15 Tours & Day Trips in Kazakhstan to Build a Day Around

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small-Group Tour - Charyn Canyon and the Valley of the Castles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 642 reviews · from $58Our pick

Review of Almaty’s $58 small-group tour to Charyn Canyon, Kaindy and Kolsai Lakes, with timing, transport, hikes, lunch and practical tips.

“The guides were informative and masters at keeping our group engaged and on time. There was warmth in their interactions with guests. The lunch was amazing! You could see the care they took to provide a lovely meal for all participants, meat eaters and vegetarians as well. Our guide Narjan was very kind, spoke English without hesitation. The views were amazing. The hikes were challenging but well worthwhile! I highly recommend this tour!”

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2-Day Experiences, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Day Trips, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty: Kolsai Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyons 2-Day Tour

2.Kolsai Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyons 2-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 432 reviews · 2 days · from $130

Review of Almaty’s 2-day Kolsai, Kaindy and Charyn tour, with yurts, Kazakh meals, canyon walks, transport tips and honest value advice.

“I booked this trip for my mom & dad for their trip in Kazakhstan. They were sooo happy, they really had a pleasant trip with Naz! My mom said Naz is very nice, knowledgeable, and ensure every one on time. They really recommend this tour! 🥰✨”

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2-Day Experiences, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Day Trips, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour

3.Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 392 reviews · from $130

Review of a 2-day Almaty tour to Kolsai, Kaindy, Charyn, Black and Moon Canyons, with yurts, meals, guides and practical tips.

“The trip was excellent with ample time given to explore. The below are the details 1. The location was beautiful 2. The food provided was below average both for lunch as well as night dinner. The quantity was definitely not enough posy a hike day 3. The washroom was shared and it was just one toilet and one batharea for anyone staying in yurt 4. The breakfast also was hardly anything.. an early breakfast with no proper items 5. The stay did provide bonfire and we could sit around it as long as we wanted, The host ensured to refill The logs 6. The breaks given during the travel also…”

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Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Day Trips, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Tour (lunch included)

4.Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Tour (lunch included)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 292 reviews · from $57

Review of Almaty’s Kolsai, Kaindy, and Charyn day tour, with transport, lunch, hiking, costs, timing, and practical booking advice.

“I had an incredible experience on the one-day tour to Kolsay Lake, Kaindy Lake, Charyn Canyon, and Black Canyon in Kazakhstan. Our guide, Mr. Kuansyh, was exceptional—both professional and incredibly hospitable, with a great sense of humor that kept the day fun and engaging. The pickup was punctual, and everything was well-organized, allowing us to fully enjoy each destination without any stress. The natural beauty of the lakes and canyons was simply breathtaking, and Mr. Kuansyh’s knowledge and stories made the experience even more memorable. The highlight, however, was the food. The meal provided felt like a home-cooked feast, with a wonderful spread of local dishes that were both delicio...”

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Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Day Trips, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyon Day Tour

5.Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyon Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 198 reviews · 17 hours · from $57

See Charyn, Black and Moon Canyons, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes in one long Almaty day, with local lunch and mountain scenery for $57.

“Beautiful places and great guide Aidar, who speak amazing English and did amazing job not only showing us around be he also explained everything in details.”

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2-Day Experiences, Almaty Tours, Charyn Canyon Day Trips, Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty: 2-Day Tour to Kolsai-Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon

6.2-Day Tour to Kolsai-Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 196 reviews · 2 days · from $105

Review of Almaty’s 2-day Kolsai, Kaindy and Charyn Canyon tour, with UAZ rides, village homestay, meals, costs and practical tips.

“Zhanna made my first solo trip very memorable, from the arranngement of the tour until the end, she's very accomodating and would always make sure that you enjoyed the trip and every destination you've visited. Joinme asia is highly recommended. Thank you again 🙏”

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Almaty Tours, City Tours, Medeu Shymbulak and Kok-Tobe, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty: City tour and Medeu, Shymbulak and Kok-Tobe

7.City tour and Medeu, Shymbulak and Kok-Tobe

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 163 reviews · 11 hours · from $49

Explore Almaty’s mountain resorts, markets, cathedral, and city views on an 11-hour guided tour priced at $49.

“Zhibek is really good tour guide, well spoken and great info, very friendly and engaging with the tourist.”

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Almaty Tours, Issyk Lake and Turgen Gorge, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty: Lake Issyk with Turgen Waterfall Day Tour

8.Lake Issyk with Turgen Waterfall Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 127 reviews · 9 hours · from $32Best value

Review of Almaty’s Lake Issyk and Turgen Waterfall tour, with practical advice on hikes, transport, lunch, guides, price, and what to expect.

“Loved the trip. Shak, our guide made it very interesting and comfortable all through. A gentle and helpful guide. Catered to everyones needs. Thank you very much. Location is beautiful beyond words.”

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Almaty Tours, Big Almaty Lake, City Tours, Private Drivers, Tour Reviews, Tours

Almaty City: Big Almaty Lake Roundtrip Transfer and Tour

9.Big Almaty Lake Roundtrip Transfer and Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 110 reviews · 4 hours · from $69

Ride from Almaty to Big Almaty Lake for mountain views, local stories, photo stops, and an easy no-hike visit in four hours.

“The trip was absolutely wonderful! Everything was perfectly on time, and the view of the lake was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. I especially recommend it to people who may not be able to go hiking. On top of that, my tour guide was incredibly kind and helpful. We also got to see a charming waterfall and an apple yard. Everything turned out even better than I expected - just perfect! A special thank you to Dias for being such an amazing guide 😊”

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Almaty Tours, Big Almaty Lake, Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours

Big Almaty Lake Tour with Optional Hike

10.Big Almaty Lake Tour with Optional Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 109 reviews · from $69

Big Almaty Lake tour review with hiking or car access, mountain views, guide tips, pricing, safety, and practical advice for Almaty visitors.

“Dmitriy is an extremely knowledgeable guide, giving us in depth history of Kazakhstan on the journey to the mountains. He also explained how the mountain lakes etc were formed which was very interesting. The hike itself was amazing. It was challenging, but that made the view at the Big Almaty Lake even better. It truly is a stunning lake and the mountain views all through the hike are breathtaking. I would fully recommend this to anyone who is capable. Make sure to wear shoes with good grip👍 One of the best experiences of my life.”

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Astana Tours, City Tours, Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Astana City Tour: Private Full Day with Lunch and Comfort Pickup

11.Astana City Tour: Private Full Day with Lunch and Comfort Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · from $149

Review of Astana’s private full-day tour, covering major landmarks, local lunch, private transport, museum time, and optional Kazakh wine tasting.

“The tour was comprehensive and offered a comfortable experience to someone travelling for the first time to Astana. There were many sights in the city and this tour had allowed me to cover as many places as possible within a short span Read more”

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Astana Tours, City Tours, Evening Experiences, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours

Astana City Tour: Explore Night City with a Certified Guide

12.Astana City Tour: Explore Night City with a Certified Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · 4 hours · from $49

See Astana glowing after dark on a four-hour private guided tour with hotel pickup, major landmarks, local history, and comfortable transport.

“This was the best tour I have ever been on. The guide was incredibly kind and extremely knowledgeable, we asked hundreds of questions and he knew the answer to every single one. The tour combines driving around the city with walking stops, allowing you to truly experience Astana from different perspectives. We enjoyed it so much that we immediately booked an additional tour to visit the old part of the city. After last tour, he even drove us to the airport. The guide is Kazakh and truly understands his country — its success, identity, and challenges. He speaks about it honestly and openly, which made the experience even more valuable.…”

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Almaty Tours, Issyk Lake and Turgen Gorge, Tour Reviews, Tours

Lake Issyk with Turgen (Bear) Waterfall tour

13.Lake Issyk with Turgen (Bear) Waterfall tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $32

Review of the Lake Issyk and Turgen Bear Waterfall tour from Almaty, covering hikes, scenery, lunch, transport, price, and practical tips.

“An awesome day trip to a very beautiful lake. The lake is emerald in colour like in the pictures and it’s very quiet with not many tourists around. A true hidden gem! My tour guide Azamat speaks excellent English and explains things in great detail. He got us water and chocolate too, very hospitable.”

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Astana Tours, Burabay National Park, Lunch Experiences, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Astana: Burabay Oasis Private Tour+ Lunch+ Pickup+ Bonus Activity

14.Burabay Oasis Private Tour+ Lunch+ Pickup+ Bonus Activity

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · from $249

Review of Astana’s private Burabay tour, with Bolektau views, forest lunch, lake boating, horseback riding, pickup, and practical tips.

“Had an amazing trip to Burabay National Park with Madi in June 2024. He was really helpful, friendly, and informative and I learned so much about this beautiful national park and Kazakhstan in general and he really gave me a huge amount of cRead more”

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Almaty Tours, Altyn-Emel and the Singing Dune, Tour Reviews, Tours

Singing dunes & Aktau mountains group tour to Altyn Emel

15.Singing dunes & Aktau mountains group tour to Altyn Emel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $250

Review of Altyn Emel’s Aktau Mountains, Katutau volcanoes and Singing Dunes tour from Almaty, with timings, value, tips and practical advice.

“Kassym is a definitely friendly and informative guides. The hiking journey is not tiring due to great conversation. Nice lunch at the local guest house is definitely a warm and exciting experience.”

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