2 days: Kolsay and Charyn

A two-day visit to two national parks in Almaty region is suitable for tourists who value time and do not prefer long trekking in mountainous terrain.
During the first day guests visit six locations of Charyn Canyons, the next day two lakes - Kolsai lower (Kolsay first) and Kaindy.

The Charyn Canyon is a visiting card of Kazakhstan, and is regularly ranked in the top 3 natural attractions in terms of the number of visits by tourists. In 2018, the Charyn National Park was included in the international network of biosphere reserves of UNESCO organisation.
As part of the canyon visit programme, guests will visit the popular canyon "Valley of Castles", named after the islands of sedimentary rock inside the canyon, which look like medieval fortresses.
The official name of the canyon is "Red Canyon", the translation from the Kazakh language of the original name is "Kyzylsai".
Then we go up to the panoramic platform of the canyon Valley of Castles, from the top there is a view of the canyon gorge.
Besides the Red Canyon we also visit four locations on the right bank of the Charyn River.

The first location will be Lunar (Moon) Canyon or Uzunbulak, atmospheric views of yellow layers of outcropping rock intricately created by nature. Guests who have travelled to Cappadocia in Turkey say that the scenery of Lunar Canyon is similar to the panoramas of the world famous Turkish National Park.
The author's part of our route is a visit to the following locations of Charyn - "Stone Shelf", a panoramic site of volcanic origin.
Then we visit the location "Napoleon" with a view on the canyon "Valley of Castles" and a panorama on the river Charyn with an interesting name "Austrian View".

Landscapes of the lower Kolsai Lake remind panoramic views of the Abkhazian Lake Ritsa, located at an altitude of 950 metres above sea level. Compared to Ritsa, Kolsai is twice as long and is 1,850 metres above sea level.
Lake Kaindy is one of the memorable natural objects of Almaty region for tourists: fanciful Tianshan fir trees stand in the thickness of clear lake water inside a mountain gorge.

Lunar (Moon) canyon, Charyn

Programme of the two-day trip to the canyons of the Charyn River and Kolsay Lakes

Day 1. Charyn Canyon
07:00. Meeting guests at the indicated addresses, departure from Almaty to Charyn Canyon (200 km).
08:30. Stop in Chilik village for refuelling.
10:00. Location # 1 - visit to the canyon "Kyzylsai" (Valley of Castles) - walking inside the canyon to Charyn river (2,5 km, 40 minutes) after stopping at the river (for 15 minutes), returning back (50 minutes), the distance of trekking inside the canyon will be 5 km in both directions. During the trekking please enjoy the travel guide information about the canyon "Kyzylsai" and take photos.
11:00. We have a rest and take photos on the bank of the river Charyn .
12:00. Return back to the car park (50 minutes). During the peak season in the canyon there is a taxi of the national park.
13:00. Location # 2 - climb out of the canyon, visit the panorama of the Valley of Castles (photo session).
13:30. Lunch-time at the car park.
14:00. Location # 3 - departure to Uzunbulak Canyon (Moon Canyon), 30 minutes, 25 km. Photo session and walk on the panorama of Lunar (Moon) Canyon.
15:30. Location # 4 - departure to the incredible and breathtaking panorama "Stone Shelf" with a view of Charyn river (30 minutes, 15 km). Photo stop.
16:30. Location # 5 - departure to the panoramic site "Napoleon" (30 minutes, 2.5 km).
17:30. Location # 6 - exit to the final panorama "Austrian View" (4 minutes, 2 km). Photo stop at the site of "Austrian View".
18:00. Departure to Saty village - "Kolsay lakes" national park (2 hours, 120 km).
19:00. Stop on the way to Kolsai to visit the Black Canyon.
20:00. Accommodation in guest house, dinner.
22:30. Overnight stay in the guest house.

River flowing into Lake Kaindy, photo by Dina Garrett

Day 2. Kolsay Lakes
08:30. Breakfast in the guest house.
09:00. Departure from Saty village to Kaindy lake (30 minutes, 12 km, offroad).
09:30. Leave the car in the car park of Kaindy lake. Trekking to the lake (2 km).
Riding horse hire is available at the car park (not included in the tour price).
10:30. Guests visit three locations: the lake shore, the panorama overlooking the lake, and the flow of the Kaindy river into the lake.
12:00. Return to the car park (2 km).
13:00. Departure to the guest house in Saty village, with a drive to the panorama site overlooking the valley of Chilik River (40 minutes, 12 km).
13:30. Lunch at the guest house in Saty village.
14:30. Departure to the lake "Saty" (Kolsay lower) lake (30 minutes, 15 km).
15:00. Leave the car at the car park. Walk along the shore of Kolsai first lake.
16:30. Drive from the lake car park to Almaty (300 km).
20:30. Arrival in Almaty city. Transfer guests to the addresses specified when booking the tour.

When visiting the Kolsai lakes guests should have identity documents (border zone).

Kolsay 1st lake (Saty lake), photo by Azamat Mukhametzhanov

Cost of a two-day tour to Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lakes:
165 USD for one guest if there are six guests in the car, 990 USD total (Toyota Seqouia, Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 200).
187 USD for one guest if there are five guests in the car, 935 USD total (Toyota Seqouia, Toyota Land Cruiser 100, Toyota Land Cruiser 200).
210 USD for one guest if there are four guests in the car, 840 USD totalling.
245 USD for one guest if there are three guests in the car, 735 USD total.
330 USD for one guest if there are two guests in the car, 660 USD total.
585 USD for one guest, individual trip.

The price includes:

• transport by comfortable SUV,
• services of a English/German-speaking guide,
• entrance tickets to the national parks "Kolsay Koldery", "Charyn",
• three meals a day, excluding breakfast of the first day, dinner of the second day,
• accommodation in separate rooms with private bathroom inside the room in the guest house,
• drinking water 1.5 litres / guest per day,
• Round trip by national park taxi inside Charyn Canyon, from the lower car park to the upper car park of Kaindy Lake.

There are provisions for children to participate in the trip:

• infants under two years of age travel free of charge,
• children from two to eleven years of age - 50% of the cost of the trip,
• children from twelve years of age and older - 100% of the cost of the trip.
  We can provide a child seat, please discuss with the manager before travelling.

Tourists staying in the guest house are provided with bathhouse services, evening bonfire (included in the price).

Location "Napoleon", Charyn Canyon, photo by Alan Shafigulin

It is also possible to reduce the cost of the trip by using hostel accommodation or separate guest rooms with bathroom on the floor, please discuss with the manager when booking the tour.

Difficulty of the route: standard, suitable for people with average physical fitness.
Please note that when trekking along Kolsay 1st lake, on the lake Kayindy there are ascents and descents on hills, which are not always comfortable for guests (the height of the lake Kolsay lower - 1 800 metres above sea level, Kayindy - 1 750 metres).
Precautions: headgear, hiking or sports shoes, sunglasses, anti-bug repellents are recommended.

How to book a tour
You can book a tour by clicking on the "Contact Us" button or by writing to us on WhatsApp or Telegram at +7 777 161 1929, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have,
You can send your request to e-mail: greenx.kz@gmail.com.

In the comments, just below you can read the feedback from guests who have been on our tours.

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