Trek Kolsai Lakes & Charyn’s Three Canyons in 2 Days

4.5 2 reviews2 days · 1 nightPrivate tourDifficultStandard comfortSummer onlyby Treeple
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A two-day tour through Almaty Region: Charyn's three canyons, a night in Saty village, then the trek from the first to the second Kolsai Lake. Included: transport, guide, eco fees, guesthouse.

The region’s main nature route, built around a night in a mountain village. On the first day, Charyn Canyon, which stretches for 154 km; its best-known section, the “Valley of Castles”, is a 2–3 km walk among jagged red towers, followed by Moon Canyon and Black Canyon, and a night in Saty village. On the second morning, you start from the first Kolsai Lake at 1818 meters, framed by centuries-old spruces, and trek 8 km on to the second lake at 2252 meters. Day two is long: five to six hours on the trail and about five hours of driving back to Almaty. Transport, a professional guide, and all required fees are included, so all that’s left is to choose a date. The route is adapted to the group’s pace, and a private format is available on request.

Highlights

  • Charyn Canyon stretches for 154 km; its best-known section, the "Valley of Castles", is a short walk among jagged cliffs
  • First Kolsai: a lake at 1818 m in Kolsai Lakes National Park
  • An 8 km trek to the second Kolsai Lake (2252 m), about three hours one way
  • Day two is long: the trek in the morning and a return to Almaty around 21:00

Itinerary

Day 1

Charyn, Moon & Black Canyons · overnight in Saty

Leave Almaty early, around 07:00, and drive about three hours east to Charyn Canyon. Walk down through the “Valley of Castles”, a 2–3 km trail to the river between jagged red sandstone towers. Then see Moon Canyon, Charyn’s neighboring valley of gray and bluish rock, and Black Canyon on the Temirlik river, with dark volcanic walls. In the evening, continue to Saty village in Kolsai Lakes National Park, about two hours more. Dinner and overnight in a family guesthouse.

Kolsay Lake
Day 2

Kolsai 1 → Kolsai 2 trek · return to Almaty

Breakfast at 07:00 and a short drive to the first Kolsai Lake (1818 m), a turquoise lake framed by Tien Shan spruces. From the shore, trek about 8 km through conifer forest to the second Kolsai Lake (2252 m), around three hours each way; there are no buildings on its shore, only water, mountains and quiet. Back at the first lake by mid-afternoon, then the drive to Almaty, about five hours, arriving around 21:00. It is a long day, with five to six hours on the trail.

Want to change a day? The guide adapts the pace and stops to your group.Ask the guide →

What’s included

Included
  • Transport along the entire route
  • Professional guide services
  • All eco-fees and entrance tickets to national parks and protected natural areas
  • Accommodation in guesthouses in villages along the route
Paid separately
  • Meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners)
  • Entertainment and additional activities outside the main program
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
Good to know

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts — full refund. After that — according to the operator’s rules.

Reviews

Questions & answers

Have a question about this tour? Ask us — a local planner will answer in the chat.

Practical info

Good to know

Meeting place
You choose the meeting point, address, hotel, or airport in Almaty, agreed upon at booking
Suitable for
Active travelers · Prepared hikers · Teenagers 12 and older
Not suitable for
Pregnant women · People with heart or blood pressure conditions · Small children

What to bring

  • Identity card or passport
  • Trekking shoes with good tread
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses, and a hat
  • Warm jacket or fleece — it is cool in the mountains even in summer
  • Light rain jacket or a membrane jacket in case of mountain precipitation
  • Water bottle (to refill in villages and hotels) and a light snack for the road

Safety notes

Please follow the guide's instructions, check the weather forecast before departure, and bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Tour season: May 1 – October 30 (Season: May 1 – October 30 (mountain roads closed in winter))
Not sure? Ask a local expertDates, a different hotel, a child seat, another day order — we’ll reply within 2 hours.
from $510/ person