PRIVATE TOUR Charyn Canyon, Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes (3 Days)

PRIVATE TOUR Charyn Canyon, Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes (3 Days)

Name: PRIVATE TOUR Charyn Canyon, Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes (3 Days)
Address: Kazakhstan

Multi-day trips Nature & Adventure Activities for couples Tours Good for groups Outdoor sports Activities Outdoor activities Private tours Hiking Small group activities Jeep & 4WD tours National parks Safaris & Wildlife Activities Photography tours

Embark on a 3-day journey with Nomad Outfitter KZ, featuring Charyn’s dramatic canyons and Kolsay Lakes' alpine beauty, including an 18 km hike to the breathtaking second Kolsay Lake.

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Highlights

For hiking enthusiasts, the tour includes a trek between Kolsai 1 and Kolsai 2
Auto tourists will enjoy off-road along the right bank of the Charyn River
While other agencies focus on a soly the Valley of Castles we experience 6 sites
Scenic drives through picturesque landscapes suitable for all travelers

Description

Charyn Canyons, 180 km from Almaty, span 100 km and host relict trees like Sogdian ash and Turanga. Kolsai Lakes, 300 km southeast of Almaty, are in a national park established in 2007, home to diverse wildlife. Saty (1st lake) lies at 1,818 m altitude; Mynzhylky (2nd lake) at 2,252 m, 5 km away; Sarybulak (3rd lake) at 2,850 m near Kyrgyzstan. Connected by the Kolsai River, the lakes offer fresh, mineral-rich water and summer temperatures of 10°C. Lake Kaindy, named after a birch grove, lies near Kaindy Gorge, with serene stops like Ak Kaiyn grove. Itinerary: Day 1 07:00 - Pick up guests from their addresses and depart for the Charyn Canyons (200 km) 10:00 - Visit the Valley of Castles Canyon, the most popular canyon of the Charyn River. Descend and trek with photo stops inside the canyon (2.5 km) 11:00 - Rest on the bank of the Charyn River 12:00 - Ascend from the canyon back to the car park (2.5 km). During high season, a cab service from the national park is available if needed 13:30 - Lunch break 14:00 - Depart for Moon Canyon (25 km) 14:30 - Stop at the panoramic view of Moon Canyon 15:30 - Depart for the next location, the Stone Shelf panoramic view (15 km) 16:00 - Arrive at the Stone Shelf for a photo stop 16:30 - Depart for the 'Napoleon' panoramic site (2.5 km) 17:00 - Visit the 'Napoleon' site for a photo stop 17:30 - Depart for the 'Austrian View' panoramic site (2 km) 18:00 - Visit the 'Austrian View' and then depart for Saty village (120 km) 19:00 - Visit the Black Canyon, part of the main canyon of the Charyn River 20:00 - Check in at the guest house and have dinner 21:30 - Enjoy time around the campfire 22:30 - Overnight stay at the guest house Day 2 08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel 08:30 - Departure to Saty Lake (Kolsay 1st, 20 km) 09:15 - Photo session. Preparatory procedures for trekking 09:20 - Rise to the lake Mynzhylky (Kolsay 2nd). Trekking 9 kilometers in one direction. In the warmer months, the option of horse riding is available to Mynzhylky 12:30 - Arrival at Mynzhylki lake. Rest, photo session, lunch (lunchboxes from the guest house) 13:30 - Slow return to Saty Lake, 9 kilometers 16:30 - Return to the cars, departure to Saty village (20 km) 17:30 - Dinner, overnight stay at the guest house Day 3 08:30 - Breakfast at the hotel 09:00 - Depart for Kaindy Lake (15 km, unpaved road) 09:30 - Arrive at the parking area and trek to the lake (2 km). Horse rentals are available during the high season (not included in the tour price). 10:30 - Visit three locations at the lake: the shore, the panoramic viewpoint, and the inflow of the Kaindy River into the lake 12:00 - Return to the parking area (2 km) 13:00 - Depart for the guest house, stopping at a panoramic site with views of the Chilik River valley 13:30 - Lunch at the guest house 14:00 - Depart for Almaty (300 km) 18:00 - Arrive in Almaty

Includes

Comfortable SUV transportation Services of an English/Chinese/Russian-speaking guide Eco-fees for the National Parks 2 Nights’ accommodation in private rooms at a Guest House Three meals a day, excluding breakfast on the first day, dinner on the second day 1.5 liters of drinking water per guest per day

Important Information

Route Difficulty: Medium/High. Trekking between first and second Kolsay lakes is a strenuous activity and may not be suitable for guests with cardiovascular issues or high blood pressure. Precautions: It is mandatory to bring a sun hat, sunglasses, and insect repellent (especially during the spring period). When visiting the Kolsay lakes you should have your identity documents (border zone).