There are many advantages to basing yourself in Almaty, and one of the best is the chance to visit some of Kazakhstan's most spectacular landscapes without going too far. During my stay in the city, I decided to take a two-day tour to visit three places that I had already seen in photos and that had me excited: Kaindy Lake, the Kolsai Lakes and the impressive Charyn Canyon.
In this post, I'll tell you what the tour was like, what it includes, how accessible it is to do on your own, and why I think this circuit is a must-do if you're traveling through Kazakhstan.
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🧭 Can you visit Kaindy, Kolsai, and Charyn on your own?
Yes, it is possible to do the Kaindy, Kolsai, and Charyn Canyon circuit without a tour , but you'll need to be prepared to organize several details on your own. The main complication is transportation , as the lakes and canyons are in rural areas with no direct public transportation and are separated by significant distances.
The most common way is to rent a car in Almaty and do the route in several days, sleeping in the town of Satty, which is the base point for Kaindy and Kolsai. From there, you can negotiate with locals for 4x4 transfers to the lakes (especially Kaindy, which has a difficult road). To visit the Charyn Canyon, you can do so on the first or last day of the trip, as it is closer to Almaty and can be accessed via a paved road.
Another option is to coordinate with other travelers and share a car or hire a private driver. It's not always cheaper than an organized tour, but it does give you the advantage of managing your time and avoiding rushing.
🎒 Why did I choose to visit Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lake, and Charyn Canyon with a tour?
Although I usually travel on my own, in this case I chose to do it with an organized tour. Traveling alone, and considering the costs of private transportation and accommodation, it almost made sense to take the tour I found. Plus, it saved me the logistics of coordinating transfers, hitchhiking, or navigating difficult stretches, especially to get to Kaindy.
Another advantage is that the tour optimizes your time: in just two and a half days, you can see three incredible places without having to worry about routes, schedules, or where to sleep. Of course, it does feel rushed at times, especially in places like Charyn Canyon, where you'll want to explore more slowly.
But what really rounded out the experience was the people I met during the tour. Sharing walks, meals, and a night around the campfire quickly created bonds. I even ran into some of them again in Almaty, and we shared other outings around the city. Sometimes, unplanned group travel also has its magic.
⏱️ How long is the tour? Why do I recommend 2 nights?
In my case, I did the tour in 2 days and 2 nights, and it seemed like the best decision. We slept two nights in Satty, the base town for visiting Kaindy and Kolsai, which made the whole tour a little more relaxing than others.
Many tours offer the same circuit in just 2 days and 1 night, at almost the same price, but that means running from one place to another. You waste time on transfers, spend less time at each stop, and end up paying more attention to the clock than the scenery. With 2 nights, on the other hand, you have time to enjoy the lake at a leisurely pace, walk a little more, take photos without rushing, and connect with the surroundings.
🚐 Which company did I take for the tour that visits Kaindy, Kolsai, and Charyn Canyon?
A friend had recommended the agency K.K. Tour to me, and I ended up booking them after seeing their Instagram profile. They offer several tours from Almaty, and I chose the 2 days and 2 nights tour that includes visits to Kaindy, Kolsai, and Charyn Canyon. The package included 2 breakfasts, 1 dinner, accommodation, and transfers, and the total price was around 25,000 tenge (about 50 dollars at the time).
Before booking, I decided to visit their Almaty office to pay in person and meet them, and it gave me confidence to see that it was a reputable agency. They delivered on everything they promised: the itinerary, accommodations, meals, and timing. The only negative point I can point out is that the group coordinator only spoke Russian and Kazakh, so at times I struggled to understand what he was explaining and had to ask other travelers to help me translate.
Beyond that, the overall experience was good. They fulfilled everything agreed upon, and I can recommend them, especially if you're looking for an affordable and well-organized option to explore these places.
Other options for a 1 or 2 day tour
🗺️ What is the tour like to visit Kaindy, Kolsai and Charyn Canyon?
The tour starts in Almaty at night, when you'll be picked up at the agreed-upon meeting point (in my case, a central station). From there, we'll take a bus to the village of Satty, located near Lake Kaindy. The night trip saves time and helps you make the most of the next day.
We arrived at a homestay adapted for travelers, where we spent the first night. It's basic but comfortable accommodation, with a couple of shared rooms and a bathroom. The next day, after a hearty homemade breakfast, we set off on our first excursion: a visit to Kaindy Lake.
🌲 Kaindy Lake: a submerged forest and a unique landscape
Kaindy Lake is, without a doubt, one of the most striking landscapes in Kazakhstan. What makes it so special is that, unlike other mountain lakes, here you don't just find crystal-clear water surrounded by nature... there are also submerged trees emerging from the bottom. It looks like a sunken forest, as if time had stopped underwater.
This phenomenon was caused by an earthquake in 1911, which triggered a landslide and formed a natural dam. The valley filled with water, and the fir forest that once stood there was partially covered. Over time, the trunks were surprisingly well preserved thanks to the water's temperature, and they remain there today, protruding from the emerald-green lagoon.
The transparency of the lake is another impressive detail. On sunny days, you can see the bottom and the entire trunks, as if you were looking through glass. It's a place that exudes peace, surrounded by mountains and silence.
You'll have about 3 hours to explore the lake, enough time to walk back and forth from the parking lot, take photos, explore the surroundings, or even go horseback riding if you want to see the lake from other angles. The setting is very peaceful, ideal for enjoying at your own pace. For those who enjoy photography or simply unique landscapes, Kaindy is a must-see on any visit to the region.
🍽️ Lunch and visit to Kolsai Lake
After visiting Kaindy Lake, the tour continues with a lunch stop at a simple inn in a nearby village. The food is typical of the area, homemade and hearty, ideal for recharging after the morning hike (this is not included in the tour). After lunch, we headed to Kolsai Lake, which is a short drive away.
🌲 Kolsai Lake: a mirror surrounded by pine trees
Kolsai Lake is actually part of a three-tiered lake system, but most tours (like this one) visit the first one, which is the most accessible and well-known. It sits at about 1,800 meters above sea level, surrounded by pine forests and mountains, giving it a very peaceful and photogenic atmosphere.
You also have another 3 hours to explore the surroundings at your own pace. There's a well-marked trail that runs along the lake, which you can follow at leisure to enjoy panoramic views from different angles.
The water ranges in color from blue to deep green, depending on the weather and time of day, and the natural setting is perfect for unwinding. While swimming is possible, the water is often quite cold even in summer, so most people choose to simply walk, take photos, or take a boat ride. It's one of the most beautiful spots in the region and a great way to end a day filled with stunning scenery.
🔥 Bonfire and Dance Night: Sharing the Ride
After a long day among lakes and mountains, we returned to the inn in Satty for dinner. The food, again homemade, was simple but satisfying, but the most entertaining part came later: they set up an outdoor bonfire, and there was no shortage of music. A small, very relaxed dance night ensued, where all of us on the tour ended up chatting, laughing, and sharing the moment.
It was a nice opportunity to connect with other travelers. In my case, I met people from China and also Kazakhs who were traveling around their own country. Those nights, with the fire lit, the sky full of stars, and people from different parts of the world, are what make a tour stop being just a tourist trip and become an experience to remember.
🏜️ Day 2: Canyons, Landscapes, and the End of the Route
After breakfast at the inn, the second day of the tour begins, focusing on a visit to the canyons of southeastern Kazakhstan. The first stop is the so-called Black Canyon, a curious formation where the earth and rocks have a dark hue that distinguishes it from the rest. It's a short stop, about 30 to 40 minutes, ideal for taking some photos and stretching your legs before continuing on to visit the day's big attraction: the Charyn Canyon.
🏞️ Charyn Canyon: the Grand Canyon's "little brother"
Charyn Canyon is one of Kazakhstan's most spectacular landscapes, often compared to the Grand Canyon in the United States, albeit on a smaller scale. It is about 90 kilometers long, and the most famous formations are in the section known as the Valley of the Castles, due to the rock formations that look like natural fortresses carved by wind and water.
The views are incredible, especially from the upper ridges, but it's also worth descending into the valley below and walking among the reddish walls. The main trail is about 2 kilometers long to the Charyn River, where there is a small rest area. If you have time, you can easily walk there and back, although the heat can be intense depending on the season.
You're given a couple of hours to explore it, which sounds good, but in practice, falls short if you want to explore it leisurely. Since the canyon can be explored from both below and above, following the edges for panoramic views, doing both is almost impossible, so you'll have to plan well or simply choose one of the routes.
Even though the tour doesn't offer enough time to explore everything at leisure, the place is still a must-see. It's a place that leaves you wanting to return on your own and explore it more thoroughly.
🚐 Return to Almaty and farewell to the group
After touring the Charyn Canyon, the return trip to Almaty begins, taking a few hours by road. The return trip is made more enjoyable by spending time with the people you met, looking at photos, or simply enjoying the scenery from the window, which changes from canyons to valleys, and then to more urban areas.
We arrived in the city at dusk, and it was time to say goodbye. By this point in the tour, a certain connection had been formed with the group: those with whom you shared walks, meals, and occasional conversations around the campfire. In my case, it was one of those experiences that leaves fond memories and some new contacts for future trips.
Video of Kaindy, Kolsay lakes and Charyn Canyon
✅ Conclusion: A worthwhile tour
If you're spending several days in Almaty, this tour is something I highly recommend. In just two days, you'll explore some of Kazakhstan's most beautiful landscapes: mountain lakes, vast canyons, and verdant valleys.
In addition to the sites, it's an opportunity to meet other travelers or locals, share stories, and create bonds that sometimes continue after the tour. It was one of my most enjoyable experiences in the entire country. Spectacular scenery, a good atmosphere, and the peace of mind of having everything taken care of: a perfect combination to make the most of your trip.
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