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Almaty Lakes, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Group Trip
Kazakhstan7 Days 6 Nightsgroup tour

Almaty Lakes, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Group Trip

Almaty Lakes, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Group Trip, photo 1
Almaty Lakes, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Group Trip, photo 2
Almaty Lakes, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Group Trip, photo 3
Almaty Lakes, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Group Trip, photo 4

Duration

7 Days 6 Nights

Pickup

Almaty International Airport

Drop

Almaty International Airport

Type

International (long-haul)

Overview & Highlights

This group trip pairs the best of Almaty with the wild country to its east. You ride up to Shymbulak, visit Medeu and see the turquoise water of Big Almaty Lake, then head out to the Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon. An overnight stay near the Kolsai Lakes lets you see the alpine lakes and Lake Kaindy, famous for its sunken spruce trunks, without a rushed day. A trip captain travels with the group throughout, and Indian meal options are available on request.

  • Almaty city tour with Kok Tobe Hill by cable car
  • Shymbulak by cable car and Medeu, the high-altitude skating rink
  • Big Almaty Lake in the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains
  • Valley of Castles in Charyn Canyon
  • Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy with its sunken spruce trunks
  • Overnight stay near the Kolsai Lakes for an unhurried visit
  • Trip captain and Indian meal options on request

Itinerary

1Day 1: Arrival in Almaty
  • Arrive at Almaty airport and meet your trip captain.
  • Transfer to your hotel and check in.
  • Relax and meet your fellow travellers at a welcome briefing.
  • Overnight stay in Almaty.
2Day 2: Almaty City Tour | Kok Tobe
  • After breakfast, set out on a guided tour of Almaty.
  • Visit Panfilov Park and Zenkov Cathedral.
  • Take the cable car up Kok Tobe Hill for views over the city and the mountains.
  • Explore Green Bazaar for spices, dried fruits and local sweets.
  • Overnight stay in Almaty.
3Day 3: Medeu and Shymbulak
  • After breakfast, drive into the mountains to Medeu, the high-altitude skating rink.
  • Continue to Shymbulak and ride the cable car up for panoramic views.
  • Spend free time at the resort before heading back to the city.
  • Overnight stay in Almaty.
4Day 4: Big Almaty Lake | Free Evening
  • After breakfast, drive up to Big Almaty Lake, set among the peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau.
  • Spend time by the water for photographs and a short walk, as conditions allow.
  • Return to Almaty for a free afternoon.
  • Stroll along Arbat Street in the evening.
  • Overnight stay in Almaty.
5Day 5: Charyn Canyon | Drive to Kolsai
  • After an early breakfast, set out on a long scenic drive east of Almaty.
  • Visit Charyn Canyon and walk through the Valley of Castles.
  • Continue towards the Kolsai Lakes area with comfort stops on the way.
  • Check in to a guesthouse or lodge near the lakes.
  • Overnight stay near Kolsai Lakes.
6Day 6: Kolsai Lakes | Lake Kaindy | Return to Almaty
  • After breakfast, visit the first of the Kolsai Lakes and enjoy the surrounding spruce forest.
  • Continue to Lake Kaindy to see the sunken spruce trunks rising from the water.
  • Begin the long drive back to Almaty after lunch.
  • Arrive at your hotel in the evening.
  • Overnight stay in Almaty.
7Day 7: Departure from Almaty
  • After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
  • Transfer to Almaty airport for your flight back to India.

Weather, road conditions and safety may require changes to the itinerary.

Inclusions

  • Hotel stay on twin sharing in Almaty, plus one night in a guesthouse or lodge near the Kolsai Lakes
  • Daily breakfast
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers
  • Sightseeing, excursions and inter-city transfers as per the itinerary
  • Kok Tobe and Shymbulak cable car rides as per the itinerary
  • Entry tickets and activities listed in the itinerary
  • A trip captain accompanying the group throughout
  • Indian meal options on request
  • Assistance from our travel experts before and during your trip

Exclusions

  • International and domestic airfare
  • Visa fees and processing, where applicable
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Optional activities
  • Personal expenses, laundry, tips and porterage
  • Local city or tourism taxes payable at the hotel, where applicable
  • Anything not listed under inclusions
  • GST and TCS as applicable

Other Info

Must carry

  • Passport and visa copies, where applicable
  • Return flight tickets
  • Travel insurance copy
  • Forex or an international card
  • Power adapter for Type C or F sockets (230 V)
  • Warm jacket and layers for the lakes and mountains
  • Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
  • Small overnight bag for the Kolsai night

Notes

  • Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  • Standard hotel check-in is around 2 pm and check-out around 12 noon.
  • The order of the itinerary may change with weather, road, flight or operational conditions, without reducing the sights covered.
  • Rates and availability are confirmed at the time of booking.
  • Cancellation and refund are as per our Terms & Conditions.
  • This is a small group trip, and each departure runs on minimum numbers.
  • A trip captain accompanies the group throughout the journey.
  • The Charyn and Kolsai days involve long drives and walking on uneven ground, so a reasonable level of fitness is recommended.
  • Accommodation near the Kolsai Lakes is simpler than city hotels, and Lake Kaindy access depends on weather and road conditions.

See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.

Almaty Lakes, Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Group Trip | Indian Rounds