TOUR
THE
TIAN SHAN
JEWEL
2 day tour with an opportunity to visit 3 unique places at once: Charyn canyon, Kolsay lake and Kaindy lake.
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2 days duration
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665 km route
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3 locations
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60 000₸ price
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year-round seasonality
Tour locations
- Charyn canyon
- Black canyon
- Kolsay lake
- Kaindy lake
TOUR
The
Tian Shan
Jewel
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Charyn canyon – often referred to as the younger sibling of the Grand Canyon, was formed during the Paleogene epoch due to a fracture in Earth’s crust. Located in the foothills of the Tian Shan ,200 km away from Almaty, Charyn Canyon is over 12 million years old, and stretches more than 150 km along thw Charyn River, which is 360 km long. The most popular spot among tourists is the Valley of Castles, where the sheer cliffs, reaching heights of 150 to 300 meters, mesmerize all who visit.
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Kolsay Lakes consist of three lakes: Kolsai 1 (Saty) at 1,000 meters, Kolsai 2 (Myngzhgaly) at 2,500 meters and Kolsai (Upper Kolsai) at 2,700 meters above sea level. They are located in the Northern Tian Shan within Kolsai Gorge, connecting Kunghey Alatau and Zailiyskiy Alatau ranges. Situated 330 km from ALmaty and just 10 km north of the border with Kyrgyzstan, the lakes are surrounded by mountains covered in the coniferous forests of Tian Shan spruce. The depth of Kolsai lake reaches up to 80 meters and the water temperature does not exceed 10 degrees Celsius during the hot season. Rainbow trout inhabit the lake.
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Lake Kayindy , named after the nearby birch grove Kayin, was formed in 1911 after the Kemin earthquake. Its current appearance, however, was shaped only in the late 1980s after a severe flood. The lake, 400 meters long, is situated among coniferous forests in a gorge of the Kunghey Alatau at an altitude of 1,667 meters above sea level. The lake's depth is less than 30 meters and varies with the weather. A unique feature of Lake Kayindy is its submerged spruces, which have preserved their original appearance due to the low water temperature
DETAILED TOUR PROGRAM
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FIRST DAY:
Departure from Almaty
- - Charyn Canyon Valley of Castles (Trekking)
- - Kaindy Lake
- - Saty Village (Dinner, overnight stay)
- -Departure from Almaty (in the morning), to Charyn Canyon (220 km, approximately 3 hours)
- -Arrival at Charyn Canyon, excursion-trekking (3-5 km, 2.5 hours)
- -Departure to Saty Village (guest house) (100 km, approximately 1.5 hours), lunch
- -Departure to Saty Village (guest house) (100 km, approximately 1.5 hours), lunch
- -Departure to Kaindy Lake (15 km, approximately 40 minutes), excursion-trekking 2-4 km (3 hours)
- -Departure to Saty Village (15 km, approximately 40 minutes), sunset on the mountain top, dinner-free time
Distance: 350 kmTotal time: 6 hours -
SECOND DAY:
Saty Village (Breakfast) - Kolsai Lake - Saty Village (Lunch) - Black Canyon
- - Departure to Almaty
- -Breakfast in Saty (guest house)
- -Departure to Kolsai Lake (15 km, approximately 20 minutes)
- -Arrival at Kolsai Lake, excursion-trekking (2-6 km, 3 hours)
- -Departure to Saty Village (guest house) (15 km, approximately 20 minutes), lunch
- -Departure to the Black Canyon viewpoint (60 km, approximately 50 minutes)
- -Departure to Almaty (220 km, approximately 3 hours), the driver will drop you off at any point in the city.
Distance: 315 kmTotal time: 7 hours -
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Availability: year-round (best during April-October)
Length of the road on the first day: 350 km
Total time: 6 hoursLength of the road on the second day: 315 km
Total time: 7 hours -
EXAMPLES OF INDIVIDUAL TOURS:
The route can be changed or modified according to your wishes; if you dream of seeing a sight not listed in this program, please contact the tour organizers - we will definitely try to address this request and inform you about all possible options.
Examples of options: On the 1st day, in addition to or instead of the Valley of Castles, you can see other canyons such as the Moon Canyon, Bestamak, or Temerlik. On the 2nd day, you can go to the second Kolsay Lake on horseback or on foot. Instead of a guesthouse, you can stay overnight in tents or a hotel near Kolsay Lake.
TOUR PRICE
- Guide-driver
- Transfer
- Drone video
- Meals
- Water
- Accommodation
- National park tickets
Not included: alcohol, horse riding, boating and other additional costs not indicated in the tour.
Price
- 1 tourist - 260 000₸ / per pax
- 2 tourists - 152 500₸ / per pax
- 3 tourists - 117 000₸ / per pax
- 4 tourists - 100 000₸ / per pax
- 5 tourists - 88 000₸ / per pax
- 6 tourists - 60 000₸ / per pax
Included in the price:
- guide-driver
- transfer
- drone video
- accommodation in guest houses
- 3 meals
- water
- national park tickets
NOT INCLUDED:
- alcohol
- horse riding
- boating
- additional costs not indicated in the tour
WHAT TO BRING?
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Comfortable shoes
Hiking shoes/boots or any other comfortable shoes.
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Comfortable and warm clothing
Do not forget that the temperature in the mountains can drop significantly and it can also rain. So make sure to bring warm, comfortable clothing that does not restrict movement (preferably fleece) and a raincoat.
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Sunscreen
The sun is particularly intense in the mountains, so it’s essential to bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
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Water and snacks
Food and water are provided but you can also bring your own for your comfort.
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Insect repellent
Insect bites can sometimes cause allergic reactions so it’s essential to bring insect repellents on your trip.
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Good mood
Put all your worries aside and just enjoy the nature!
ROUTE ON THE MAP
CREATE YOUR OWN
INDIVIDUAL TOUR
In case if you want to build your own
itinerary, please use our planner
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- Comfortable 4х4 SUV trucks
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Исследуй красоту Центральной Азии с максимальным комфортом
Если вы мечтаете посмотреть достопримечательность, не указанную в наших программах, обращайтесь к организаторам тура - мы обязательно постараемся решить этот вопрос и расскажем Вам о всех возможных опциях.