2 Day Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon Tour from Almaty

Follow our travels: Instagram · YouTube

A trip to see the lakes and canyons outside Almaty is a MUST when staying in the city. Finding a tour that takes care of the long drives, accommodation and planning makes seeing these incredible places so much easier and, for us, far more enjoyable.

Over two days, we visited Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lakes, Saty village, Black Canyon, Moon Canyon and Charyn Canyon with Join Me Asia. There is a reasonable amount of driving involved, particularly getting to and from Almaty, but because everything was organised for us, it never felt stressful. It also meant we could fit all of these places into two days, which worked perfectly with our Central Asia itinerary.

The tour is definitely packed, but we would have hated to leave Almaty without seeing all of these places. In this guide, we will take you through exactly what our two-day tour looked like, where we stayed, what it cost, what we would pack, and whether we think it is worth booking.

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book or purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep creating free travel guides.

Quick Guide to Our 2-Day Almaty Tour

Starting point: Almaty

Length: 2 days / 1 night

Overnight: Guesthouse in Saty

Main stops: Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lakes, Black Canyon, Moon Canyon and Charyn Canyon

Transport: Minibus/coach + UAZ off-road vehicle to Kaindy

Difficulty: Easy–moderate

What we paid: 53,000 KZT per person

Best for: Travellers wanting to see the major natural sights around Almaty without hiring a car

We booked the tour with JoinMeAsia through GetYourGuide. The listing advertised prices from around 42,500 KZT per person, while our booking came to 53,000 KZT per person. Prices can change depending on the date and availability, so check the current price for your trip.

👉 Check the 2-day Kolsai, Kaindy and Charyn Canyon tour here

Our price covered transport, accommodation, three meals and park entrance fees; lunch on Day 2 was extra. Optional activities such as the Kolsai pedal boats also cost extra. We were able to use an ATM at the first stop, so we did not need to carry all of our cash from Almaty.

Stay Connected with an eSIM 📱

We personally use Airalo when we travel. You can have mobile data ready before you arrive, without needing to find a SIM card at the airport.

Get 15% Off Your First eSIM

Get 10% Off Your Next eSIM

Affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Why We Chose a 2-Day Tour from Almaty

We chose a two-day tour from Almaty because it gave us enough time to see everything we wanted while still leaving us time to enjoy Almaty itself. Our Central Asia itinerary was fairly tight, so spending several days organising our own transport between each lake and canyon was not something we wanted to do.

The biggest advantage was the convenience. We did not need to rent a car, work out the route, organise a guesthouse in Saty or worry about getting between the different attractions. We simply got on the bus in Almaty and everything from that point was organised for us.

You could absolutely do this trip independently if you enjoy road trips and want more freedom. The main attractions are all within the same broader region, and Saty is a good base for Kaindy and Kolsai. Travelling independently would also let you spend longer at each stop.

For us, though, two days felt like the sweet spot. A one-day trip would involve an enormous amount of driving and would feel rushed, while a three-day trip would be a great option if you have more time but was not necessary for what we wanted to see. The two-day itinerary is busy, but we still felt like we had enough time to enjoy each of the major stops.

Day 1: Almaty → Kaindy Lake → Kolsai Lake → Saty

This is a rundown of what the tour schedule looked like for us. Timings can change because of traffic, weather and the group, but it should give you a good idea of what to expect.

6:00am – Meeting in Almaty

With a 6:00am meeting time in the Kazakh State Circus car park, we were in a Yandex by around 5:40am. We had no trouble finding a car that early and were checked in and on the bus ready for the 6:20am departure.

One small tip: choose a seat you like, because that will be your seat for the whole trip! Our group filled an entire bus with around 40 people. It was comfortable and, thankfully, had curtains, which made it easier to catch up on sleep.

We each brought one small overnight bag with clothes, water, snacks, sunscreen and a jacket for wind or rain. You do not need specialist equipment; comfortable walking shoes were enough for everything we did.

The Drive from Almaty to Saty

The first leg was roughly five hours from Almaty towards Saty, with a couple of stops along the way. Most of the roads were smooth, with a few winding sections in the hills. It is a good chance to sleep, but if you are terrible at napping like me, download something beforehand because mobile internet becomes patchy.

Getting to Kaindy Lake

After arriving in Saty, we transferred into UAZ off-road vehicles for the final journey towards Kaindy Lake. It was an experience in itself: gravel roads, hills, plenty of bouncing around and, in our case, a door that seemed to stay open for most of the roughly ten-minute ride.

Hiking to Kaindy Lake

There were three ways to continue towards Kaindy Lake when we visited: horse, vehicle or walking. The horse and vehicle options cost extra, so we decided to walk.

The walk took us around 30 minutes uphill and was not particularly difficult. We enjoyed doing it on foot because you can take in the mountain scenery, cross small bridges over flowing water and get away from the busy parking area. Normal walking shoes were fine for us.

Kaindy Lake: Was It Worth It?

Kaindy Lake itself is incredible and completely different from the other lakes we visited in Central Asia. It is famous for the tree trunks standing vertically through the water, which were left submerged after a major landslide following the 1911 earthquake.

You can walk around the edge and see the submerged trees from several angles, including viewing platforms and rocks beside the shoreline. There is less space to explore than at Kolsai, but Kaindy is so unusual that it is absolutely worth seeing in person.

Back to Saty: Guest House Miras-Aydos and Lunch

We followed the same route back down from Kaindy, which was slightly quicker thanks to it being downhill, then took the UAZ back to the main bus in Saty. From there, the group was split between local guesthouses around the village.

We stayed at Guest House Miras-Aydos. The accommodation was organised for us as part of the tour, rather than something we booked ourselves. We have not been able to find a normal online booking page for it since, so if you are travelling independently, the easiest option is to search for the guesthouse on Google Maps and contact the property directly.

There were around eight people staying at our guesthouse. The rooms were simple but comfortable, and our host provided our next three meals. We arrived at around 2:00pm and had lunch shortly afterwards. There was no Wi-Fi, but we did have mobile service. In summer the room was warm, so our portable fan was very useful.

Our host was so welcoming. We have described it as feeling a little like staying with our grandparents: being welcomed into someone's home, fed far more than we could eat and looked after from the moment we arrived. The guesthouse experience became one of our favourite parts of the overnight tour.

Kolsai Lake

We were picked up from the guesthouse at around 3:00pm for the short drive to Lower Kolsai Lake.

As soon as you arrive, you are surrounded by incredible scenery. The lake sits between steep green mountain slopes covered in trees, and the whole area feels much larger and more open than Kaindy.

We had almost three hours at Lower Kolsai, enough to explore at a relaxed pace. The middle and upper lakes require much longer hikes and are not part of this two-day itinerary.

The main photo area near the entrance was busy, but people spread out quickly around the lake. We headed down to water level and followed the path past a small ice cream stand, a café and the pedal boats. We stopped at the café for a Coke beside the window, with one of those picture-perfect views you see when you first search Kolsai Lake online.

Afterwards, we rented a pedal boat for 10,000 KZT for 40 minutes. Once we were out on the water, it felt much more independent than being part of a large tour group and gave us time to enjoy the scenery by ourselves.

An ice cream back on shore gave us the energy we needed for the walk uphill to the bus before heading back to Saty for dinner.

Out of Kaindy and Kolsai, Kolsai was our favourite lake. Kaindy is more unusual, but Kolsai gives you much more space to explore and was the sort of place we could happily have spent an entire afternoon.

Dinner and Bonfire in Saty

We returned to Saty at approximately 6:30pm, with dinner at our guesthouse at around 7:00pm. Dinner was a mountain of delicious Kazakh manti made by our host, and there was far more food than we could finish.

The evening programme started at around 9:00pm with an optional bonfire party not far from the guesthouses. The bus took us over, and even though only around 20 people from our group joined, the party quickly got going.

Our guide said there are often several tour groups at the bonfire, but that night it was just us. People brought their own drinks, and we danced, played games and learned a few Kazakh songs and dances around the fire.

By around 10:30pm, we were exhausted and walked back to Guest House Miras-Aydos for the night after a very full but fantastic first day.

Day 2: Saty → Black Canyon → Moon Canyon → Charyn Canyon → Almaty

Breakfast and Leaving Saty

Day 2 started earlier than the original itinerary because the guides were trying to get us ahead of an afternoon storm. We were up at 6:30am and had breakfast at 7:00am, with porridge and tea to start the day.

There was no complicated checkout process because the guesthouse had been arranged through the tour. We packed our small bags, said goodbye and thanked our host, and were ready when the bus pickups began at around 8:00am.

From Saty, it was less than 30 minutes to our first stop of the day: Black Canyon.

Black Canyon

We arrived at Black Canyon at around 8:30am. It is a deep, long canyon with a river running through the bottom, and for us it looked even more dramatic with dark storm clouds building behind it.

This is only a short viewpoint stop rather than a hike. We had around 20 minutes at a dedicated viewing area before getting back on the bus.

It is still worth the stop. Calling it the least impressive canyon of the day says more about how good Moon Canyon and Charyn Canyon are than anything negative about Black Canyon, and the viewpoint gives you fantastic photos.

Moon Canyon

Moon Canyon was our second stop and is only a short drive from Black Canyon. We arrived at approximately 9:00am and were given close to 30 minutes to walk along the edge and explore.

We followed a dirt path for around 100 metres parallel to the river below, giving us several views into the canyon. The most popular photo spot was an overhanging ledge with the canyon behind it; take care around the exposed edges.

Charyn Canyon and the Valley of Castles

Our final stop, and the main event of Day 2, was Charyn Canyon. We stopped along the way to buy lunch, where we each picked up takeaway containers full of local food. There was so much that neither of us managed to finish it.

We arrived at Charyn at around 11:00am and were given roughly three hours to explore. Our guide explained the different ways we could use the time. One option was to walk much further through the Valley of Castles before returning, while another was to spend less time inside the canyon and then explore the viewpoints along the top.

We chose the second option. We walked around halfway through the canyon and back, then used the remaining time to walk along the rim and see the landscape from above.

What Charyn Canyon Is Actually Like

The first thing that stood out was the colour and shape of the cliffs. Parts of Charyn genuinely look like another planet, with huge orange and red rock walls and strange spires rising through the canyon.

The walk was straightforward, descending gradually on a mostly smooth dirt path before the uphill return. Our walk inside the canyon took around 90 minutes return, including photo stops.

The hardest part for us was the heat. We visited in July and, even on an overcast day, temperatures inside the canyon were above 40°C. We had several bottles of water with us, although by the end they were almost as warm as the air.

Once we got back to the top, we bought a cold drink, used the surprisingly nice bathrooms and then continued along the rim. The upper path has several places where you can look down into the canyon you have just walked through. Seeing the people below looking like tiny dots gives you a much better sense of how deep and enormous the canyon really is.

With the storm getting closer, we made our way back towards the bus through some very strong headwinds and finished exploring at around 2:00pm.

How Long Do You Need at Charyn Canyon?

The three hours we had at Charyn Canyon were enough for us. If your main goal is hiking, you could easily spend much longer and may prefer travelling independently. For a two-day tour that also includes Kaindy, Kolsai, Black Canyon and Moon Canyon, three hours felt like a good balance.

The Drive Back to Almaty

We ended up leaving Charyn Canyon at around 2:30pm and arrived back in Almaty before 7:00pm, where we were dropped at the same Kazakh State Circus car park we had left from the morning before.

The drive back was easy. After two very full days, pretty much everyone was tired and more than happy to sit quietly while someone else did the driving.

Our Full 2-Day Tour Itinerary

These are the approximate timings from our actual tour. They differed from the advertised schedule on Day 2 because our guides moved everything earlier to try to beat an incoming storm. Traffic, weather and the group can all affect the exact timings.

Time	Activity
Day 1
6:00am	Meet at Kazakh State Circus car park in Almaty
6:20am	Depart Almaty
~11:00am	Arrive in Saty and transfer to UAZ vehicles
~11:30am	Arrive at the Kaindy parking area
Late morning–early afternoon	Walk to and explore Kaindy Lake
~2:00pm	Return to Saty and check into Guest House Miras-Aydos
~2:00–2:30pm	Lunch at the guesthouse
3:00pm	Pick-up for Lower Kolsai Lake
Afternoon	Almost three hours exploring Kolsai Lake
~6:30pm	Return to Saty
7:00pm	Dinner at the guesthouse
9:00pm	Optional bonfire
~10:30pm	We headed back to the guesthouse
Day 2
6:30am	Wake up
7:00am	Breakfast
8:00am	Guesthouse pickups and depart Saty
8:30am	Black Canyon
~8:50am	Leave Black Canyon
~9:00am	Moon Canyon
~9:30am	Leave Moon Canyon; lunch stop en route
11:00am	Arrive at Charyn Canyon / Valley of Castles
~2:00pm	Finish exploring Charyn Canyon
~2:30pm	Depart for Almaty
Before 7:00pm	Arrive back at the Kazakh State Circus car park in Almaty

How Much Does the 2-Day Tour Cost?

Our tour cost 53,000 KZT per person, which at the time was roughly $160 AUD / $115 USD. This included:

All transport from and back to Almaty
UAZ transport towards Kaindy Lake
One night of accommodation in Saty
Three meals
Park entrance fees

The main extra expense for us was the pedal boat at Kolsai Lake, which cost 10,000 KZT for 40 minutes. We also bought drinks, snacks and lunch on Day 2.

We would recommend having an extra 20,000–30,000 KZT available if you want the freedom to buy drinks, food and optional activities without worrying about cash. We personally spent around 15,000 KZT each on top of the tour price, but having a little extra is useful.

There was an ATM at the first stop on Day 1 when we travelled, so we were able to withdraw more cash there.

For a comfortable budget, we would allow roughly 70,000–85,000 KZT per person in total for the two days, including the tour and extras.

What to Pack for Kaindy, Kolsai and Charyn Canyon

You do not need much specialist equipment for this tour, but these are the things we found useful:

Comfortable walking shoes
Light layers, even in summer for the evening in Saty
Rain jacket
Sunscreen
Hat
Moisturiser
Plenty of water
Snacks
Power bank
Cash
Small overnight bag
Handheld or portable fan if travelling in summer
Camera
Motion-sickness tablets if long or winding bus journeys affect you

The biggest things we would emphasise in summer are water, sunscreen and something for the heat. Charyn Canyon was extremely hot when we visited in July, while Saty was cooler later in the evening, so having layers worked well.

Kaindy Lake vs Kolsai Lake vs Charyn Canyon: Which Was Our Favourite?

All three are worth visiting, but if we had to rank the major stops from our trip, this would be our order:

🥇 1. Kolsai Lake
Kolsai Lake takes the top spot for us. It was the most beautiful place to simply spend an afternoon, there was plenty of space to explore, and we loved taking a pedal boat out onto the water. The temperature around the lake was also much more comfortable than Charyn Canyon.

🥈 2. Charyn Canyon
Charyn Canyon was our second favourite and probably had the most unique landscape of the entire trip. The only thing stopping it from taking first place was the heat and exposure inside the canyon. The scenery itself is second to none.

🥉 3. Kaindy Lake
Kaindy Lake comes third, but that does not mean it is disappointing. The submerged trees make it unlike any other lake we have visited. There is simply less area to explore compared with Kolsai, so we did not feel like we needed as long there.

Is the 2-Day Tour Worth It?

Yes — absolutely. For us, the two-day Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lake and Charyn Canyon tour was one of the highlights of our time in Kazakhstan.

If you are travelling to Almaty, these are some of the places we would consider must-sees, and this tour makes them accessible without needing to organise a rental car, accommodation, meals or a complicated route yourself.

The positives are that you see a huge amount in two days, all transport is organised, you get the overnight experience in Saty, and accommodation and most meals are included. The trade-off is an early start, plenty of time on the bus and a fairly rigid schedule.

If you are someone who loves long independent road trips and wants complete control over every stop, hiring a car may suit you better. For most travellers who want to see the highlights without dealing with the logistics, though, we think the organised two-day option is fantastic value.

1-Day vs 2-Day Kolsai and Charyn Canyon Tour

It is possible to visit some of these places on a one-day tour from Almaty, but we would strongly choose the two-day option again.

A one-day trip can easily become a 14–16 hour day once you factor in the driving, leaving much less time at the places you travelled so far to see. The night in Saty breaks up the journey and gives you several hours at both Kolsai and Charyn. If you can find the extra day, we think the two-day option is worth it.

FAQs About Visiting Kolsai, Kaindy and Charyn Canyon

Can you visit Kolsai Lakes from Almaty?

Yes. You can visit by organised tour or drive yourself. Because of the distance, we prefer staying overnight in Saty rather than rushing there and back.

How far is Kolsai Lake from Almaty?

Allow roughly four to five hours by road depending on traffic, stops and conditions. That long drive is one of the main reasons we preferred doing the trip over two days.

Can you visit Kaindy Lake without a tour?

Yes, but you will need your own transport to Saty and then a way to cover the rougher final section towards Kaindy.

How difficult is the hike to Kaindy Lake?

We found it fairly easy. Our uphill walk took around 30 minutes on a gravel path. If you do not want to walk, there were paid horse and vehicle options available when we visited.

How many days do you need for Kolsai Lake and Charyn Canyon?

We recommend two days from Almaty. The driving takes up a large part of the trip, and an overnight stay gives you much more time at the main stops.

Where do you stay on a two-day tour?

Our tour split the group between local guesthouses in Saty. We stayed at Guest House Miras-Aydos, where our host also provided lunch, dinner and breakfast.

Can you book Guest House Miras-Aydos online?

Our stay was booked for us through JoinMeAsia, so we did not reserve it ourselves. We have not found a standard online booking page since our visit. If you want to stay there independently, we would search for Guest House Miras-Aydos on Google Maps and contact the property directly.

Is Charyn Canyon worth visiting?

Definitely. Charyn Canyon was one of our favourite stops of the whole tour. The landscape is completely different from the lakes and gives the second day a very different feel.

When is the best time to visit?

We visited in July and Charyn Canyon was extremely hot, even with cloud cover. If you prefer milder walking temperatures, avoid the hottest part of summer and check the forecast before you go.

Do you need hiking boots?

We did not. Comfortable walking shoes were enough for everything we did on this tour. Proper hiking shoes may be useful in wet or colder conditions, but there were no technical hikes on our itinerary.

Is the UAZ ride to Kaindy Lake safe?

We felt safe during our ride, although the road is rough and the vehicles are very different from a normal city taxi. The drivers make this journey regularly, but conditions can change, so follow the instructions from your guide and driver.

Planning More of Central Asia?

If this tour is part of a bigger Central Asia trip, these guides may help with the rest of your planning:

Or use our free Sam and Rach Travel Trip Planner to build your own Central Asia route, change the number of nights and compare stops.

Final Thoughts

Doing a two-day tour from Almaty to Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake and Charyn Canyon with JoinMeAsia was one of the highlights of our Central Asia trip.

We were able to see parts of Kazakhstan we had wanted to visit for a long time, and sometimes it is so nice to simply have everything planned for you. The transport, guesthouse, food and timing were all taken care of, which meant we could focus on enjoying the places we had travelled all that way to see.

Great people, a fantastic overnight experience in Saty and some of the most incredible landscapes in Kazakhstan made for an unforgettable two days. If you have the time while visiting Almaty, we would absolutely recommend adding this tour to your itinerary.