Between canyons and lakes 3 days
Rocky formations sculpted by time to turquoise waters where ancient spruces emerge.
Duration
3 days
The spirit of travel
This 2-day circuit takes you from Almaty to major natural sites in the region. You discover the Charyn canyon and its valley of castles, then you reach the village of Saty, near the Kolsay lakes, with a passage through the black canyon. The next day, you head to Kaindy lake for a walk before returning to Almaty, with the possibility of stopping at a Uyghur village and its small market.
The stages of your journey
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Charyn, Saty and Black Canyon
In the morning, you meet your guide-driver (or your guide and driver), then you head towards the Charyn Canyon and its castle valley. On site, a walk is planned, lasting between 1 h 30 and 3 h.
You then continue your itinerary towards the village of Saty, located near the Kolsay lakes. Along the way, you will also see the black canyon.
Dinner and night in a guesthouse.
Lake Kaindy
Saty → Kaindy Lake
After breakfast, you head towards Lake Kaindy, where trees have remained standing in the middle since 1911. A walk is planned on site, with an estimated duration between 2 and 3 hours.
Kaindy Lake → Almaty
After returning to the village and lunch, you continue driving towards Almaty. Along the way, a stop is possible in a Uyghur village and its small market.
You arrive in Almaty in the late afternoon or evening.
Price per person
Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.
This trip can be tailored to your preferences
This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.
Not included
- Everything that is not mentioned in the program
- Stop at the Uyghur village and its small market (mentioned as "possible")
Included
- English-speaking guide-driver (or guide and driver)
- Planned road routes in the program
- Planned walks in Charyn Canyon (Valley of Castles) and Lake Kaindy
- Day 1 Dinner
- Night of Day 1 in a guesthouse
- Breakfast on Day 2
- Lunch on Day 2
Practical Information
Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.
The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.
See our specific terms of sale for full details.
In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:
- Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
- Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
- Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total
We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.
The information below concerns travelers who are nationals of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and Canada traveling to Kazakhstan for a tourist stay. Entry rules may change, so we recommend verifying this information with the official authorities before your departure.
Passport
To enter Kazakhstan, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry into the country and must have at least one blank page for immigration stamps.
The document must be in good condition (no damaged, torn, or altered pages).
Visa-exempt tourist stay
Nationals of the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and Canada benefit from a visa exemption for tourist stays in Kazakhstan.
This exemption allows a stay of up to 30 days per entry into the territory. The total duration of stays must generally not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period. Any stay exceeding this duration requires obtaining a visa from the Kazakhstan embassy or consulate before departure.
The authorities may also request:
an exit ticket from the territory (return flight or onward connection),
proof of sufficient financial resources for the duration of your stay,
a confirmation of accommodation booking.
Registration with local authorities
Any traveler staying in Kazakhstan must register with the local authorities within three business days following arrival.
This registration is generally completed automatically by the hotel or accommodation establishment. In the case of staying with a private individual or in a private rental, the process must be carried out by the host with the competent migration office or via the Kazakh immigration services online portal.
It is advisable to keep proof of registration throughout your stay, as this may be requested when crossing the border when leaving the territory.
Health and vaccinations
No vaccine is mandatory to enter Kazakhstan from the EEA, Switzerland, or Canada. However, it is recommended to ensure that routine vaccinations are up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles).
Depending on the regions visited and the season, additional precautions may be advised, particularly against:
hepatitis A and hepatitis B,
rabies for stays in rural or remote areas,
tick-borne encephalitis for hikers and travelers in wooded areas.
Consult a doctor or international vaccination center several weeks before your departure for personalized advice.
Traveling with children
Minors must have their own valid passport covering the duration of the stay.
In some European countries, when a minor travels without one of their parents, an authorization to leave the territory may be required according to the regulations of the country of residence.
Other nationalities
Entry conditions may vary depending on nationality. Concerned travelers should inquire with the Kazakhstan embassy or consulate in their country of residence.
To participate in our trips, it is strongly recommended to be insured for emergency repatriation and medical expenses abroad.
Your local agency encourages you to review the specific policy developed with our partner CHAPKA ASSURANCES and AXA ASSISTANCE.
To subscribe to insurance, learn about coverage and rates, follow the link below.
CAP EXPLORER: The complete insurance solution designed for a worry-free trip!
Choose the plan that suits you best:
Explorer'Multirisque
Explorer'Annulation
Explorer'Assistance
Explorer'Complementary Credit Card Coverage
Specific to our trips, we strongly recommend subscribing to them.
If you choose to subscribe to one of these plans, the policy detailing all coverage and claims procedures is available on the insurer's website.
Your local agency will be aware of it, but only the participant is responsible for complying with claims notification procedures. The participant must therefore keep this policy with them throughout their trip.
Chapka — Cap Explorer
Our insurance partnerTravel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.
Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insuranceFrequently asked questions
To stay in Kazakhstan, a valid passport for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry is required. A visa exemption exists for short-term stays. For longer stays, a visa must be obtained from the Kazakhstani consulate. Check with the Kazakhstani consular authorities for the conditions applicable to your nationality before booking your trip.
Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.
You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.
For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 130 and 210 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transfers and English-speaking guide. International flights (500-900 euros return) are additional. Kazakhstan offers stunning landscapes and warm hospitality.
Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.
Absolutely. We adapt every itinerary to our travelers' profiles. For families, we prioritize relaxed paces, family-friendly accommodations, educational and entertaining activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our English-speaking local guides know how to capture children's attention with age-appropriate anecdotes.
It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You refine every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with complete peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.
In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.
Payment is generally made in two installments.
Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) guarantee which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on the ground throughout your stay.
Let's talk about your next trip to Kazakhstan
Founder & Director, based in Alamaty
Kazakhstan is a land you carry within you: in the silence of the steppes, the strength of the mountains and the generosity of those who live there. Sharing it is sharing a part of my story.
— Atrau
