The 15 Best Day Trips from Almaty

Almaty: Charyn Canyon, Kolsay, and Kaindy Lakes Day Trip - Kaindy Lake and the bumpy UAZ connection

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,522 reviews · 17 hours · from $58Our pick

Explore Charyn Canyon, Kolsai, and Kaindy Lakes from Almaty on a 17-hour guided trip with local food and UAZ adventure.

“We had an exceptional tour to Charyn and Black Canyon, Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes with Panda Travel. Rustam was our guide and he managed the entire tour on his own with great energy, professionalism, and attention to detail. My favorite part was the UAV bus ride to Kaindy Lake where he sang Kazakh rap music on the way. The driver was also really nice and he ensured we stayed on schedule at every stop. The scenery was breathtaking, and the day was seamlessly organized. Highly recommended! Thank you Rustam and Panda Travel!”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews

Almaty: Kolsai-Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyons Day Trip

2.Kolsai-Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyons Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 505 reviews · 16 hours · from $43

Explore Charyn Canyon, Kolsai, and Kaindy Lakes from Almaty on a $43 guided day trip with transport, mountain views, and optional rides.

“super trip, long day but we could do everything in one day. The guide was really good and pleasant. I recommand, the locations are super beautiful and everything is taken in charge for a reasonable price. Thank you to the guide Dilnaz and the trainee Ice”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews

From Almaty: Kolsay, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Day Trip

3.Kolsay, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 452 reviews · from $43

See Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, Charyn and Black Canyons, and enjoy a full-value 17-hour adventure from Almaty.

“It's amazing how much you can fit into a single day but our amazing guide Karina made it happen. Even though it's a super early start, she kept us comfortable and excited all day. The places we stopped at and the ones we saw along the way were so beautiful! One of my favorite moments was when Karina and another guide Aiym got us singing and having fun during the ride to the second lake, where we also rode horses!”

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Almaty: Esik Lake and Turgen Waterfall Day Trip

4.Esik Lake and Turgen Waterfall Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 203 reviews · 10 hours · from $28Best value

Escape Almaty for Turgen Waterfall and Issyk Lake, with mountain views, an optional trout lunch, easy hikes, and excellent value at $28.

“the guide was excellent... the places visited were beautiful”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews

Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Trip

5.Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $57Top rated

See Kolsai, Kaindy, and Charyn Canyon from Almaty in one long day, with park fees, transport, hiking, and practical tips included.

“It’s all good, keep it up. We learned so much about Kazakhstan’s wonderful natural places and our tour guide, Jana is very informative, fun, and friendly.”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty:Kaindy and Kolsai lakes with Black Canyon 1 Day Tour

6.Kaindy and Kolsai lakes with Black Canyon 1 Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 51 reviews · 16 hours · from $48

Review of Almaty’s $48 day trip to Kaindy, Kolsai, and Black Canyon, with practical advice on timing, transport, costs, hiking, and value.

“I had a long and unforgettable day, discovering magnificent places and meeting very kind people . Sayana, our guide, was very pleasant and professional and allowed us to fully enjoy the day. Dana was also very kind and attentive. Thank you both for this wonderful day!”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Charyn canyon and Kolsai lake One day tour

7.Charyn canyon and Kolsai lake One day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 43 reviews · from $196

Review of Almaty’s private Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lake tour, with local lunch, guide tips, timing, price, hikes, and practical advice.

“Enlar and our driver were the best! We loved this immersive tour and ever changing nature! It’s really hard to describe how clear and beautiful Kolsai lake. The lunch provided was so delicious! Ending the day at Charyn canyon was a perfect way to close out exploring this beautiful part of the world. Definitely one of the best tours we have ever done!”

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Day Trip by SUV: Turgen Waterfall & Assy Plateau Adventure

8.Day Trip by SUV: Turgen Waterfall & Assy Plateau Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 39 reviews · 12 hours · from $50

Explore Turgen Waterfall and Assy Plateau from Almaty by 4x4 jeep, with mountain views, forest trails, tea, guides, and practical tips.

“We Had such a good day on our trip today our guide zahanna was super kind and always checked if we needed anything everything was so well organized and we really enjoyed ourselves definitely a day full of good memories”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Private, Private Tours in Almaty, Tour Reviews

Private Day Trip to Fantastic Charyn Canyon

9.Private Day Trip to Fantastic Charyn Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews · from $180

Review of a private Charyn Canyon day trip from Almaty, with red-rock views, Valley of Castles hikes, transport, pricing, and practical tips.

“First n foremost our Driver cum guide was the best person.His name was Miras.Very courteous n .helpful.His English was fluent n he showed us all the places.Scenery n weather was good.Will recommend a visit to Almaty to all.”

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1-day Backcountry Tour

10.1-day Backcountry Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $156

Explore Almaty’s Zailiyskiy Alatau on a guided backcountry ski tour with flexible routes, expert support, mountain views, and powder runs.

“Completed a two day avalanche awareness course with max then a day tour with Kirill. Both were fantastic!! Max was a very knowledgeable instructor and we learnt a lot!!”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Private, Private Tours in Almaty, Tour Reviews

One Day Private Kolsay Lake, Charyn and Black canyon

11.One Day Private Kolsay Lake, Charyn and Black canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · from $179

See Kolsay Lake, Charyn Canyon, Moon Canyon and Black Canyon from Almaty on a private day tour with lunch and hotel pickup.

“The day started at 6:30 exactly, being picked up with my guide's brand new car. Everytjinf was scheduled to perfection. The guide/driver was very knowledgable and passionate. I was given the option of first going to the canyon or to the lakRead more”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

1 Day Group Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake and Kaindy Lake

12.1 Day Group Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake and Kaindy Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $130

Review of a 1-day Almaty tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake, with route details, costs, timing, and practical tips.

“Amazing tour from start to finish. Alina, our guide was one of the sweetest and most helpful guides I've ever met and she did a stellar job of managing the tour. Pre-tour communication was also very efficient. 100% satisfied.”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Private, Private Tours in Almaty, Tour Reviews, Tours

1 Day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay and Kaiyndy

13.1 Day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay and Kaiyndy

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $89

Review of a private Almaty day tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy, and Kolsai Lakes, with practical timing, comfort, value, and booking advice.

“Very amazing tour ! Nice landscape, and Sam is doing a very nice service to us ! Very good experience with Sam tour to explore Almaty !”

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1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Private, Private Tours in Almaty, Tour Reviews, Tours

One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes

14.One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews · from $260

Review of Almaty’s private day tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake, with practical advice on timing, transport, cost, and hikes.

“This tour was the absolute highlight of our trip to Almaty, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. We did the full-day journey to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsay Lakes, and every moment was spectacular. The natural beauty is simRead more”

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From Astana: Burabai National Park (1 day tour)

15.Burabai National Park (1 day tour)

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 15 reviews · 1 day · from $150

Review of the Astana to Burabai National Park day tour, with Bolektau views, Zhumbaktas Rock, guide tips, costs, and practical advice.

“The hapiness and how we were treated by the guide was 100%. Good energy, clear understanding of english and Kazakhstan history. We felt really save and well welcomed. We recommend him a lot!”

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