3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Almaty, Kazakhstan

3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour

Outty Ranking 51 4.3 · 6 traveler reviews72 hoursFrom $1,445
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Outty Ranking

51/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.3/5

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

Quick answer

Is 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour worth booking?

3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour is a 72-hour experience in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from $1,445 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 6 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
51 / 100
Rating
4.3/5 (6)
Duration
72 hours
From
$1,445 per person

See three very different landscapes on one private 4x4 circuit from Almaty. Walk among the coloured Aktau and Katutau formations in Altyn-Emel, visit the Singing Dune and Charyn Canyon, then finish with Kaindy Lake and Lower Kolsai Lake. Nights in Basshi and Saty keep the route moving without returning to Almaty each evening. Your guide-driver adapts walks and viewpoints to your group. Guesthouse accommodation, meals, park entrance tickets and the local transfer towards Kaindy are included. Expect long drives and rough park tracks; horse riding and boat hire are optional extras. The standard season is April to October, subject to access and weather.

What you get

    About this experience

    See three very different landscapes on one private 4x4 circuit from Almaty. Walk among the coloured Aktau and Katutau formations in Altyn-Emel, visit the Singing Dune and Charyn Canyon, then finish with Kaindy Lake and Lower Kolsai Lake. Nights in Basshi and Saty keep the route moving without returning to Almaty each evening. Your guide-driver adapts walks and viewpoints to your group. Guesthouse accommodation, meals, park entrance tickets and the local transfer towards Kaindy are included. Expect long drives and rough park tracks; horse riding and boat hire are optional extras. The standard season is April to October, subject to access and weather.

    What's included

    Included

    • Water
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Breakfast

    Where it starts and ends

    Hotel pickup

    Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 6 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Silktravel.kz

    Know before you go

    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour in Almaty, photo 23-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour in Almaty, photo 33-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour in Almaty, photo 43-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour in Almaty, photo 53-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour in Almaty, photo 63-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour in Almaty, photo 7

    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

    4 mentions

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

    Photo opportunities

    4 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    2 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    6 verified traveler reviews for 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    5
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Glen_B · August 2024

    Great country, but choose a different tour operator

    Amazing country! We saw some stunning sights, but apart from being fairly punctual, the tour guide didn’t provide much relevant information, nor was he overly helpful in general

    Response from the operator: Dear Glen_B, we are sorry that we did not live up to your expectations and did not provide enough information, can you describe in more detail what you were not satisfied with? What information exactly did you expect to hear? Perhaps your jokes about "Borat" offended the guide? I would also like to note that it is not accepted to publicly grope women in our country.

    via Viator

    WeilingH08 · June 2024

    Great Adventure in Nature!

    The 3D2N trip was wonderful! It covered all the places we wanted to visit most and the pace was just right. We had ample time at each location to take pictures and also take in the beauty of Kazakhstan. And our wonderful experience was all thanks to our superb guide - George! He has a great sense of humour, was very knowledgeable and shared with us a lot of information at each location, we definitely learnt a lot about Kazakhstan from him during this trip. Рахмет!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your feedback. We were happy to organize this adventure for you!

    via Tripadvisor

    StJFamily · March 2020

    Great Guide, Great Tour

    Had an excellent three day small group tour to Altyn Emel, Kaindy/Kolsai and Charyn Canyon with Tau. Tau was a terrific guide and I highly recommend him. He was friendly and a lot of fun. He has lots of knowledge of the area and was very generous with his time to allow us all the opportunity to enjoy the area. Also takes great photos! The places we visited on the tour are beautiful and very worth the effort to travel there. Kazakhstan surpassed all expectations and loved my time there.

    Response from the operator: Thank you very much for your feedback. Yours review give us capability how we can improve our service. With great pleasure we have organized this trip for you. You are always welcome! With best, regards Tau.

    via Tripadvisor

    M8844AKsamg · March 2020

    Spectacular Altyn emel!

    I booked this tour in the end of season and there was not so many tourists. Tau was seriously fantastic - he did a coffee in the middle of desert! Altyn emel was amazing! I had the best time in Kazakchstan . Desert, steppe, canyons, mountains, local food and horse riding... so many things in 3 days! Be prepared to long driving, but it's worth it!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review. Yours reviews give us a new power to improve our service. We had a pleasure organized this trip for you. Regards Tau

    via Tripadvisor

    thedebbieleung · February 2020

    Unforgettable adventures and amazing guide! Thanks so much Tau!

    Our trip was more than half a year ago, and I remember it like it was just yesterday! We were super lucky to have had Tau - he brought us through Assy Plateau, Kaindy Lakes, Charyn Canyon, Ak-Tau Mountains, hot springs near the Tianshan Mountains in the Uyghur region, the Singing Sand Dunes and the snow-capped Big Almaty Peak over 5 days. He tailored our trip on the ground based on what we wanted, taking in account the weather and our fitness abilities. His driving is very safe and stable (we all fell asleep at some point) and his English is superb. He quickly became our friend (we played word games together and shared our favourite songs in Russian, Kazakh and Chinese) and took great candid photos and videos of us (he was experimenting with his own camera at the time). Unlike some other tour guides we've seen, Tau went with us on each excursion and brought us to little-known sites/trails as well as his favourite restaurants in Almaty. It was truly an unforgettable trip, and I've already given his contact to all my friends. I'm already planning my next trip back...

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review. Yours reviews give us a new power to improve our service. We had a pleasure organized this trip for you. Regards Tau

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    72 hours
    Free cancellation
    Non-refundable
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $1,445 to $2,575
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    2
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 51

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)77
    Review evidence (18% weight)36
    Booking momentum (14% weight)25
    Value for money (12% weight)60
    Listing quality (10% weight)80
    Local standing (8% weight)36
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)0

    3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $1,445 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 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour take?

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    Plan for about 72 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 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 6 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable outdoors in Almaty, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour?

    +

    No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.

    Is 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 72-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour?

    +

    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 72-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai 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?

    +

    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 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour?

    +

    Included: Water; Lunch; Dinner; and Breakfast. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Does 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour include hotel pickup?

    +

    Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 90 listed pickup locations in and around Almaty. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.

    What languages is 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai 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 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai 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 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai 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 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour 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 3-Day Private Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kaindy and Kolsai Tour?

    +

    Across 6 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

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