3 day tour to Charyn canyon, Kolsay and Kaindy lakes

^from$ 775

Duration	3 days
Category	NATURE
Season	Year-round

During this tour you will visit Charyn National Park and the pearl of the northern Tien Shan - Kolsay lakes.

During this tour you will visit Charyn National Park and the pearl of the northern Tien Shan - Kolsay lakes. Charyn Canyon is a canyon of 154 km long. The canyon is located 195 km east of Almaty, not far from the border with China. The canyon isincluded into the territory of the Charyn National Park. Charyn Canyon -is a natural monument, built of sedimentary rocks, the age of these rocks is about 12 million years. The height of the steep canyon mountains reaches 150-300 m. The most interesting place for tourists is the so-called Valley of castles, which is about 2 km long and 20–80 m wide. In the bosom of the canyon there is a grove of relict species of ash, which survived the epoch of glaciation - Sogdian ash. There is another similar grove only in North America. Since 1964, Ash Grove has been declared a natural monument.

1 Day

08:00 early breakfast at the hotel and departure

12:00 arrival to Saty village and lunch.

15:00 Transfer to Kaindy lake (11 km off road).Kaindy 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 (is included). 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.

13:00 lunch (outdoor picnic).Free time (hiking or horse riding to Kolsay lake 2 – not included into the cost, horse riding price around 40 USD per person)

18:00 dinner. Night stay at the guesthouse.

3 Day

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

08:00 departure to Charyn canyon.

10:00 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. Free time.

12:00 Lunch

13:00 departure to Almaty.

18:00 arrival and transfer to the hotel. Endof services.

Accommodation in guesthouse on TWIN / DBL sharing basis (2 nights)
Meals: day 1 lunch and dinner, day 2 breakfast lunch and dinner, day 3 breakfast and lunch
Transport with professional driver per itinerary
English-speaking guide for all excursions
Entrance fees for all mentioned national parks (except photo and video charges)
Visa costs and processing
Photo and video charges
Alcohol + Beverages
Portages at airports and hotels
Tips and gratuities
Any personal expenses
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.