1 day: Kolsay and Charyn

GreenX Company presents to your attention an express tour, where you can visit Kolsay Lakes and enjoy Charyn Canyon view - "Valley of Castles" in one day.
The tour is suitable for travellers who have limited time to visit Almaty and its surroundings.

Kolsai Lakes is a popular tourist destination in Kazakhstan, located in the mountains of Northern Tien Shan. The lakes are named "Upper", "Middle" and "Lower" Kolsay and are located at an altitude of 2,700, 2,250 and 1,800 metres above sea level respectively. The lakes are fed by glacial waters of the Kolsay River flowing down from the Kungei Alatau mountains. Kolsai Lakes in Kazakhstan are known for their crystal clear water with a beautiful blue hue. The lakes are also surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, making the lakes a popular destination for hiking, camping and fishing.
The best time to visit Kolsay lakes is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the lakes are also beautiful in spring and autumn.

A few facts about the Kolsay Lakes:

• the lakes were formed by landslides that blocked the Kolsai River.
• the water in the lakes is so clear that you can see fish swimming up to 10 metres below the surface.
• the national park has developed hiking trails for tourists, from easy to difficult.
• the lakes are home to a variety of wildlife, including bears, wolves and marmots.

Kaindy lake gorge, photo by Azamat Mukhametzhanov

Lake Kaindy is a mountain lake located in Kolsay Lakes National Park in Kazakhstan. The lake is known for its "sunken forest" landscape, where the trunks of dead trees rise out of the water.

Kaindy lake was formed in 1911 after a strong earthquake caused a landslide that blocked Kaindy River. The landslide created a natural dam that trapped the river water that eventually formed the lake. Trees that stood in the river were submerged by the water, the tree trunks preserved in the cold clear water.
The lake is located at an altitude of 1800 metres above sea level, the lake is 400 metres long and 30 metres deep. The water in the lake is turquoise in colour and is home to many fish, including trout and char.
Lake Kaindy is a popular tourist destination, and there are several hiking trails leading to the lake in the area. The optimum time to visit Kaindy Lake is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, the lake is also beautiful in spring and autumn.

View of Lake Kaindy, photo by Azamat Mukhametzhanov

Programme of one-day trip to Kolsay lakes and Charyn canyon
05:30. Pick up the guests from the centre of Almaty, drive to Saty village (Kolsai Lakes, 285 km).
07:30. Stop at the petrol station, refuelling.
08:45. Visit to the landscape section of the Charyn canyon - "Black canyon".
10:30. Having approached the car park of the lake Kayindy (12 km from the auyl Saty), we make a small trekking (1,5 km one way), we plan to visit three panoramic sites: view on the lake from above, river inflow into the lake, view from the shore of the lake.
12:30. We return to Saty village (12 km). On the way we visit the panoramic platform of the view on the valley of Chilik river.
13:30. Stop for lunch in a guest house (included in the price of the trip).
14:30. Drive to the lower lake Kolsay - Saty lake (15 km). Walk along the shore.
16:30. Departure to Almaty (300 km) with a stop at the canyon "Valley of Castles".
18:00. Visit to the panorama overlooking the Charyn canyon. We admire the scenery from above, there is not enough time to descend into the canyon.
19:30. Refuelling of cars at the station in Chilik village.
21:30. Arrival to the city.

Kolsay first lake, photo by Azamat Mukhametzhanov

Trip costs:
90 USD for one guest, six guests in the car, 540 USD total (Toyota Seqouia, Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 200).
105 USD for one guest, five guests in the car, 525 USD total (Toyota Seqouia, Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 200).
110 USD for one guest, four guests in the car, 440 USD total.
140 USD for one guest, three guests in the car, 420 USD total.
195 USD for one guest, two guests in the car, 390 USD total.
375 USD for one guest, individual trip.

Conditions for children's participation
The cost of children's participation in the trip:

• infants up to 2 years old travel free of charge,
• children from 2 to 11 years old - 50% of the trip cost,
• children from 12 years and older - 100% of the trip cost.
  Provision of a child seat is possible, please discuss with the manager before travelling.
  Travel of human friends (dogs, cats) is also possible, the fee is 5 000 tg/day.

The cost includes:

• services of English/German-speaking guide,
• transport in a comfortable off-road vehicle,
• lunch in Qazaq family,
• drinking water (1.5 litres/guest),
• visiting tourist locations according to the programme of the one-day tour,
• entrance tickets to the national parks "Kolsay Lakes", "Charyn",
• Round trip by national park taxi from the lower car park to the upper car park of Kaindy Lake.

You can book participation in the trip by:

• clicking the "Contact Us" button,
• writing to us on WhatsApp or Telegram on +7 777 161 1929, we will be glad to answer your questions,
• by sending an email to greenx.kz@gmail.com.

The shore of Kayindy Lake, photo by Azamat Mukhametzhanov

How difficult is the route: standard, suitable for people with average physical fitness.
It is necessary to think in advance: headgear, sunglasses, anti-tick repellents are obligatory.

When visiting Kolsay lakes, you should have your identity documents with you.

Average duration of the journey: 12 hours round trip by motor transport.

GreenX: Discover with Feeling

Next Previous

Kolsay 1st lake "Alban" guest house Guests from UAE Azamat and Islam (guides) George guide and the guests, Kolsay 1st lake Andrey guide and the guests, Kaindy lake Andrey guide Andrey, Sergey guides and the guests, the Valley of the Castles (Charyn) Panoramic view of Chilik river valley Guests, the Black canyon Guests, Kolsay 1st lake Kolsai 1st lake Quick lunch