Things to do in

Almaty

Meet your guide in Almaty early in the morning and board your comfortable minibus. Ride in comfort to your first stop, Lake Kolsai. Spend about 2.5 hours strolling around this stunning lake and learning about the area. If you wish, take a boat or catamaran ride around the lake (not included). Once you've finished exploring, indulge in a delicious meal at a local cafe (not included). Enjoy traditional fare, including pilaf, Lagman, manti, shish kebab, and salads, before continuing to Lake Kaindy in a Soviet-era UAZ minibus. Spend some time admiring the spruce forest and the crystal-clear water. Pay an additional fee onsite to ride horses to the lake from the nearby village. Next, head to your final stops, the canyons. For several hours, learn about the fascinating geological features that make Charyn Canyon and Black Canyon unique. Admire the grandiose cliffs, gorges, and bright red rock formations in Charyn Canyon. Continue to Black Canyon, filled with black rocks and large caves, before finishing at Moon Canyon, a mysterious and magical location with a moon-like surface, before returning to Almaty.

Within 2 days you will visit the most famous places of Almaty region - Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes. You will also explore a tranquil place with landscapes of unearthly beauty - Yellow (Moon) Canyon. The itinerary is designed so that you can enjoy the tour without rushing and visit sites at the best time of the day in the best lighting conditions. Our tour guide will show you the best photo spots and tell you interesting information about the places. In the evening you will enjoy a rustic dinner of local cuisine, as well as games and fun around the bonfire. For the night, tourists are accommodated in a yurt (nomadic dwelling), where you will feel the spirit of the nomadic lifestyle, and enjoy the silence away from civilization and unity with nature (accommodation in the house is also possible).

This tour is the best way to visit the most popular natural places of Almaty region in 1 day and if you do not have the opportunity to go on a full 2-day tour. Within a day you will visit the TOP natural sites of Almaty region - Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes. In this regard, this tour has a tight schedule and some sites are not fully visited. Tour itinerary: 06:00 Pick-up and departure from Almaty 08:00 Shortstop for coffee/WC 09:00 Arrival at Charyn Canyon "Valley of the Castles", visiting several spots, walking along the bottom of the canyon 10:10 Departure from Charyn Canyon 10:40 Shortstop at Black Canyon, viewing spot 12:00 Transfer to Kaindy Lake 12:30 Kaindy Lake, short hike, viewing spots 15:10 Lunch in the guesthouse of Saty village 16:00 Transfer to the Lower Kolsai Lake from Saty 16:30 Kolsai Lake, walking, visiting several spots, horseback-riding (optional) 18:00 Leaving Kolsai Lakes National Park, trip to Charyn Canyon 21:00 Shortstop for coffee/WC 22:30 Drop-off in Almaty

Discover the natural beauty of Kazakhstan on a day trip from Almaty. Visit the Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Moon Canyon, and Kolsay Lake. Enjoy a guided tour and round-trip transportation from Almaty. Start your day with a pickup from your hotel in Almaty. Meet your guide and hop into your vehicle. Drive to the Charyn Canyon, also known as the Valley of Castles. Admire the unique rock formations and take in the views of the canyon. Head to the Moon Canyon and the Black Canyon. Take in the panoramic views of the Black Canyon. Afterward, drive to Kolsay Lake. Take a walk around the lake and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Finish your time at the lake and begin the drive back to Almaty. Arrive back at your hotel in the evening.

Discover Almaty's striking natural landscapes on a bus tour from the city. See lunar-like canyons with serpentine rivers flowing through them, and turquoise lakes with forests surrounding them. From Charyn Canyon to Lake Kolsai, explore six of the region's highlights. Head out of Almaty in the comfort of your van and go to your first stop of the day: Charyn Canyon. Marvel at its red and brown rocks soaring up from then canyon floor, like rocky monoliths surrounding you. Continue your journey to the dramatically different and lush Kolsai Lake. Carry on to Kaiyindy Lake with its sunken forest emerging out of the turquoise waters. Head back to more desert-like surroundings at the Charyn River, which blends greenery with desert. End your tour at the Black and Moon Canyons, with soaring rocks and tall canyon walls, before heading back to Almaty.

Best place to see around Almaty 100 % guarantee!We will see a beautiful Almaty lake, located on 2500 meters above the sea, learn its history and the mountains surrounding it. Walk around it and look from different sides. We can include Shymbulak tour or Almarasan by request(please ask for details) Please take comfortable shoes for all terrain walking and passport) Normally we walk 5 km uphill from parking to lake wiew point. In case you dont want to walk we can hire local driver lake area directly to wiew point for additional payment. Also we can arrange bike tour Almaty lake. For questions and last hours booking contact me77O1211O15O. We can also discuss any options, and any other places in Kazakhstan to visit. https://www.daotravel.kz/ We always try to give more that you expected

Kolsay & Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon are the most picturesque destinations and “must visit” attractions in Almaty region that you cover in two day tour. You will have opportunity to visit canyon, enjoy its amazing view, and walk and explore the Castle Valley created by rocks and sands. In just couple of hours from the Canyon, we will change the landscape and appear in mountains, so called Kazakhstani Switzerland. There you will do small trekking around and enjoy pure nature and wonderful Kolsay lakes. Not far from Kolsay, we will visit one of the wonders of Kazakhstan – Kaindy lake. The lake was formed during the earthquake that blocked the river path, which in turn resulted in collection of water on the forest. Tops of the trees still rise above the water creating amazing view that you cannot see anywhere in the world. Itinerary Departure from Almaty 8.00 am 3 hour drive to Charyn Canyon Arrival to the Canyon 11.00 am 2 hours trekking, photo shooting Arrival to Satty Village 2:00 pm Check in, lunch Arrival to Kolsay lake 4:00 pm 2 hours at the lake (hike, horse-riding, photo-shooting Arrival to Satty VIllage 7:00 pm Dinner and free time Day 2: Breakfast 8.00 am Arrival to the Kaiyndy Lake 9.30 am 2 hours tracking, photo shooting Departure to Almaty 12:00 am Arrival to Almaty 3:00 pm What to bring with you: • Warm and preferably waterproof jacket (it might be rainy at that period) • Winter waterproof shoes, preferably for hiking and trekking (shoe sole must not be flat, grass can be a bit slippery) • Cap • Sunscreen, sunglasses • Medicine (if necessary: allergies, personal demand, etc) What is included: Transportation with driver Accommodation with Wi-Fi English speaking guide Water (1 liter per person) Entrance tickets to all national parks Breakfast, lunch, dinner × Personal Expenses × Horse Riding

08:00 – Breakfast 09:00 – Departure from the hotel in Almaty 11:00 – Arrival in the ethno village. Meeting guests with the Shashu ritual. 11:10 – Master class on cooking Bauyrsaks (national treats from dough), tea drinking. 11:30 – The guide's story about the life and life of nomads, demonstration of the yurt, holding the ceremony "Besikke salu". 12:00 – Performance of the First Historical Patriotic Club "Sarbaz Rukhy" Horse show "Zhigittik oner (dzhigitovka)", national equestrian sports games "Atpen audaryspak", "Kyz kuu”, dance “Kara Zhorga”, horseback riding. 13:00 – Lunch (Pilaf, Salad, bread basket with bauyrsaks, tea, water). 14:00 – Master class in archery. 15:00 – Free time. 16:00 – Departure from the Village Huns in Almaty

Come to the meeting point and then head to Medeu, a famous outdoor sports complex that is located at an elevation of 5,547 ft (1,691 meters) above sea level. Marvel at one of the world's highest mountain skating rinks, and take in the stunning view of the mountains that surround it. Following this, take the cable car to Shymbulak, a ski resort known for its slopes, hotels, and restaurants. Spend some time at the largest ski resort in Central Asia, located at an elevation of 7,414 ft (2,260 meters) above sea level. Head to a cafe to eat a delicious lunch, and then continue. Finish eating and travel to the Central Museum of Kazakhstan. Delve into the history of the nation with a display of artifacts, exhibits, and other interactive displays. Find out about the evolution of the country from ancient times until the present day. Next, go to Kok Tobe, a high mountain. Arrive at the top of this mountain on the funicular, and appreciate a panoramic view of the city's skyline and mountains. Enjoy some free time to visit the restaurants as well. Finally, return to the starting point to finish the tour.

Charyn Canyon is one of the main attractions and pearl of Almaty region. In just 2 hours drive from Almaty, you will have opportunity to explore the canyon, admire various colors and forms of rocks and at the end of the trekking you can rest at the bank of Charyn River:) Departure from Almaty 8.00 am 3 hours drive to the Canyon Arrival to Charyn Canyon 11.00 pm 2 hours of trekking inside the valley of castles (2.5 km light trekking) Lunch 2:00 pm Lunch on the way back at one of the local cafes (upon request) Arrival to Almaty 5:00 pm