Short description (for tour card) Two days, seven iconic locations — Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lakes, Kaindy, and three more canyons. The most immersive nature route around Almaty.

Full description

This two-day itinerary takes you through seven of the most spectacular natural sites in the Almaty region — from the red cliffs of Charyn Canyon to the ghostly submerged forest of Lake Kaindy. The route is designed to cover as much as possible without rushing: an early departure from Almaty, an overnight stay in the village of Saty, and a return to the city by evening on day two.

Day 1 starts before dawn. At 05:00 the group departs Almaty in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter. By 09:00 you'll be walking through Charyn Canyon and its famous Valley of Castles — towering clay formations up to 300 metres high, sculpted over millions of years. After lunch, the route continues to Lake Kolsai, a stunning high-altitude lake at 1,800 m surrounded by Tian Shan spruce forest. The evening wraps up with dinner and an overnight stay in Saty.

Day 2 begins with a 4WD ride to Lake Kaindy — a truly surreal scene where the white trunks of submerged trees rise from turquoise water. In the afternoon, the group visits Black Canyon and Lunar Canyon before heading back to Almaty, arriving around 19:00.