The Pearls of the Northern Tien Shan
Turquoise alpine lakes, the surreal Sunken Forest and the red rocks of Charyn Canyon on a relaxed two-day journey with a private guide.
2 Days
Almaty
Morning
4x4 off-road vehicle
The Kolsay–Kaindy tour is a journey through the most picturesque landscapes of south-eastern Kazakhstan. The route combines mountain lakes, ancient forests and dramatic canyons.
Lake Kaindy, known as the Sunken Forest, was formed after a massive earthquake in 1911. The submerged spruce forest creates an underwater landscape that looks like a scene from a fantasy film.
Lower Kolsay Lake, the Pearl of the Northern Tien Shan, is surrounded by towering mountains. The clear water reflects the peaks and creates a mirror-like effect.
Near the lake you may spot weasels and stoats — skilled hunters perfectly adapted to this environment. Their graceful movements add a special charm to the wild atmosphere.
We prioritise meaningful exploration over quantity. Expect time to walk, stretch and discover hidden photo spots that are not on standard tourist maps.
Charyn Canyon features bizarre rock formations resembling medieval fortresses. The red and orange hues are particularly striking at sunrise and sunset.
The order of stops may change depending on the season, weather and road conditions.
Almaty – Charyn Canyon – Saty Village
Driving and hiking day. The order of stops may change for weather and road conditions.
Kaindy Lake – Kolsay Lake – Black Canyon – Almaty
A full day of lakes and forest. Timings are adjusted to the group pace.
Flexibility comes first
The route is private and can be adapted to your interests and fitness level.
Near the lake you can see brisk and agile weasels and stoats. These small predators are well adapted to their environment and are skilled hunters. Their graceful bodies and fluffy tails give them a special charm.
A variety of scenic spots — lakes, forests, animals and unusual trees — creates bright moments for photography. The guide knows the hidden angles that are not on standard maps.
Explore the breathtaking beauty of Kazakhstan through our photos
Every route is arranged privately. Tell us your dates, group size and wishes, and we will send a personal quote in US dollars.
Request a quoteRead what guests say after travelling with Juliya.
Our tour with Julia was amazing! She is a really great driver and guide. Taking us to the best places and telling us everything about those places, she really knows a lot. She took really good care of us (even arranged vegetarian food for me in such a meat loving country) and it was great fun with her. Her English is great as well and she is really responsive. Would def recommend a tour with her!
Yuliya sent me a guide who speaks Korean really well and a English speaking driver. They are terrific! No problem in communication and fell comfortable. Car and Lunch both are good. The Assy plateau is very amazing and I could really enjoy it.
We have the chance to spent two days with Dima in our trip. He has been a really awesome guide, very kind, helpful and with a lot informations to tell about kazakhstan, the nature and everything around. Always with a smile and great kindness to us. We really enjoyed the real coffee from the coffee's maker around charyn canyon. It was such a blast. The homestay was like home, warm and sweet with great dishes. We felt very honoured by everyone. The different landscapes we explored were amazing and so beautiful. It has been two awesome days, and probably the best in our trip. We thank a lot Yuliya for her efficient work to organized the trip as we asked. She did a great work finding what would be the best according our wishs and fund. Thank you very much for everythin. We highly recommand them.
Yuliya is a very knowledgeable and experienced tour guide. Her 4x4 off-road car will take you virtually everywhere you would like to go. Moreover, she is a very safe driver, which is not so evident in Central Asia. She took fantastic care of us and really customized the tour to our likings. In short, if you would like to see some of Kazakhstan's varied and very beautiful nature in a time efficient manner, we would highly recommend booking a tour with Yuliya.
Yuliya was the best tourguide I ever had so far. She was very responsive in all my messages, she was very considerate in all my request especially I was going alone and was on a budget trip. She even arranged my 4 days itinerary even if I'll be with her for 2 days trip only. I just had the best 30th birthday in kazakhstan and it was all beacause of yuliya. I had great food and a very comfortable and warm home. She made me experienced how beautiful and astonishing kazakhstan is.
Fantastic trip with Yuliya to see Kaindy/ Kolsai Lake and Charyn Canyon. Not a bad word to say. You couldn't really ask for more in a laidback, relaxed and thoroughly enjoyable trip. Communication was excellent from very first contact to on time arrival at hotel meeting point. It felt more like a road trip with a friend than a trip with a tour guide I'd never met before. Very knowledgeable about the area, sights, nature and wildlife. Safe driving and good conversation. Great local shashlik. Homestay in Saty was very comfortable and home cooked food simple (manti) yet delicious and very filling. It was a shame it was over so quickly!
The Golden Trio price includes the guide/driver, fuel and toll roads, a 4x4 vehicle, guest house accommodation, meals during the tour, and national park entrance fees. Flights to and from Almaty, travel insurance, and personal expenses are not included. The final price depends on group size, route and preferences, and is confirmed individually before booking.
The pace is planned so you can walk and look around without rushing. On the standard Golden Trio route we allow about 30–90 minutes at each major stop; at Kolsay Lake the walk along the shore takes about 1.5–2 hours. Timings can be adjusted on the day for weather, road conditions and the group's pace.
Tours are run in a 4x4 off-road vehicle, usually a Toyota Land Cruiser, suited to mountain roads. The exact vehicle is confirmed for your dates and group size.
Private tours are arranged for your own group. Group tours can take up to 30 people in total; transport for larger groups is arranged according to the number of guests. Tell us the group size in advance and we will confirm the vehicle and guide arrangements.
Routes are adapted to your fitness and pace. On the standard Golden Trio itinerary, the descent to the Valley of Castles in Charyn takes about 30 minutes and the climb back about 45 minutes. At Kolsay Lake, the walk along the shore takes about 1.5–2 hours. At Kaindy Lake you can reach the lake on foot (about 40 minutes), by horse or by local taxi. Longer routes, including the second Kolsay lake, can be discussed on request.
We usually return to Almaty in the late afternoon or early evening, but mountain weather and road conditions can cause delays. If you have an international flight that evening, we recommend leaving a generous buffer or staying one extra night in Almaty. We will advise on timing for your dates, but the final decision and any change fees remain with you.
Yes. On longer drives we stop roughly every 1.5–2 hours where conditions allow, at local shops and viewpoints. We also use the drive to show places that are not on standard tourist maps. Exact stops depend on the route, weather and road conditions.
Pack sturdy walking shoes, layered clothing (mountain weather changes quickly) and sun protection. Bring a personal first-aid kit, snacks and a thermos if you like hot drinks. Carry your passport and some cash or cards with you. Mobile signal can be patchy in the mountains, so download offline maps in advance and share your itinerary with someone at home.