to drive along the canyon for almost 2km to reach charyn river. it is the most amazing part of the tour.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    4. Lake Kaindy

      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. You've seen forests, and you've seen lakes. But when you see one inside the other, things start to feel pretty eerie. That's the essence of Kaindy Lake in Saty, Kazakhstan. A landslide a century ago created the lake atop a spruce forest — leading to some bizarre scenery.

      180 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.

    Options you can book

    • Kolsai Lake, Charyn, Black and Moon Canyon Tour

      Three Canyons & Kolsai Lake: We will cover Charyn, Moon & Black Canyons, and Kolsai Lake in this option. Minivan or 4x4 drive or SUV Pickup included

    • Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsai

      Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsai: We will cover 4 main attractions: Charyn & Black Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsai Lake. 4X4 Minivan or SUV 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 6 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Nomadtravel.kz

    Know before you go

    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Remaining time is allocated for transportation.

    Photos

    Amazing winter view in Kaindy Lake, Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour in AlmatyPrivate Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour in Almaty, photo 3Kaindy Lake, Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour in AlmatyOn the way from Kaindy Lake, Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour in AlmatyKaindy Lake in Winter, Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour in AlmatyKolsai Lake Picturing Point, Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour in Almaty

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 26 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    7 mentions

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

    Pace and timing

    5 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Small groups

    4 mentions

    The group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.

    Organization

    3 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Food and drink

    3 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    26 verified traveler reviews for Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    25
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    397janinag · November 2025

    one of the best tour guides ive met

    Mr. Erasyl is an excellent guide. he speaks fluent english and is very intelligent. it was a 6 hour roundtrip car ride and we had great conversations about a lot of things. he is very caring and always attended to our needs despite him being just a day after having his tooth extraction! so professional. doing a private tour is worth the money bec you can go at your own pace and make stops whenever necessary (for snacks and restroom breaks). The canyon is stunning. bring sunblock and some snacks bec it entails a lot of walking and climbing stairs. it was worth all the effort! the lakes are pretty to but i prefer the big almaty lake more. for me the best part is the canyons.. we even saw a wild fox. we enjoyed this trip as well as the conversations along the way. highly recommended!

    via Tripadvisor

    kathreen_s · November 2025

    Amazing Almaty

    We were very fortunate to have Erasyl as our private guide in Almaty. From early morning pickup to our return to the hotel, he took excellent care of us with his professional approach and advanced English. Erasyl impressed us with his deep knowledge of Kazakhstan's history, science, business, culture, and even politics. He shared fascinating information throughout our journey while always being respectful and mindful of cultural boundaries during our conversations. Erasyl went above and beyond during our visits to Lake Kaindy and Lake Kolsay. When I struggled with walking in these areas, he provided helpful assistance that made me feel comfortable and supported. His hard work, helpful nature, and genuine care made our experience truly special. Erasyl is a wonderful ambassador for his beautiful country Kazakhstan, and we hope he continues to share his knowledge and passion with more visitors in the future.

    via Viator

    KANIL_R · October 2025

    A day well spent

    Fantastic experience Good guide Good weather Good food A memorable day Family bonding and ...... ...

    via Viator

    gavinmX1091MZ · September 2025

    A++ Awesome Experience

    My girlfriend and I had a fantastic time. We highly recommend the private tour. It is a long day, however our guide was amazing. He was friendly, polite and extremely knowledgeable. All 3 sites are beautiful, and the private tour was perfect for taking the stress out of the day. If your in Almaty this is the best tour.

    via Tripadvisor

    DebbieD_L · August 2025

    Loved it for a flexible, customized experience

    Tour review This is a great option if you’re looking for a flexible and personalized tour/itinerary. My flight was delayed coming into Almaty and they were able to accommodate that by adjusting the start time of the tour. (I would never have made it if I’d done a group tour!) I most wanted to see Kaindy Lake and we were able to do that first, followed by a lunch break and Charyn Canyon. It was a bit of a long day but Erasyl made it fun with lots of facts about the destinations as well as Kazakh life and culture as we rode. I learned so much! Bonus - Erasyl was a great personal photographer. Overall, given my short time in Almaty, it was great to have this flexible option and have everything completely customized to your priorities. Highly recommend!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    9 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $200 to $460
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    9
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Nomadtravel.kz, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.9.

    See everything Nomadtravel.kz runs

    Why this scores 70

    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)60
    Booking momentum (14% weight)52
    Value for money (12% weight)54
    Listing quality (10% weight)61
    Local standing (8% weight)56
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $200 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 Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 9 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 Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 26 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.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour?

    +

    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 Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour?

    +

    Around 9 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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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 Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour?

    +

    Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; National Park fees; Bottled water; Parking fees; and Professional guide/driver. Not included: Boating and horseback-riding (from 6000 KZT/person depending on route/duration); and Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 184 listed pickup locations in and around Almaty. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour 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 Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour?

    +

    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 Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Almaty. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.

    What do travelers say about Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour?

    +

    Across 26 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, small groups, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    What booking options are available for Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour?

    +

    There are 2 options to choose from, including Kolsai Lake, Charyn, Black and Moon Canyon Tour, Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & 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 Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour.

    Pick your date