Charyn Canyon’s red rock formations, Kolsai’s alpine lake, and Kaindy’s sunken forest are three of the best natural sites near Almaty, and there’s one tour that promises all three in a single day. No rental car. No route planning. No marshrutkas. Just a pickup, a minibus, and 17 hours (ish) door to door. That last part is the catch; this is a long day, with a 04:30–05:00 pickup and roughly 9.5 hours of driving. Whether that’s worth it depends on the kind of traveler you are. We rarely do tours like this; I can count the number we’ve done on the fingers of one hand. But we did this one.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN OUR DISCLAIMER
That’s right, we booked this exact tour. Here’s an honest breakdown of what you actually get, what we thought, why we did it, what other travelers say, and whether it’s the right call for your trip. Here’s what to expect if you visit Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake, and Kaindy Lake in one day.
Honestly? Book this if you want Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake, and Kaindy Lake covered in one day and don’t want to plan the logistics yourself. Skip it if you hate early starts, or would rather see one or two of these in a more leisurely fashion instead of racing through all three. For most people, yes, it’s worth it, but go in knowing it’s a definitely long, occasionally chaotic day. We’d do it again.
Overview of the Charyn Canyon, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Day Trip
Here’s what’s actually in the tour, hour by hour, and what it costs once you add the extras. And yes, it’s significantly less than if you try to get to all of these places individually and independently.
TOP THING TO DO
Book THIS day trip for the best experience
One full – 17 hour long – day and you’ll get to see Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lake and Charyn Canyon. It’s fun, someone else does the driving and you get to snooze between stops too!
What’s Actually Included in the One-Day Tour
- Transport in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibus. There are two versions of this trip, a small-bus version and a big-bus version. You want the small bus. Why? Because you don’t want to be waiting for 40-odd or so other people to get back on the bus at the stops. Or for the interminable amount of time that the lunch stop will take.
- A professional English-speaking guide.
- Entry tickets to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake.
- The transfer to the Kaindy Lake parking area on a Soviet-era UAZ or minibus, a novelty in itself.
- Raincoats in case of rain, plus a group photo.
Now you need to be aware that there are two versions of this tour. One that goes in a coach that’s this one
And it’s slightly cheaper than the one that goes in the smaller minibus, which is this one.
You need to book the second one (aka this one).
Why? It’s quicker on the drives. It’s quicker getting in and out of the bus. And it’s a LOT quicker when you get to the lunch stop.
What’s Not Included
- Food (there’s a brief breakfast stop at a gas station for you to buy coffee/snacks; lunch costs about 5,000 KZT (US$10) at a local cafe)
- The optional 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) Kaindy horseback ride (8,000 KZT / US$15), or “eco-taxi”
- The optional 30-minute boat or catamaran ride at Kolsai (10,000 KZT / US$20).
- The optional “eco-taxi” at Charyn Canyon 1,800 KZT per person each way.
- All of these additional items are paid on-site in cash. (KZT – read my guide to Kazakh currency here.)
The Day Trip Itinerary, Hour by Hour
This is the tour itinerary breakdown. Note that the order sometimes changes.
When we did this tour, we finished with Charyn Canyon, and it was dark by the time we climbed back to the top of the Canyon. Because of an earlier vehicle breakdown, some people in our group didn’t make it in daylight. Read on for more details.
- 04:30–05:00: Pickup from Baitursynov 104, opposite the Astana International Hotel. It might be a little earlier. Public transit in Almaty doesn’t run at that time of the morning, so get yourself a YandexGo or InDrive. Or walk (we just walked the 20 or so minutes to the Hotel, on the basis that we’d be sat in a van for most of the rest of the day).
- Drive: about 2.5 hours to Charyn Canyon
- Charyn Canyon: hike, about 1.5 hours
- Drive: about 45 minutes, with an optional 15-minute stop at Black Canyon (we stopped here)
- Drive: about 1.5 hours to Kolsai Lake
- Kolsai Lake: lunch and free time, about 1 hour
- Drive: about 50 minutes to Kaindy
- Kaindy: walk, take an eco taxi, optional horseback ride, about 1.5 hours
- Drive: about 4 hours back to Almaty
- Arrival back in the city: around 21:00–22:00
As I mentioned, the order is slightly different from their description, with Charyn Canyon being last on some tours. Just go with it and have fun.
However, if you add it up, roughly 9.5 of the 17 hours is spent driving.
The good news is that it’s not you driving. And snoozing is easy.
How Much It Costs (and What’s Extra)
- The base price is from US$42 per adult, although the price (and itinerary) might change a little with different seasons.
- There’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, with a reserve now, pay later option available
- The realistic costs per person are:
- the US$42 tour
- US$10 for lunch, plus any extras you add
- US$15 for the horseback ride
- US$20 for the boat ride
- About US$1 per “eco-taxi”)
- Budget US$70–105 depending on how many extras you take. You can check the current price here.
Is 17 Hours Too Long for a Day Trip?
When we’re planning a day like this, we spend a long time figuring out how long we actually want in a place. A photo stop? A couple of hours? Half a day? Overnight? That decision dictates the “how” of getting there, and what we actually want to do once we’re there: a hike, a particular meal, an overnight stop somewhere special.
For Charyn Canyon, Kolsai, and Kaindy, we could have stayed overnight “vaguely close” to them. But the public transport options meant we’d spend longer getting there than actually being there. So we went for this day trip instead.
That’s why we were up at 04:00 and not back in the city until 22:00. Back in the same bed, no packing and unpacking needed.
The tradeoff is straightforward: roughly 9.5 of the 17-ish hours are spent driving, and the pickup is at 04:30. The other folks who were on the trip with us said that although it was a long, tiring day even when they loved it: “didn’t imagine that it would actually be 17hrs n… the result was exactly 17hrs,” “a long but good use of our time.” We’d agree with both these sentiments.
It’s a lot of bus time between three very different, very worthwhile stops. If you’re ticking off Almaty’s highlights on a first visit and don’t mind a long day, then it’s worth it.
The only thing I can really relate it to is when we flew to Bangladesh, having to transit via Mumbai and arriving in Dhaka airport after a stupidly long time awake. Immigration while you’re half awake is either a blessing or a blur.
What the Day Trip Is Actually Like
The logistics are one thing. Here’s how the day went for us.
Our visit took us to Black Canyon first, then Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lake, and finally Charyn Canyon.
First. The Black Canyon, and we got there around 07:30 (after driving around 180 kilometers (111 miles) for a 20-minute stop. The Black Canyon is inside Charyn Canyon National Park and is known for the dark rock formations. Hence the name.
The scenery is spectacular. Dried grass and black rock. The river below and a scattering of trees alongside the river contrast beautifully. And then there’s the snow-covered mountains in the backdrop. It’s stunning.
Make sure you step away from the group and walk as far as you can; I promise the views into the canyon are worth it. For the best views, then head to the right as you drive.
There’s a small shop here selling hot drinks, noodles and the like if you missed breakfast. But there’s no time to waste. After 20 minutes we’re all back in the minivan heading for our next stop.
All along the way, herds of horses. Mountains. Steppe.
Our VIP minibus took us to the outskirts of a town called Sary, where we’d return for lunch before transferring into another vehicle.
The transfer that you make at this point is to get you up to the road for the parking lot for Kolsai Lake. We were expecting an old Russian UAZ, and we ended up piled into what looked and felt like an old school bus instead. The company had two guides and two VIP minibuses of people.
We were a mix of nationalities, but the dominant group was Indian, followed by Korean. We were pretty sure we were the only native English speakers. Our guide, Aisultan, “you can call me Ice,” put on his DJ hat, and we bounced, slid, and skidded all the way up the mud, gravel, and rutted track to the lake to his playlist, played at a volume designed to blow your eardrums if you’re sat right next to the speakers.
Which, of course, we were.
The journey, which involved several river crossings, a lot of muddy ruts and lurches, took about 25 minutes, and we arrived – in our “eco taxi” at the parking lot for this “eco-taxi” we’d taken up. As of August 2026 this road has been revamped and its a lot less muddy and rutted, but there are still some river crossings to make.
Oh, don’t despair, but you’re not there yet. Now there are options to get to Kolsai Lake.
You can walk; we were guided with a vague directional wave of the hand, about 40 minutes maybe.
We could take another “eco-taxi” (aka UAZ) for 1,000 KZT each way, or ride horses for 5,000 KZT one way or 7,000 KZT return.
We were in Kazakhstan. We rode horses. Nigel agreed on the basis that “yes, yes, they’ll all be tied together.” Of course they weren’t, but the horses knew the route. We had to wait for them to be saddled, and most arrived hobbled, looking as though they’d had a rough night on the steppe.
It’s about a 40-minute ride up. The walking route had changed recently when we were there, so you have to walk the same way the horses go, and yes, it’s muddy. And yes, there’s lots of horse poop on the trail too. And yes, if you’re walking, the horses get priority.
Kaindy Lake is fairly new; it formed in 1911 after an earthquake released a massive rock slide that blocked the gorge. The dead tree stumps left standing in the lake are picturesque in a post-apocalyptic sort of way.
At the lake, we scrambled around the other tourists looking for a good photo, decided to embrace the kitschy trip we were on, and went full eagle-hunting family, dressing up. And yes, that eagle is darned heavy to hold!
There are toilets at the parking lot at the bottom and at the lake. It’s pay to play, 100 KZT for a visit. Cash only.
Traditional garb taken off, we headed back to the horses, mounted up and headed back down to the school bus, which took us back down the rutted road, through the rivers and to our lunch stop.
On trips like that, you’re taken to a specific place to eat, which is usually nowhere near anywhere else to eat, but is generally set up to cater for large groups descending on it. We got there before the big bus arrived. Just. And when I say, get your order in quick, just do it. Otherwise you’ll get stuck in between everyone in that big group.
Our guide, Aisultan, I’m sorry, I mean Ice, had gone even one better and given us the menu options when we were en route from the Black Canyon, and he’d phoned in our orders. Genius. The man is a genius. (Don’t forget to give your guide a tip if he’s as good as Ice was!)
There are toilets at the lunch stop as well.
After lunch, it was about another 20-minute drive to our next stop, Kolsai Lake.
There are actually 3 Kolsai Lakes, and this is another big, touristy spot. You’ll notice it from the size of the parking lot, which is at the top of the hill. And if you just want to look at the first lake from a distance, then you can do that relatively easily. You just need to walk down the road a short way.
You can easily walk to the first lake, although it’s a steep hill down, and it takes about 15 minutes to get down there on foot. There are horse and UAZ options to take as well, of course, additional extra, no published pricing.
About halfway down there’s another option to get a kitschy photo taken with the eagle and play dress up if you missed it at Kaindy Lake.
After the first lake, the trails are very steep, 2-3 hours and 8 kilometers (5 miles) up to the next lake, and so on. On this day trip, we didn’t have time for that, so we explored the boardwalks put in to protect the lake’s edges from the volume of visitors. It’s pretty. Really pretty.
You can take the boardwalk to the left or the right. We did both. The left-hand route heads towards the catamaran and other boats, and you can take a trip on the lake as well. You can take a kayak out for an hour for 15,000 KZT or a pedal boat for the same price. It’s a glorious walk through the woods. And you might just get a moment’s peace and quiet as well.
There are coffee shops here, a restaurant with stunning views and a glorious deck. And there are ice cream stores too. The stop at Kolsai Lakes is around an hour. Enough to explore briefly, but obviously if you want to spend more time here, you don’t want to come on this tour.
And so it was time to head to our final stop. Charyn Canyon. We’d just made it back to the town of Sary when there was a loud, ominous clunk from under the VIP minibus, followed by some nasty grinding sounds. We stopped. Various men from the bus got out, looked under the bus, checked the bonnet, tried second gear, and decided it wasn’t going to work. Either the gearbox or the clutch; either way, the van wasn’t going anywhere.
Ice told us not to worry; he’d find cars to get us to the next stop. And fair play to him, he did. After about 50 minutes, a comfortable seven-seater pulled up, and we were allocated to it along with an Indian couple and a Polish guy. Curiously, it was right-hand drive.
When the other two vehicles arrived for our group, we set off. Ice came with us; he said we had the fastest driver, so he was riding along to make sure we got there first. He wasn’t kidding about the fastest driver, or getting there first. I imagine Ice was there to flag oncoming traffic the driver couldn’t see before he pulled out, but it didn’t seem to make much difference. We arrived at Charyn Canyon in one piece. The canyon closes at 18:00; it was coming up on 17:00 when get got there. It takes 40-plus minutes to walk one way to the bottom and end of the canyon. There’s an “eco-taxi” to bring you back, but Ice said that had probably stopped for the day, so we should walk some way and then come back for the overlook.
The five of us set off at a fast yomp, determined to make the river at the end of the canyon. It was gloriously empty. Just the five of us, and we had the Valley of the Castles to ourselves, in the fast-approaching dark.
We made it to the end with not a hope of getting back before our 18:30 deadline for our vehicle back to Almaty with Ice, unless the eco-taxi was still running.
It was, but the ticket office had closed, and you couldn’t buy tickets. The bloke who sells them was out back smoking and refusing to sell any more. The driver took pity on us and the Indian couple and bundled us into the cab with him; the other paying riders rode in the back. Our Polish companion had decided to yomp back and was already long gone. Don’t worry, we’d paid; the driver just made a little cash in hand on his last run of the day. We passed a large group, maybe 15 people, still down there, and it was really dark by then, so it probably wasn’t his last run after all.
We were lucky; others in our group, who’d been allocated slower drivers in the replacement vehicles, didn’t get there in time to see anything.
And then it was 200 kilometers (124 miles) back to Almaty, though the driver wanted dinner first, conveniently at a shop selling “genuine” souvenirs. It’s a long, eventful day, but an easy way to see some really rather lovely spots, and thanks to Ice’s ingenuity, we made it to the end of the canyon too.
Who This Tour Is (and Isn’t) Right For
- First-time in Almaty and want Charyn Canyon, Kolsai, and Kaindy covered without renting a car or planning the logistics? This is for you.
- Fine with a long, early, bus-heavy day in exchange for that convenience? Also good for you.
- Not suitable according to the operator, Panda Travel: pregnant travelers, people with back problems, or wheelchair users. The terrain at multiple stops is unpaved and uneven.
- Get carsick, hate big group tours, or would rather slow down and see one or two sites properly instead of three in one day? Skip it, or go independently.
How It Compares to Other Options
This exact three-site combo is sold by several operators on GetYourGuide, ranging from a US$42 basic version up to US$110–140 two-day versions that split the driving over two days and add an overnight stay.
It also comes as an option in a big bus. But you know my feelings on those. Just don’t.
If you’d rather not do it all in one 17-hour slog, then this two-day option is worth a look.
And if you’d rather DIY one or two of these sites independently instead of the full guided combo, see our guides to visiting Charyn Canyon and Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes .
We built this day trip into our 10 day Kazakhstan Itinerary, you can see that here.
Booking Tips for the Charyn Canyon, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Day Trip
- Meeting point: Baitursynov 104, opposite the Astana International Hotel, a large bus stop near a Barbero hairdresser. The bus waits from 04:30 to 05:00. Don’t be late.
- Bring: your passport or ID, comfortable shoes, warm clothing (temperatures change throughout the day and with altitude), and cash for lunch and any optional extras.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours out makes it low-risk to book ahead and cancel if the weather looks bad.
FAQs on the 17 hour Day Trip from Almaty
Quick answers to the questions we’d want answered before booking.
Is this tour worth it compared to doing Charyn Canyon, Kolsai, and Kaindy independently?
Yes. It’s a long day, but you get to crack through some amazing sites with little to no hassle of the transport or accommodation requirements.
How long is the Charyn Canyon, Kolsai, and Kaindy Lakes day trip?
17 hours door to door, with a pre-dawn pickup.
Is lunch included?
No. Budget about 5,000 KZT (US$10) at a local cafe en route.
Can I do this independently instead?
Yes. See our guides to visiting Charyn Canyon and Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes independently, though it’s harder to fit all three sites into one day without a private driver.
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Final Verdict: Is the Charyn Canyon, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Day Trip Worth It?
This tour doesn’t give you a short day, but it does pack everything in. . Roughly 9.5 of the 17 hours are spent driving, the pickup is before dawn, and by the time our minibus broke down outside Sary and we bribed our way onto the last eco-taxi out of Charyn Canyon’s Eco Taxi in the dark, “smooth” wasn’t the word for it. But we stood in Kaindy’s sunken forest, walked Kolsai’s boardwalks, and had the Valley of the Castles at Charyn almost entirely to ourselves at dusk. Three of the best natural sites near Almaty, in one properly long day, with zero logistics to plan. If that trade-off works for you, book it. If you’d rather see one or two of these properly instead of racing through all three, do it independently, or take the two-day version. Would we book it again? Yes.
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