2-Day Jeep Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes (from Almaty)

08:00 — Meeting and departure

• The guide meets you at the doors of your hotel or apartments. Departure from the city in a comfortable vehicle towards the Charyn State National Nature Park. The journey will take about 3.5 hours, during which you will witness the changing landscapes from the Trans-Ili foothills to endless steppes.

11:30 — Arrival at Charyn Canyon ("Valley of Castles")

• Start of the walking excursion along the bottom of the canyon. You will stroll among majestic clay and sandstone cliffs that have taken on the whimsical shapes of castles and towers over centuries under the influence of wind and water. The length of the easy walking descent is 2.5 km.

13:00 — Lunch by the river and comfortable ascent

• A full rest and a hearty lunch on the shady shore of the turbulent Charyn River, flowing at the very bottom of the gorge. After resting, the ascent back to the parking lot is by a local eco-taxi (you will not have to climb uphill on foot).

14:30 — Departure to Saty village

• Departure from the canyon towards the Kungei Alatau mountain range to the main tourist hub of the region—Saty village.

16:00 — Arrival at Lake Kolsai-1

• Meeting with the "pearl of the Northern Tien Shan." Free time for rest by the water. At the request of guests: walks along the panoramic eco-trails around the lake, renting boats or catamarans to ride on the mirror-like surface, or a horseback ride through the coniferous forest.

19:00 — Accommodation in Saty village. Dinner

• Arrival in Saty village, checking in. A hot dinner and a rest in the silence of the mountains await the guests.

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  Day 2 — Mysteries of the Sunken Forest of Kaindy and Return

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  • 08:00 — Breakfast

    • A hearty morning breakfast before an active day, packing, and preparing for departure.

  • 09:00 — Departure to Lake Kaindy

    • Departure to one of the most unusual high-altitude lakes in the world, formed after the earthquake of 1911.

  • 10:00 — Arrival and excursion to the lake

    • The vehicle arrives at the eco-parking lot. Next, a picturesque route awaits you (3 km on foot through a coniferous forest or on horseback upon request) leading to panoramic viewpoints. The famous view of the turquoise water, from which the dry trunks of century-old spruces monumentally rise, will open up before you.

  • 12:00 — Departure back to Saty

    • Gathering at the vehicle, transfer from the gorge back to the village.

  • 13:00 — Lunch

    • Traditional lunch, tasting of national cuisine dishes, packing for the road.

  • 14:00 — Transfer to Almaty with a stop at the Black Canyon

    • Departure toward the city. Along the way, we will make a signature stop at the viewing platforms of the Black Canyon—a deep, wild, and breathtaking branch of the Charyn system. Time for final panoramic photos.

  • 18:00 — Arrival in Almaty

    • Comfortable return to the metropolis. The guide will deliver you directly to the doors of your hotel or apartments.

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    • Included in the price

      Comfortable 4x4 vehicle

      Professional guide

      All national park entry and eco-fees

      Bottled water throughout the trip

      Your choice of accommodation (premium hotels or guest houses)

      All meals included