Charyn Kulsai Kaindy 3 Days Tour
About this tour
Day 1. Almaty - Charyn canyon (Castle valley) - Saty village.
Day 2. First & Second Kulsai lakes.
Day 3. Visit to Kaindy lake, return to Almaty.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty, Kazakhstan to SATY, Kazakhstan
Pick up by 4x4 car from the place you stay in Almaty at 9 am and we are off from 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 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 of returning back to the car. One more stop at the top of the canyon to enjoy a bird's eye view. Another 2 hours of drive and we arrive to Saty village where we have dinner (traditional Kazakh meal) prepared with love by locals and homestay in Kazakh family (optionally hotel, camping or yurt stay). Total driving distance 312 km = 5 hours consists of Almaty – Charyn 220 km = 3 hours, Charyn – Saty 92 km = 2 hours Hiking distance 4 km = 1,5 hour Total timing of the day including stops, lunch and rest 9 hours
Day 2: SATY, Kazakhstan to Kolsai Lake, Kazakhstan
Day 2. First & Second Kulsai lakes. After breakfast and half an hour drive to the first Kulsai lake we take 4 hours hike (medium difficulty) from 1 800 meters above sea level up to 2 200 meters through the forest with skyscraper firtrees, flowering meadows. An hour for the lunch and swim for the brave ones (temperature of the water is around 6-8 degrees of Celsius) and we start our 4 hours way back to reach local food awaiting for us at homestay for dinner (optionally hotel, camping or yurt stay). Deep sleep after nice walk on a fresh air. Total driving distance 30 km = 40 minutes Hiking distance 16 km = 8 hours Total timing of the day including stops, lunch and rest 10 hours
Day 3: SATY, Kazakhstan to Almaty, Kazakhstan
Day 3. Visit to Kaindy lake, return to Almaty. After finishing the breakfast we drive for 1 hour of a real off-road with couple of exciting but not dangerous river crossings before we reach the parking place from which it is only 20 minutes walk down to Sunken forest. We are plenty of time to take pictures from different foreshortening and walking around the lake. Returning to the homestay for the last time to pack our belongings, have lunch and start our 5 hours drive back to Almaty city. Total driving distance 318 km = 7 hours consists of Saty – Kaindy - Saty 28 km = 2 hours (off-road), Saty – Almaty 290 km = 5 hours, Total hiking distance at Kaindy 3 km 1,5 hour Total timing of the day including stops, lunch and rest 10 hours
What's included
specially prepared suv (4x4) car, fuel, English speaking experienced driver – guide - translator, food - day 1 lunch and dinner, day 2 - breakfast, lunch and dinner, day 3 - breakfast and lunch, water, tea and coffee during the day, 2 nights of homestay (optionally hotel, camping or yurt stay), entrance fee to all national parks
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Almaty, Kazakhstan to SATY, Kazakhstan