★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
One-Day Tour · Lakes
Tour to Kolsai and Kaindy from Almaty
4.9 · 24 reviews
In one day you will see two pearl lakes of the Kungei Alatau — Kolsai and Kaindy. Turquoise water, mountain slopes, and a submerged forest create breathtaking landscapes.
WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration13 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $67/person
Program
Hourly itinerary for the Kolsai and Kaindy tour
06:30
Meeting and departure from Almaty
We meet in the city center, board a comfortable minibus, and hit the road.
11:00
Arrival at Lake Kaindy
Hike down to the lake, where turquoise water and submerged spruce trunks await. Time for photos and a walk.
12:00
Transfer to Lake Kolsai
Short drive followed by a walk to the first Kolsai lake. Mountains reflect in the mirror-like surface.
13:00
Lunch in nature
Picnic with hot tea and sandwiches on the lake shore. Enjoy the silence and views.
13:45
Free time at the lake
You can stroll along the shore, climb to the observation deck, or simply relax.
14:30
Departure back to Almaty
We gather and head back to the city. A photo stop at the pass along the way.
19:30
Arrival in Almaty
Estimated return time. Drop-off in the city center.
What's included
What is included in the cost of the Kolsai and Kaindy tour
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back in a comfortable car
- Services of a professional guide-driver
- Environmental fees and permits
- Drinking water in the car
- Picnic arrangement (tea, snacks)
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, additional services)
- Accident insurance (recommended)
- Lunch at a cafe (optional, you can bring your own)
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers or trekking boots)
- Warm jacket or windbreaker (mountain weather is changeable)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Water bottle (1-1.5 L)
- Camera or phone for photos
Team
Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty
Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.
★5
★4.52Alexander Пашкин
Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу
★4.74Andrey Шевелёв
Driver-guide
★4.27Анжелика Чвыкова
Гид-фотограф
★4.27Ильяс Дарбеков
Гид-переводчик
★4.55Мадина Данина
Организатор туров
★4.49Сергей Бабичев
Personal guide-водитель
Reviews
Reviews of the tour to Kolsai and Kaindy
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Azamat U.
Yandex ·
★★★★★The nature is beautiful. Many thanks. The guide helped. But the road was long
Sveta L.
Yandex ·
★★★★★I spent a long time choosing between different tours. I'm glad I chose this one. The guide and manager created a comfortable atmosphere. I recommend it to everyone
Aliya K.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I bought the tour as a gift for my mom for the May holidays. We went together, I was a bit worried about how she would handle the road. But everything went great: mom went down to Kaindy briskly, and at Kolsai we stood by the water for a long time, admiring the mountains. The guide was very attentive, helped on difficult sections, answered all questions. Mom still recalls the turquoise water and says it was the best gift.
Marina F.
Our website ·
★★★★★We decided to celebrate a birthday on this tour. No regrets. Madina set up a picnic by the shore. Unforgettable.
Alisher S.
Google ·
★★★★★Ozeler korkem. Mikroavtobus zhaksy. Mzh kupty. Tek katar boldy. Birak zhaksi otkizdik. Rahmet Aleksandrdan komek
Arman G.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Kolsaj men Kaindy — ote korkem. Mikroavtobus zhaky, joldashy boldy. Tek jolda kop silkindi, birak okasy zhok
Maxim I.
Our website ·
★★★★★Vse kruto. Ochen krasivye ozera. Voditel master. Rekomenduyu etot tour. No nado brat s soboi yedu
Vitaliy S.
Our website ·
★★★★★We had long wanted to get out of the city with the family, and the kids' holidays came just in time. We chose this tour to see two lakes in one day. We really liked it, especially the descent to Kaindy — the water is an extraordinary color. The guide suggested the best spots for photos, and we got great shots. A small downside — Kaindy was crowded, we wanted more privacy. But overall it was super, the kids are thrilled. On the way back we stopped at the pass and took beautiful pictures.
Tatyana O.
Google ·
★★★★★My friend and I went. We were blown away. The only downside was the limited time. We would have liked to stay longer at the lakes. But for one day, it's fine.
Marat B.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Chose this tour because of reviews. Ilyas explained everything clearly, the route was comfortable. Lakes like in a picture, I recommend.
Natalya Kh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went with colleagues to unwind after a busy week. We really liked it! The lakes are like in a fairy tale, especially Kaindy with its flooded forest. The guide told legends, it was interesting to listen. On the way we stopped at the pass and took photos as a keepsake. True, the road is mountainous, I got a bit carsick, but the views are worth it. I recommend it to everyone who wants to see something unusual in one day.
Dina R.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had long dreamed of seeing these lakes. The tour met expectations. A picnic with a view of Kolsai — unforgettable. Aleksandr, the senior guide, is a professional, the mountain roads are not easy
Lyazzat M.
Google ·
★★★★★Liked the tour. The lakes are incredibly beautiful. But the road was dusty the whole way. Aleksandr was attentive.
Sergey P.
Our website ·
★★★★★I'm happy with the tour. The road is long but the views are worth it. I recommend bringing snacks and water. The organization was top-notch.
Bakhyt N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★My wife and I went on our day off, my wife loves mountains and lakes. The places are very beautiful, especially Kaindy — the color of the water is amazing, the pine trees are flooded. We walked along the shore of Kolsai, a wonderful view. The guide told us well, introduced us to the history of the lakes. But the road is long, we left early in the morning and returned towards evening, we got tired. Still, the impression is amazing, I recommend it to others too.
Aina K.
Our website ·
★★★★★Bought the tour spontaneously, wanted to get out of the city. The lakes are amazing, especially Kaindy with its flooded firs. Only the road is very bumpy, all day on the move — a bit tough
Pavel N.
Our website ·
★★★★★Everything is excellent. Left on time, arrived without adventures. Aleksandr, the senior guide, is great. The lakes are super. I recommend
Timur A.
Our website ·
★★★★★We left a bit later because one tourist was late, but we still managed to see everything. The lakes are beautiful, too bad we didn't have much time. But for a day trip, it's okay.
Olga V.
Our website ·
★★★★★The tour is great but very tiring. Left at 6 am, arrived at half past seven in the evening. But we saw all the beauties. Aleksandr led us along secret trails
Irina P.
Our website ·
★★★★★We enjoyed the tour. But they could have provided a proper meal. Sandwiches with tea is not lunch. Otherwise, everything was good.
Ruslan M.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Just top. Didn't expect the water in Kaindy to be so turquoise. The minibus is cool, comfortable. The only thing — we stood in line at the viewpoint for 20 minutes
Anna E.
Our website ·
★★★★★I want to say thanks to Madina. She's a very warm-hearted person. The tour was amazing. We'll definitely come back.
Yelena D.
Our website ·
★★★★★This is my second time with this company, last time we went to Charyn. As always, everything is precise, the car is comfortable, the guide picked convenient seats in the cabin so you don't get carsick. The lakes are magnificent, the water is clear, the mountains are majestic. This time we were less lucky with the weather — there was a strong wind at Kaindy, we had to dress warmer. The only downside — lunch could have been more filling, the sandwiches weren't enough. But otherwise a great trip, we'll come back again.
Asiya T.
Our website ·
★★★★★Men bul tury tanymdarga usynamyz. Ote korkem tabigat. Gid kazaktasha aityp bergen. Jalgys kemshiligi — tabaktar az boldy
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the tour to Kolsai and Kaindy
We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.
Ask a questionThere are walking sections in two places: the descent to Kaindy Lake and the walk to the first Kolsai Lake, plus free time by the water when you can stroll along the shore or go up to the viewpoint. This is not sports trekking, but calm walks at your own pace with stops for photos. If you want to walk less, the guide will suggest where to wait by the car and take it easy.
You need comfortable, broken-in footwear — sneakers or trekking boots, because you will be walking on dirt and stones. A warm jacket or windbreaker is a must: the weather in the mountains is changeable, even if it is warm in Almaty. Sunglasses and sunscreen will also come in handy, water for the walk, and a phone or camera for photos.
Yes, this tour is private: you travel with your own group, without being placed with other tourists. Departure is daily, pickup time on request, so we will choose a convenient start from Almaty for your group. Tell us the date and how many people you are on WhatsApp — we will confirm the vehicle and guide.
Pickup and departure from Almaty at 06:30, meeting in the city center. We return to the city at approximately 19:30, drop-off also in the center. On the way there will be a stop at the pass for photos, so the day is long — about 13 hours.
There are no special age restrictions on this tour, but the day is long: an early departure, transfers between two lakes, and walks on dirt paths at Kaindy and Kolsai. With children and elderly parents it will be more comfortable if they handle the road well and are ready to walk at a calm pace with stops. Write to us on WhatsApp with who is going and for which date — we will advise how best to plan the day.
The tour price is $67 per person, and it already includes the road from Almaty and back, a guide-driver, ecological fees and permits, water in the vehicle, and a picnic with tea and snacks. Separately, there are only personal expenses, optional insurance, and lunch at a cafe if you want something hot. Booking is without prepayment: you write to us on WhatsApp with the date and number of guests, and you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card, or in cash; you can cancel the booking for free.
