Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour

This 2-day circuit is interesting because it mixes Charyn Canyon viewpoints with the very different feel of Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, then finishes with a real yurt camp night under the stars. You get two days of mountain air without having to plan every turn yourself.

I love the pace built around meaningful time at each stop, not just drive-by photos. I also like how guides often bring energy and context, with many departures featuring guides such as Nazerke, Luba, Elnara, and Muhta who keep things fun while pointing out what matters.

One possible drawback is that you trade comfort for distance: it’s a lot of car hours, and the yurt camp setup can mean shared washrooms that feel tight at peak times. If you’re sensitive to crowds or basic facilities, plan ahead with small comforts from home.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Two iconic canyon experiences in one trip: Moon Canyon viewpoints, then the longer Charyn Canyon Valley of the Castles walk.
• Separate lake time for Kolsai and Kaindy: you get time on both, with optional activities at each.
• Yurt night that feels social: dinner, bonfire, and group games like karaoke or Uno show up often.
• A transport plan that matches the terrain: A/C van most of the way, then an off-road Soviet-style transfer for Kaindy.
• Small-group feel: capped at a maximum of 30 travelers, with frequent praise for guides and drivers keeping everyone on track.
• Vegetarian options are handled: vegetarian food can be provided if you request it.

A 2-day road trip that hits Charyn plus two very different lakes

If you want Kazakhstan in a compact format, this tour makes a smart pitch. In two days you cover Charyn National Park highlights, then Kolsai, then Kaindy, with an overnight stay in a yurt camp set in the foothills.

What I like about this style of itinerary is the balance. It’s not only about the big photo stops. It also gives you walking time and optional add-ons, so you can shape the day to your comfort level.

You should also know the tour is physically moderate. You’ll be in a car for long stretches and you’ll do some walking and hiking, including an out-and-back walk down to the Charyn river area.

Price and value: what $130 includes, and what you might pay extra

At $130 per person, this feels like decent value for a two-day, multi-site day trip with an overnight. The tour includes breakfast and dinner, plus two lunches and bottled water, so you are not hunting for meals between stops.

It also includes national park entrance fees, transportation on a modern A/C van or bus, and the overnight accommodation options (rooms with attached WC or yurts shared with other participants). Many people also mention being pleased with how the itinerary stays organized and on schedule for the amount of driving.

Where the price can change in your wallet is optional activities. Boating and horseback-riding are listed as optional, starting from 6000 KZT per person, and you may see different pricing depending on what’s available on the day. If you want to ride, bring enough cash just in case.

Also note that special dietary needs beyond vegetarian are listed as not included. If you have strict requirements, you’ll want to ask before booking.

Day 1 in Charyn National Park, then Lower Kolsai Lake

Day 1 starts with Charyn National Park, then shifts to Lower Kolsai Lake for the main water-time of the day. This works well because Charyn warms you up visually first, then you get a calmer, slower feel at the lakes.

The car day can feel long, but the stops break it up. You should expect a mix of short viewpoints and a longer lake block where you can actually walk and explore.

If you’re the type who wants to photograph, this is a strong pairing. The canyon views give you depth and color, then the lakes give you misty, quiet contrast.

Moon Canyon and Black Canyon: quick stops with real payoff

In Charyn National Park you’ll visit the Moon Canyon viewpoint, then have a short stop at Black Canyon. The Moon Canyon spot is positioned for photos, while Black Canyon is more of a compact taste before you move on.

This is the kind of stop where timing matters. When you only have about an hour total for the Charyn portion, you’ll get better results if you show up ready, camera charged, and shoes that work on uneven ground.

The plus side is you do not spend all day in a single canyon. You get two different looks, and then you still make it to Kolsai with time to enjoy it.

Lower Kolsai Lake: walking time plus optional horseback or boating

Lower Kolsai Lake is the day’s real break point. You get about two hours here, with walking and optional activities such as horseback-riding or boating. That optional layer is useful because Kolsai can be reached and enjoyed in more than one way.

If you like to roam, walking lets you pick your own route and stop for viewpoints at your pace. If you want less effort, the optional horseback or boating options can reduce how much hiking you do.

One thing to keep in mind is that optional activities can be a cash decision. Reviews and tour details both point to costs paid for extras, so I recommend bringing some spare tenge and keeping your expectations flexible.

Overnight yurt camp: dinner, games, and that star-sky quiet

The overnight stay is one of the signature reasons people book this tour. You’ll sleep in a yurt camp at the foothills, far from road noise, with the sound of a mountain river in the background and a starry sky view.

This is also where the tour can feel most authentically Kazakhstan-style. The day ends with a rustic dinner of local cuisine, plus games and fun around the bonfire. Many people mention karaoke after dinner, and some groups get playful with games like Uno.

Sleep and comfort are usually praised, with reviews noting clean rooms when the room option is chosen and warm, comfortable yurt tents on at least some departures. Some guests also mention practical surprises like electricity and wifi being available.

The fair warning is washroom planning. Yurts are shared with other participants, and some guests reported that the number of showers and toilets felt stretched when the camp was busy, including missing essentials like toilet paper on one night. If shared bathrooms matter to you, pack a small kit so you are not relying on the camp to have everything.

Day 2 starts with Kaindy Lake, then finishes with the Valley of the Castles

Day 2 shifts into Kaindy Lake first, with about three hours on the water area. Then you move to Charyn Canyon National Park for the longer walk experience at the Valley of the Castles.

This two-part structure is good because Kaindy feels unique and visual, while Valley of the Castles gives you a more active, grounded hike. One day is more about awe and stillness, the other is about movement.

I also like that the order puts Kaindy early. Off-road routes can be slower, and morning timing generally makes the day feel less rushed.

Kaindy Lake: off-road transfer on a Soviet van and time to hike

Kaindy Lake is reached using an off-road transfer on a Soviet van. That part can be bumpy, and it’s why the tour keeps you in a limited time window so you can spend energy where it counts: at Kaindy.

Once you’re there, you get choices. You can hike, or take optional horseback-riding depending on conditions, and you get about three hours in total. A few people also note that the lake experience can be smaller than Kolsai, so your best strategy is to use the full time for walking, photos, and slowing down.

Practical tip: ask how the horse option works before you commit. One group reported that horseback was the only way for their time slot after they arrived, and they had to wait for a long stretch when someone in the group could not ride. That kind of situation is rare, but it’s a good reminder to have a plan A and plan B for getting around.

Valley of the Castles walk: a 1.5 km out-and-back down to the river

Your final stop is Charyn Canyon National Park, specifically the Valley of the Castles. You visit several spots there, then you do a walking route along the canyon bottom, about 1.5 km one way to the Charyn river and back.

The tour lists the walk as 2.5 hours for this segment, including time at viewpoints. It’s not a long distance on paper, but the canyon terrain means pace will depend on footing and how you stop for photos.

One more detail that matters: the admission for this part is listed as free in the itinerary notes. Entrance fees for the parks overall are included in the package, so it’s not a surprise bill, but it’s helpful to know which portion is treated as ticket-free.

Guides and drivers: why the personalities matter on long days

On multi-hour drives, a guide can make the trip feel smooth or stressful. A big share of the best reviews mention guides who are fun and actively involved, not just reciting facts.

Names that came up often include Nazerke, Luba, Elnara, Farrukh, Muhta, Eli, Uldana, Azamat, Kuanysh, Dana, Aigerim, and Aiya. Many praised them for being attentive, keeping the group together, and explaining what you are seeing in a way that feels relevant.

Drivers also get credit, especially for safe handling on mountain roads. Ruslan is one driver name that showed up in multiple positive notes, with guests highlighting careful driving.

Now the honest part: logistics issues can happen on any road trip. One negative account described a bus breakdown that caused major delays and affected lake timing. That does not seem to be the norm from the overall high rating, but it is proof that you should pack snacks, water, and patience even when a trip is well planned.

Food, washrooms, and what to pack so you are comfortable

Food is a mixed topic, but not in a broken way. Many guests liked the meals and felt vegetarian requests were handled well. Others said lunch or yurt dinner could be basic or not enough after a hiking day, and breakfast sometimes sounded limited.

So I recommend you treat included meals as good to have, not as a guarantee of gourmet. Bring a few backup snacks for the day, especially for stretches between viewpoints.

Washrooms are the other area to take seriously. You can face limited options at the yurt camp and during transport breaks. Some people mentioned unclean stops and no clear water availability, so do not assume every break will be convenient.

What I’d pack for this tour:

• Layers for fast temperature swings, since wind and even early snow can show up in some seasons
• Hiking boots or shoes with grip for canyon and lake paths
• A small toilet kit for shared washrooms (tissue, sanitizer, a tiny pack of wipes)
• Cash for optional horseback-riding or boating if you want the extras
• Snacks to smooth out gaps if a day runs slower than planned

Clothing and fitness: moderate effort, long sitting, and weather changes

The tour calls for moderate physical fitness. You’ll be able to handle long car rides, long walks, and hikes depending on your chosen options at Kolsai and Kaindy.

Even if you are not an athlete, the key is comfort under time pressure. You will likely walk repeatedly during both canyon and lake sections, and you might do more if you choose to hike instead of riding.

Weather can change fast in this region. Guests reported strong winds and even a first snowfall during their trip, so bring a warm layer even if the day starts mild.

Who this tour suits best, and who might want a different plan

This tour fits best if you want a guided route with enough time to actually enjoy Kolsai and Kaindy, not just see them from a bus window. It is also a great fit for solo travelers, since the group format and evening camp activities make it easier to meet people.

You should consider another style if you:

• Need very private washrooms, since shared yurt facilities can be limited
• Have trouble with long car days and canyon walking
• Have disabilities or injuries that limit mobility, since the tour explicitly excludes travelers who cannot handle those demands
• Travel with children under 5, since children under 5 are not allowed

If you love structured adventure but still want choices, this format works. Optional horseback and boating let you tune the intensity without changing the overall schedule.

Should you book it? My take on the decision

Book this tour if you want high-impact sights packed into two days: Charyn Canyon viewpoints plus the distinct mood of two famous lakes, with a memorable yurt camp night. At $130, the inclusion of park fees, meals, modern A/C transport, and an overnight setup makes the overall value feel fair.

Think twice if washrooms and comfort standards are your top priority. The views and experiences get strong praise, but the yurt camp setup can vary by group size, and food quality seems to depend on the specific departure.

If you do book, I suggest two smart moves: bring a small toilet kit and bring extra snacks. Then you can enjoy the best part of the itinerary without small discomforts taking over your day.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour?

The tour lasts 2 days (approximately).

How much does the tour cost per person?

The price is $130.00 per person.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered.

Where do you stay overnight?

Overnight accommodation is at a yurt camp. You can also choose accommodation in rooms with attached WC (availability depends on what is offered for your group). Yurts are shared with other participants.

What meals are included?

Breakfast and dinner are included, and lunch is provided twice. Bottled water is also included.

Which major sights does the tour visit?

You visit Charyn National Park (Moon Canyon viewpoint and a short stop at Black Canyon), Lower Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon National Park including the Valley of the Castles.

Are national park entrance fees included?

Yes, national parks entrance fees are included. The Valley of the Castles portion is listed as admission ticket free in the itinerary notes.

Are horseback riding and boating included?

No. Boating and horseback-riding are optional and listed from 6000 KZT per person.

Who should not book this tour?

Children under 5 are not allowed. The tour is also not for travelers who cannot withstand long trips by car, long walks and hikes, or for travelers with disabilities, injuries, or diseases that limit physical abilities.

What is the cancellation policy for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid is not refunded.