3 day tour to Charyn canyon, Kolsay, Kaindy & Big Almaty lakes

^from$ 600

Duration	3 days
Category	HIKING
Season	Year-round

During this tour you will visit mysterious sunken forest in Lake Kaindy, pearl of Northern Tien-Shan - Kolsay lakes, one of the most picturesque lakes in Trans-Ili Alatau - Big Almaty lake

During this tour you will visit mysterious sunken forest in Lake Kaindy. Kayndy lake was formed in 1911 after a huge earthquake that resulted in a big landslide from the eastern slope. The rockslide “place of origin” can still be seen today, because it has not been overgrown yet.

Explore Charyn canyon. The erosion made by the river Charyn below and the elements created a dramatic and impressive landscape. The Charyn canyon itself is approximately 150 km and in some places up to 300 m deep.

Kolsay Lakes – one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan. These lakes are located at heights 2250 and 2700 meters above sea level. They are distinguished by the unique mountain watershed consisting of three natural zones and amazing variety of rare plants and animals. Kolsay Lakes are considered a pearl of Northern Tien-Shan

1 Day

Trip to Charyn canyon (300 km from Almaty)

6:00 early breakfast at the hotel and departure.

9:00 arrival to Charyn canyon.The canyon has been described as the Grand canyon’s little brother and is considered to be the floor of the ancient ocean Tethys. The erosion made by the river Charyn below and the elements created a dramatic and impressive landscape. The Charyn canyon itself is approximately 150 km and in some places up to 300 m deep

12:00 Lunch

14:30 Transfer to Kaindy lake (11 km off road). Kayndy lake (11 km off-road). Kayndy lake was formed in 1911 after a huge earthquake that resulted in a big landslide from the eastern slope. The rockslide “place of origin” can still be seen today, because it has not been overgrown yet. The uniqueness of the lake is that after the rise of natural dam that blocked the gorge, water that filled a basin has formed a lake but has not destroyed the spruce that had been growing in this place along the river.

18:00 dinner. Night stay at the guesthouse

2 Day

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

10:00 transfer to Kolsay lake1.Kolsay Lakes – one of the most beautiful places in Kazakhstan. These lakes are located at heights 2250 and 2700 meters above sea level. They are distinguished by the unique mountain watershed consisting of three natural zones and amazing variety of rare plants and animals. Kolsay Lakes are considered a pearl of Northern Tien-Shan located in 300 km from Almaty city.Boat trip.

13:00 lunch (outdoor picnic).

14:00 Horse riding/Hiking from Kolsay lake 1 to Kolsay lake 2. Free time.

18:00 Returning to the guesthouse and dinner. Night stay at the guesthouse.

3 Day

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

10:00 departure to Big Almaty lake

14:00 arrival and lunch (outdoor picnic).

You will get to the Alma - Arasan, recreation area. Big Almaty gorge, where at an altitude of 2,510 m above sea level located the Big Almaty lake - one of the most picturesque lakes in Trans-Ili Alatau. The lake is very beautiful, especially when its blue surface is absolutely calm, and it reflects the sky and surrounding mountains. Short trekking to Cosmo station

16:00 departure to the Sunkar falcon farm

On the way back to the town you will visit the Falcon Farm, where you will enjoy a spectacular show with specially trained hawks - hunting with them is one of the most unique features of the Kazakh way of life.

17:00 Birds of prey show. Sunkar was originally established to protect the falcon, whose numbers dropped alarmingly in the ’80s and ’90s, when a thriving market developed to export the birds to Arabia for big money. Habitat degradation and the impact of agrochemicals are other big issues confronting almost all birds of prey in Kazakhstan. Sunkar has around 400 birds it is taking care of from 15 species of owl, eagle, lammergeyer, vulture, hawk and falcon.

18:00 Transfer to the Almaty

19:00 arrival to the hotel

Accommodation in guesthouse on TWIN / DBL sharing basis (2 nights)
Transport with professional driver
Tickets to «Sunkar» falcon Farm
Meals: day 1 lunch and dinner, day 2 breakfast, lunch and dinner, day 3 breakfast and lunch
English-speaking guide services
Water – 1L per person per day
Entrance fees for all mentioned national parks
Photo and video charges
Horse riding
Alcohol + Beverages
Tips and gratuities
Any personal expenses and any services not included in the above itinerary

Cancellation policy

Payments & Cancellations

When you book a reservation for a Product through the Website, Steppe and Sky collects your payment information and processes your payment as described below under "Payment Processing". Steppe and Sky accepts the following credit cards: Mastercard, Visa, American Express. Also Steppe and Sky travel can issue invoices to your name. Full payment by credit or debit card is required to make a reservation.

No refunds are available once a tour or service has commenced, or in respect of any package, accommodation, meals or any other services utilized.

If you wish to cancel a reservation made via the Website, the supplier's cancellation policy contained in the applicable product listing will apply to, and govern the terms of, your cancellation and any refunds. When canceling a booking, you will be notified via email the total refund amount you will receive, if any.

The standard cancellation policy for Customers is:

a 90 % refund for cancellations made at least 15 days in advance of the start date of the experience. (Except for the tours to Baikonur Cosmodrome, see point 1)
a 60% refund for cancellations made later than at least 15 days in advance of the start date of experience. Unless the Customer could not inform the Steppe and Sky travel due to the force-majeure reasons.
Cancellations made within 48 hours of the start date of the experience will receive no refund.
In case of no-show the Customer will receive no refund.
For the tours to Baikonur Cosmodrome the following penalties apply:

1 a 90% refund for cancellations made after the payment is made before the permission from Roscosmos State Corporation is received.

2. a 80% refund in case of cancellation of the tour after receiving permission to visit the Cosmodrome Baikonur by Roscosmos , regardless of the time.

3. a 0% refund for cancellations made 14 days prior to the tour start.

4. a 80% refund in case when Roscosmos refuses the Customer in permission to visit the spaceport (Cosmodrome Baikonur),

5. a 80% refund is applicable when Roscosmos either transfers or cancels the launch of the spacecraft, unless the Customer chooses to use the tour package of ‘between launches’ period, in this case the cost of the tour is recalculated and the difference is transferred to the account of the Customer.

The value of the transaction may be subject to taxes, duties, foreign transaction, currency exchange or other fees. Your bank or credit or debit card company may convert the payment into the local currency and charge fees, resulting in differences between the amount displayed on Steppe and Sky Travel and the final amount charged to your bank account or credit or debit card statement. Please contact your bank or card company if you have any questions concerning any applicable conversion or fees.