Kazakhstan · 1-DAY TOURS

The 15 Best Day Trips from Almaty

32 tours  ·  from $28

A day trip here means five in the morning until eight at night, most of it on the road east. These 15 are compared on what you actually see for that, what it costs and how many stops get squeezed in.

Almaty: Charyn Canyon, Kolsay, and Kaindy Lakes Day Trip - Guides, music, and the group atmosphere
1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Tour Reviews

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

1.Charyn Canyon, Kolsay, and Kaindy Lakes Day Trip

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

Leave Almaty before sunrise for Charyn and Black Canyons, Kolsai Lake, and forest-ringed Kaindy Lake. You travel in a Mercedes Sprinter, then switch to a Soviet-era UAZ for the rough road to Kaindy. Guides such as Karina, Rustam, Amina, and Nurtas are known for clear English, local stories, music, and lively group care.

“Super cool tour with a lot of highlights! Karolina was super helpful, full of joy and a great guide for the whole trip :)”

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Almaty: Kolsai-Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyons Day Trip - Charyn Canyon and the Valley of Castles
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

This 16-hour trip takes you from central Almaty to Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Kolsai Lake and, if selected, Kaindy Lake. Guides such as Sayana, Altynai, Zhanna and Anel lead the day in English or Russian. Choose the full route, spend longer at Kolsai and Charyn, or focus on both mountain lakes.

“We had a truly enjoyable trip from start to finish. Everything was well organized, and our guide was incredibly helpful, kind, and attentive, which made the experience even more special. We felt well taken care of the whole time and would warmly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a memorable and pleasant journey.”

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From Almaty: Kolsay, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Day Trip - Kolsai Lake: mountain water and optional boating
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

Join Panda Travel for a 17-hour English or Russian guided trip from Almaty to Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, and Moon Canyon in summer. Expect early pickup, long drives, short walks, optional boating and horseback riding, a bumpy Soviet-era UAZ ride, and guides such as Karina, Nurtas, Ice, and Adam.

“I randomly selected Panda Travels for the Day trip, but it turned out to be an amazing chapter of my travelling journal. Thanks to Karina, she was an excellent guide. She managed the whole trip very well and attended the group very nicely. Panda Travels is highly recommended!”

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Almaty: Esik Lake and Turgen Waterfall Day Trip - The trout farm and optional lunch
1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Issyk Lake Tours, Tour Reviews, Turgen Waterfall Tours

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

Join a 10-hour group trip from Almaty to Turgen Waterfall and Issyk Lake. You will hike about 1.3 km to the falls, stop at a trout farm for optional lunch, and spend up to two hours by the lake. Guides such as Sayana, Aigerim, and Altynai have been praised for friendly help and clear explanations, but transport and restaurant quality can vary.

“it was great!! , Guide Sayana was fabulous, she explained the location very well. we were vegetarians she even helped us with food everywhere”

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Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Trip - Charyn Canyon: an active first stop
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

Leave Almaty at 5:00 am for a full day among Kazakhstan’s finest natural sights. Walk through Charyn Canyon, hike about 2.5 kilometers to Kaindy Lake and its sunken trees, then stroll beside Kolsai Lake. Guides such as Jana and Sayana add local insight and good humor. Transport, park fees, and a small gift are included.

“It was a very cool trip, you get to see a lot of nice places. Our guide Sayana organized everything perfectly and was so much fun.”

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Almaty:Kaindy and Kolsai lakes with Black Canyon 1 Day Tour - Kolsai Lake gives you more room to walk
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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

Set out from Abay Avenue with an English or Russian-speaking guide for a 16-hour trip to Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lake, and Black Canyon. You will ride a bus and UAZ van, walk by both lakes, and have optional horse riding and boating. Guides such as Alina, Sayana, Rollan, and Zhibek have been praised for clear explanations and attentive service.

“The tour was very enjoyable and thanks to our guide Tomi, who was very caring and looked after us. She has a very good sense of humour which helped in passing long hours of journey. Her knowledge of English is very good and her explanations of the legends was interesting. Highly recommended.”

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Charyn canyon and Kolsai lake One day tour - Baiseit village and a local lunch
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Charyn canyon and Kolsai lake One day tour

7.Charyn canyon and Kolsai lake One day tour

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

Set out from Almaty at 7 a.m. for a private day at Charyn Canyon and Kolsai Lake. You’ll get a short canyon hike, mountain views, a local lunch, and the option of a boat ride. Guides including Dias, Enlar, and Diana are praised for friendly, careful service, making this a strong choice for families and solo visitors.

“This is a brilliant tour for people with families . Our guide Dias excellent and helped make the day better . You should specially ask for him while booking the tour . Kolsai lake is stunning with beautiful turquoise waters . Charyn canyon are bRead more”

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Day Trip by SUV: Turgen Waterfall & Assy Plateau Adventure - The SUV ride changes the scale of the day
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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

Joinme Asia takes you from Almaty to Bear Waterfall and the high Assy Plateau in a 12-hour SUV trip. Expect a light forest walk, rough mountain roads, alpine views, hot tea, and small-group guiding in English or Russian. Guides such as Aya, Altynay, Jana, and Zahanna have been praised for their care, though food and warm layers are up to you.

“Although the weather was not at its best, we thoroughly enjoyed this day trip to the bear waterfalls and Assy plateau. The trek to the waterfalls is a light one and our 4 year old had no problem doing it. Jana, our guide was cheerful and friendly, responding to our questions. One recommendation to future travellers is to plan and carry food for all meals as only snacks are available at the food stops.”

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Private Day Trip to Fantastic Charyn Canyon - Walking through the Valley of Castles
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Private Day Trip to Fantastic Charyn Canyon

9.Private Day Trip to Fantastic Charyn Canyon

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

Travel privately from Almaty to Charyn Canyon, a 3.5-hour drive to red sandstone cliffs shaped by wind, water, and sand. Walk through the Valley of Castles toward the Charyn River, stop for photos, and enjoy free time for short hikes. A guide, vehicle, water, park fees, and hotel transfers are included, but lunch is not.

“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 - What the morning may feel like
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1-day Backcountry Tour

10.1-day Backcountry Tour

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

Leave Almaty’s pistes behind for a private day of guided freeriding below the treeline in the Zailiyskiy Alatau. Guides Max, Maxim, Kirill, and the FrozenRocks team match routes to your group, from gentle powder fields to couloirs and tree runs. Pickup is offered, and the day starts at 8:00 am.

“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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One Day Private Kolsay Lake, Charyn and Black canyon - Kolsay Lake, the day’s main event
1-Day Tours, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Tours, Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes Tours, Private, 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

Start at 5:00 am for a private drive from Almaty to Kolsay Lake, Charyn Canyon, Moon Canyon and Black Canyon. Guides including Yernar, Denis and Nurlan are praised for local insight, flexible planning and photos. The day runs 10 to 11 hours and includes admission, transport and traditional food lunch.

“We organised this day trip at very short notice and Nurlan and his nephew were wonderful! They picked us up from our hotel, very nice comfortable car and even gave us a welcome gift of local chocolate 😊 The places we visited were beyoRead more”

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1 Day Group Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay Lake and Kaindy Lake - Lunch in Saty village, with local food or a vegetarian option
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

Leave Almaty at 5:00 am for Charyn Canyon, then continue to Saty village, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake. Guide Alina has earned special praise for her helpful manner and strong local knowledge. The $130 price includes transport, lunch, water, and entry fees, but the day lasts 12 to 14 hours and includes rough vehicle changes and walking.

“This tour was great! It took me to several wonderful places of both dramatic and calming natural beauty probably unknown to most tourists coming to Kazakhstan (including myself, it was my second time in Kazakhstan but I had only viRead more”

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1 Day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kolsay and Kaiyndy - Leaving Almaty for Charyn Canyon
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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

Leave Almaty early for Charyn Canyon, the sunken forest of Kaiyndy Lake, and the alpine waters of Kolsay Lakes. Your private guide may be Ayan, Sam, Sanjar, or Sanzhar, with pickup, snacks, drinks, WiFi, and flexible stop times included. Expect a rewarding 15 to 18-hour day with 6 to 8 hours on the road.

“Great tour to very interesting/beautiful places. It is a long day with a lot of driving, but it is definitely worth it. The drive to Kaiyndy Lake is very adventurous and memorable. Everything was well organized and the guide/driver was very friendly. I can only recommend this tour.”

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One day Private Tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes - Lunch in Saty Village or a Yurt
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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

Start at 5:00 am from Almaty for a private 12 to 14-hour trip to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake. The package includes transport, entrance fees, bottled water, and a local lunch or vegetarian meal. Expect old vehicles near Kaindy, a short walk, mountain roads, and optional boating or horse riding at extra cost.

“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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1-Day Tours, Astana Tours, Burabay National Park Tours, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Astana: Burabai National Park (1 day tour)

15.Burabai National Park (1 day tour)

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

Travel from Astana to Burabai National Park in a small group of up to four people with an English or Russian-speaking guide. You will hike Mount Bolektau, see Okzhetpes and Zhumbaktas rocks, visit Abylai Khan’s clearing, and stop for lunch. Guides including Daniyar, Denis, and Damir are praised for careful driving and local insight.

“The trip from Astana to Burabay was great. The route was well chosen and we stopped at some great viewpoints. There was always enough time to explore nature in peace. The guide has a lot of knowledge about the area and was able to help with any questions. The vehicle was comfortable and the guide had a pleasant driving style. We can recommend the tour.”

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