3 day snorkeling tour to Kaindy and Kolsay and Big Almaty lakes

^from$ 800

Duration	3 days
Category	ADVENTURE
Season	May - September

During this 3 day tour you will visit mysterious sunken forest in Lake Kaindy, pearl of Northern Tien-Shan - Kolsay lakes and Big Almaty lake - one of the most picturesque lakes in Trans-Ili Alatau.

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

Kolsai kolderi national park KAZAKHSTAN

Trip to Kaindy lake (270 km from Almaty)

07:00 departure to Kaindy lake.

11:00 arrival to Saty village, check in at the guesthouse. Lunch. Transfer to Kaindy lake (11 km off road).

13:30 Kaindy 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. Snorkeling. Guided hiking and walking around lake. Free time.

18:00 return to Saty village dinner. Night stay at the guesthouse (Saty village).

2 Day

Kolsai kolderi national park KAZAKHSTAN

Breakfast at the guesthouse.

09:00 transfer to Kolsay lake1. Kolsay Lakes - is a name for a cascade of three lakes in Kungeyalatu ridge. These lakes are located at heights 2250 and 2700 meters above sea level. Kolsay Lakes are distinguished by the unique mountain watershed consisting of three natural zones and amazing variety of rare plants and animals.

Snorkeling on Kolsay lake 1.

12:00 lunch (outdoor picnic). 1,5-2 hours horse riding (included into the cost) to Kolsay lake 2. Kolsay lake 2 is at an altitude of 2252 m above the sea level. Crustal clear emerald water of lakes is frech and tight the content of sodium sulfate. Water temperature is 4-10 degrees. Snorkeling on Kolsay lake 2.

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

3 Day

Charyn canyon &Almaarasan gorge KAZAKHSTAN

Breakfast at the guesthouse. Trip 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

11:00 departure to Big Almaty lake

14:00 arrival 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. The Big Almaty lake was formed as a result of movement of an ancient glacier. Thanks to high-mountain location the water in the lake is always cool - even in July the water temperature does not exceed 10 degrees.

The lake is a source of potable water for Almaty city that is why the access of tourists to the lake is limited. The tour route lies higher the Big Almaty lake to the altitude of 3300 meters above sea level, where scientific premises for astronomical and space researches have settled down. Here, at the basis of the Big Almaty peak, you can enjoy a fascinating panorama of mountains and the Big Almaty lake, surrounded by the picturesque mountain peaks covered with Tian-Shan fir-tree, aspen and juniper.Short trekking to Cosmo station. Free time.

Departure to the Sunkar

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.

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. The birds that stay at the center have been rescued and cannot be released anymore into the wild, they would not survive.

17:00 Birds of prey show at rear birds farm «Sunkar».

18:00 dinner and transfer to the hotel. End of services

Accommodation in guesthouse on TWIN / DBL sharing basis (1 night)
Permission of national park (snorkeling)
Meals: day 1: lunch and dinner, day 2: breakfast, lunch and dinner, day 3: breakfast and lunch.
English-speaking guide
Private transport with professional driver (jeep)
Entrance fees for all mentioned national parks (except photo and video charges)
Water: 2L per person per day
Photo and video charges
Snorkeling equipment including: semi dry suit (neoprene) 7mm, gloves 5mm, socks 7-9 mm, flippers, mask, tube, weights (1-4 kg).
Alcohol + Beverages
Portages at airports and hotels
Tips and gratuities
Any personal expenses and any services not included in the above itinerary
Horse riding (day 2 from Kolsay lake 1 to Kolsay lake 2)

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.