Kolsai Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyon Small-Group Express Day Tour

The Kolsai Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Express Day Tour offers travelers a chance to enjoy Kazakhstan’s remarkable natural landscapes. From the serene turquoise waters and submerged trees of Kolsai Kaindy Lake to the dramatic ravines of Charyn Canyon, this tour provides a convenient and efficient way to explore these stunning destinations. With included transportation, lunch, and national park fees, the experience is designed to be both hassle-free and enriching. But what truly sets this tour apart is the opportunity to witness the juxtaposition of these two natural wonders, each with its own captivating allure.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best Tours In Almaty.

Key Points

• This small-group tour provides air-conditioned transportation to visit Kolsai Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon, two stunning natural wonders of Kazakhstan.
• The tour includes a hearty, locally-sourced lunch and covers national park entrance fees, ensuring a comprehensive and hassle-free experience.
• The Kolsai Kaindy Lake exploration offers insights into the lake’s history and ecosystem, with scenic mountain road traversals and opportunities to appreciate the serene, turquoise waters.
• The Charyn Canyon adventure allows visitors to descend into the dramatic ravines and marvel at the unique geological formations, providing insights into the canyon’s cultural and natural history.
• The tour is designed for convenience and efficiency, with a centralized meeting point, no need for individual transfers, and a maximum group size of 15 travelers to keep costs down.

Tour Overview

This day tour whisks visitors away to two of Almaty’s most captivating natural wonders: the serene Kolsai Kaindy Lake and the dramatic Charyn Canyon.

Travelers will enjoy the convenience of an air-conditioned minibus, with a knowledgeable local guide to ensure they find the best photo spots.

The tour includes a hearty, locally-sourced lunch, allowing participants to savor the flavors of the region.

Entrance fees to the national parks are covered, and the logistics of transportation, including a ride on a classic Soviet van to reach Kaindy Lake, are all handled.

This small-group experience keeps costs down while providing an intimate and personalized exploration of these stunning natural landscapes.

Inclusions and Exclusions

The Kolsai Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyon Small-Group Express Day Tour includes a hearty local cuisine lunch, with a vegetarian option available, bottled water, air-conditioned minibus transportation, national park entrance fees, and a transfer to Kaindy Lake on a Soviet van.

However, the tour excludes any special food or soft drinks.

Plus, boating and horseback riding activities at the sites come at an additional cost.

The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible and isn’t recommended for travelers with back problems, pregnant women, or those with serious medical conditions.

Participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness as the maximum group size is 15 travelers.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup isn’t available from custom locations. The exact pickup time will be communicated a day before the tour, and the meeting point is in front of the Archeology Museum on Shevchenko St.

The tour ends back at the meeting point. This makes the logistics straightforward for participants. There’s no need to worry about arranging your own transportation to the starting point.

The tour provider will handle all the details, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. Just make sure to arrive at the designated meeting spot on time, and the rest will be taken care of.

This streamlined pickup and drop-off process allows the tour to run efficiently and focus on exploring the stunning natural sights.

Important Notes

Confirmation is provided at time of booking. This tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, and it isn’t recommended for travelers with back problems, pregnant travelers, or those with serious medical conditions. Travelers should have a moderate level of physical fitness.

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

The tour’s important notes highlight the following considerations:

• Accessibility limitations for certain travelers
• Recommended fitness level to fully enjoy the activities
• Intimate group size for a personalized experience
• Advance confirmation to ensure smooth planning

These details help set appropriate expectations and ensure the tour aligns with each traveler’s abilities and preferences, contributing to an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

Kolsai Kaindy Lake Exploration

Nestled amidst the Tian Shan mountains, Kolsai Kaindy Lake captivates visitors with its serene turquoise waters and the ghostly silhouettes of submerged trees emerging from its depths.

The tour allows travelers to explore this remarkable natural wonder, where they’ll have the chance to snap stunning photos and learn about the lake’s unique history and ecosystem.

Along the way, they’ll traverse rugged mountain roads, taking in breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks and lush alpine meadows.

With the guidance of a local expert, guests gain a deeper appreciation for the region’s rich biodiversity and the importance of preserving these fragile environments for future generations.

Charyn Canyon Adventure

Descending into the dramatic ravines of Charyn Canyon, travelers marvel at the surreal landscape sculpted by the relentless forces of wind and water over millions of years.

Carved through colorful layers of sedimentary rock, the canyon’s majestic cliffs and intricate formations captivate visitors with their awe-inspiring natural beauty.

Visitors can explore the canyon’s diverse flora and fauna, including the iconic red sandstone ‘Valley of Castles’ formation.

The tour also provides opportunities to:

• Hike along the canyon’s scenic trails
• Witness the unique geological features up close
• Capture stunning photographs of the breathtaking vistas
• Gain insights into the canyon’s rich cultural and natural history

Lunch and Local Cuisine

Travelers on this small-group tour can savor a hearty local cuisine lunch, with a vegetarian option available. The delicious meal showcases the region’s traditional flavors, prepared by skilled local chefs. Guests can expect a satisfying and authentic dining experience that complements the stunning natural scenery of the day’s destinations.

Dish	Description
Beshbarmak	A savory national dish of boiled meat and noodles
Lagman	Hand-pulled noodles in a flavorful broth with vegetables
Baursak	Fried dough balls, a beloved Kazakh snack
Kumis	Fermented mare’s milk, a traditional Central Asian beverage
Chai	Aromatic black tea, often served with milk and sugar

The included lunch ensures travelers stay energized and satisfied throughout the Kolsai Kaindy and Charyn Canyon adventure.

Transportation and Logistics

The tour’s transportation arrangements include air-conditioned minibus travel, providing a comfortable journey to the day’s destinations.

A Soviet van ferries guests up to the picturesque Kaindy Lake, immersing them in the region’s historic charm.

Pickup and drop-off occur at a centralized meeting point, ensuring a seamless start and end to the experience.

The tour logistics are designed with convenience and efficiency in mind:

• Pickup and return at a designated meeting point, eliminating the need for individual transfers
• Air-conditioned minibus for a comfortable ride
• Vintage Soviet van for the ascent to Kaindy Lake, adding a touch of local character
• No additional stops or detours, keeping the focus on the primary attractions

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Cancellation Policy for This Tour?

The cancellation policy permits full refunds up to 24 hours before the tour. Within 24 hours, no refund is available. Travelers can reschedule the tour, subject to availability, with no additional fees.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks?

Travelers are welcome to bring their own food and drinks on the tour. However, a hearty local cuisine lunch is provided, and bottled water is included. Bringing additional special food and soft drinks is not necessary.

Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment?

Travelers on this tour don’t need to bring any special equipment. The tour includes transportation, entrance fees, and a local lunch. However, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a camera are recommended to fully enjoy the scenic natural attractions.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

Unfortunately, there is no option to extend the tour duration. The tour is designed as an express day trip to Kolsai Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon. Extending the duration would require additional planning and cost.

Can I Request a Private Tour Instead of a Small Group?

Yes, travelers can request a private tour instead of a small-group tour. Private tours offer more personalized attention and flexibility, though they may cost more than the small-group option. Travelers should inquire about private tour availability and pricing.

Recap

The Kolsai Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyon Small-Group Express Day Tour offers a captivating exploration of Kazakhstan’s natural wonders.

Visitors can enjoy the serene beauty of Kolsai Kaindy Lake and the dramatic grandeur of Charyn Canyon, all while enjoying convenient transportation, a hearty local lunch, and included national park fees.

This tour provides an efficient and memorable way to experience these stunning natural attractions.