Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour

The Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour provides a captivating opportunity to explore some of Kazakhstan’s most breathtaking natural wonders. This guided excursion takes visitors through a stunning landscape, showcasing the serene Kolsai Lakes, the enchanting Kaindy Lake, and the dramatic Charyn Canyon. With transportation, lunch, and national park fees covered, travelers can enjoy the beauty of this Central Asian country without the hassle of logistics. Whether exploring on foot or choosing optional activities, this tour offers an unforgettable experience for those seeking to uncover Kazakhstan’s natural treasures.

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

Key Points

• This small-group tour provides guided exploration of Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon, showcasing the stunning natural beauty of Kazakhstan.
• The tour includes bottled water, lunch, private transportation, and national parks entrance fees, offering a hassle-free experience.
• Travelers have the option to add horseback riding or take a taxi van instead of hiking, though the tour is not recommended for those with mobility issues.
• The tour is approximately 17 hours long, allowing for unhurried enjoyment of the destinations, and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews.
• The tour may be subject to cancellation due to weather conditions or minimum participant requirements, with a flexible cancellation policy in place.

Tour Overview and Inclusions

This guided small-group tour allows visitors to explore three of Kazakhstan’s stunning natural attractions near Almaty: the Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon.

The tour includes bottled water, lunch, private transportation, national parks entrance fees, and a transfer to Kaindy Lake on a Soviet van.

Travelers can opt for horseback riding at an additional cost of 7,000 KZT (around $13 USD) or take a taxi van instead of hiking for 500 KZT (about $1.50 USD).

The tour isn’t recommended for those with mobility issues, pregnant women, or children under 6. It requires good weather and a minimum number of participants, with the possibility of cancellation and full refunds if needed.

Activities and Options

Visitors can opt for horseback riding during the tour, which costs an additional 7,000 KZT (around $13 USD).

Alternatively, travelers may choose to take a taxi van instead of hiking for 500 KZT (about $1.50 USD). This provides more flexibility for those who may not want to hike or are unable to do so.

The tour isn’t recommended for children under 6, as well as those with back problems, pregnant travelers, or travelers with disabilities/injuries, as the terrain can be challenging.

The tour requires good weather conditions, and may be cancelled and fully refunded if the weather is poor or the minimum number of travelers isn’t met.

Pickup and Accessibility

The tour includes pickup from hotels in Almaty, making it convenient for travelers.

However, it’s important to note that the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible and isn’t recommended for those with back problems, pregnant travelers, or travelers with disabilities/injuries, as the terrain can be challenging.

The tour requires good weather, and may be cancelled and fully refunded if the weather is poor.

There’s a minimum number of travelers required, and the tour may be cancelled and fully refunded if the minimum isn’t met.

The tour isn’t recommended for children under 6.

The maximum group size is 13 travelers.

Cancellations can be made up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Weather and Group Size

As the tour requires good weather conditions, it may be cancelled and fully refunded if the forecast predicts inclement weather.

Plus, the experience necessitates a minimum number of participants, and it could be cancelled and refunded in the event this threshold isn’t met.

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable outing, the tour has a maximum group size of 13 travelers. This small-group format allows for a more personalized and intimate experience as you explore the breathtaking natural wonders of Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon.

Ultimately, the weather and group size requirements help guarantee that the tour runs safely and as planned, providing an unforgettable adventure for all participants.

Cancellation Policy

Travelers may cancel this tour up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, but the tour operator doesn’t accept changes less than 24 hours before the experience.

This flexible cancellation policy gives travelers peace of mind when planning their trip to Kazakhstan. Some key benefits include:

• Freedom to cancel for any reason up to a day in advance
• No penalties or fees for last-minute cancellations
• Full refund provided if cancelling within the 24-hour window
• Ability to reschedule the tour for another date if plans change
• Tour operator’s commitment to customer satisfaction and understanding

This cancellation policy ensures travelers can book with confidence, knowing they’ve the flexibility to adjust their plans as needed. It’s just one more way this small-group tour provides a seamless and stress-free experience.

Tour Duration and Reviews

This small-group tour lasts approximately 17 hours, providing ample time to thoroughly explore the three remarkable natural attractions.

With 137 reviews averaging an exceptional 5 out of 5 stars, the tour has clearly resonated with past participants and delivered a highly satisfying experience.

Visitors can expect a full day of discovering the breathtaking landscapes of Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon. The duration allows for unhurried enjoyment of each destination, ensuring travelers have the opportunity to fully enjoy the stunning natural wonders.

Stunning Natural Attractions

The tour grants visitors an opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking natural wonders of Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon, each boasting its own unique and captivating landscapes.

Kolsai Lakes, nestled in the Tian Shan mountains, offer a serene and picturesque setting, with crystal-clear turquoise waters surrounded by lush green forests.

Kaindy Lake, on the other hand, is a stunning natural attraction, featuring submerged pine trees that create an otherworldly, fairytale-like ambiance.

Charyn Canyon, with its striking red and orange hues, carved over millions of years, is a true geological marvel, leaving visitors in awe of the power of nature.

The Tian Shan mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for these diverse landscapes, offering something for every nature enthusiast.

Explore Kazakhstan’s Beauty

This small-group tour offers visitors a chance to explore Kazakhstan’s natural wonders, immersing them in the breathtaking landscapes of the Tian Shan mountains. From the serene Kolsai Lakes to the picturesque Kaindy Lake and the dramatic Charyn Canyon, this experience showcases the diverse beauty of this Central Asian country. Travelers can choose to explore on foot or opt for more leisurely transportation, making the tour accessible to a wide range of fitness levels. With knowledgeable guides, comfortable transportation, and included meals, this tour provides a seamless way to discover some of Kazakhstan’s most captivating natural gems.

Feature	Benefit
Guided small-group tour	Personalized experience and local insights
Diverse natural attractions	Opportunity to see multiple stunning landscapes
Flexible transportation options	Caters to various fitness levels
Bottled water, lunch, and park fees included	Convenience and value
17-hour duration	Comprehensive full-day exploration

Recap

The Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour provides an opportunity to discover Kazakhstan’s stunning natural landscapes. With transportation, lunch, and fees included, the tour offers an immersive experience exploring the serene Kolsai Lakes, enchanting Kaindy Lake, and dramatic Charyn Canyon.

While certain mobility restrictions apply, the tour’s comprehensive cancellation policies and high-rated reviews make it an attractive choice for those seeking to explore Kazakhstan’s breathtaking beauty.