Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour
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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
4.9/5
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 $114 per person. It scores 71 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
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (26)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $114 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 t
What you get
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- National Park fees
- Bottled water
- Parking fees
- Professional guide/driver
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Pace and timing
5 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Small groups
4 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers 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.
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
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
A day well spent
Fantastic experience Good guide Good weather Good food A memorable day Family bonding and ...... ...
via Viator
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
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
- 1+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $114 to $460
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 9
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
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?
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Prices start at $114 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?
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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?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 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?
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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 Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 1. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 9-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour?
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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?
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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 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?
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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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