Day One

Almaty - Charyn canyon (Castle valley) – Kaindy - Saty village.
Early in the morning at 9 am we pick you up by suv car from the place you accommodate in Almaty and leave the city to the direction of Charyn canyon.
On our way we make stop in one of the local villages to taste barbeque or vegetarian food and make some shopping on bazar (fresh Kazakh bread, fruits by season - apples, melon, watermelon).
After 4 hours of drive including lunch we arrive to National park of Charyn, prepare for 30 minutes of easy walk getting deeper and exploring canyon's descent so called Castle valley, resting in the shade of the trees by the cool river and around 40 minutes returning back to the car.
One more stop at the top of the canyon to enjoy a bird's eye view. Another 2 hours drive and we arrive to Saty village from where it takes 1 hour of real off road with couple of exciting but not dangerous river crossings to get to the parking place then only 20 minutes horse riding and 10 minutes walk down to Sunken forest to reach Kaindy lake.
We are plenty of time to take pictures from different foreshortening and walking around the lake. Drive back to Saty village where we have dinner (traditional Kazakh meal) prepared with love by locals and homestay in Kazakh family.

Total driving distance 340 km = 7 hours consists from Almaty – Charyn 220 km = 3 hours, Charyn – Saty 92 km = 2 hours, Saty – Kaindy - Saty 28 km = 2 hours (off-road)
Total hiking distance 10 km 2,5 hour, including Charyn 4 km 1,5 hour + Kaindy 3 km 1 hour  
Total timing of the day including stops, lunch and rest 12 hours

The second day

First Kulsai lake - Almaty.
After breakfast and half an hour drive to the first Kulsai lake we take 2 hours easy hike around biggest Kulsai lake and little bit deeper through the forest with skyscraper firtrees, flowering meadows. The brave ones can take a swim in the lake, temperature of the water is around 6-8 degrees of Celsius. After nice walk on a fresh air and swim hot local food will be awaiting for us at homestay for lunch.

Total driving distance 320 km = 5h 40 minutes consists of Saty – Kulsai - Saty 30 km = 40 minutes, Saty – Almaty 290 km = 5 hours
Total hiking distance 4 km = 3 hours
Total timing of the day including stops, lunch and rest 10 hours

an individual all inclusive 2 days tour to Charyn canyon, Kulsai and Kaindy lakes for 2 people with specially prepared suv (4x4) car, fuel, English speaking driver – guide - translator, food - day 1 lunch and dinner, day 2 - breakfast and lunch, water, tea and coffee during the day, entrance fee to all national parks and 1 night (depending on accommodation you chose) costs

You have see something  is not in program?

The route can be changed or supplemented at your request; if you dream of seeing an attraction not listed in this program, contact the tour organizers - we will definitely try to resolve this issue and tell you about all possible options.

Examples of options: On the 1st day, you can see other canyons in addition to or instead of the valley of castles, such as Lunny, Bestamak, Temerlik. On the 2nd day, you can go to the second Kolsai lake by horse or on foot. Instead of a guest house, you can stay overnight in tents or a hotel near Lake Kolsai.

Guide all be around

If unforeseen circumstances arise, you have any ideas, you want to clarify something - immediately contact our guides. They are always ready to help you with a variety of issues :)