All Kazakhstan Tours &amp; Excursions in 2026 - page 13

2 Days Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes Tour via Charyn Canyon

from $359

Sayram-Ugam National park is located 70 km from Shymkent. The park is a part of the Western Tian-Shan mountain system. Also, it is included in the list of the UNESCO of World heritage sites. Sayram-Ugam is full of wild gorges and canyons, mountain lakes and rivers, peaks and glaciers. If you are lucky, you can meet a snow leopard, a bear, mountain goats and gazelles, a lot of very rare and endangered birds and amphibians. Most noteworthy – breathtaking landscapes, the availability of different trekking and horseriding options and relatively easy access makes this area a popular destination not only among locals but also foreign guests. In this national park, there are many different routes, but the most colorful is the area around the foothills of peak Sayram-Su. Mountain forests regulate water flow, enrich the air with oxygen and phytoncides. They protect against rain and spring floods, slow the melting of snows.

Trekking in Sayram-Ugam national park & Aksu canyon (2 days)

Trekking in Sayram-Ugam national park & Aksu canyon (2 days)

4.5

from $476

At 8:00 AM, a comfortable jeep or SUV will pick you up from your hotel for a 3-hour drive to Charyn Canyon, arriving around 10:30 AM. We’ll spend 2 hours exploring the Valley of Castles, admiring dramatic rock formations and taking stunning photos. Optionally, for 1,800 KZT, enjoy a safari vehicle ride along the canyon for a unique perspective. Next, we’ll drive 30 minutes to Bartogay Reservoir, spending about 1 hour among its otherworldly landscapes: mirror-like waters reflecting the sky and rugged hills creating a surreal atmosphere — perfect for unforgettable photos. Afterwards, we’ll return to Almaty, a 3.5-hour drive, arriving at your hotel around 5:30–6:00 PM. Don’t hesitate to ask your guide for photos — we’ll gladly capture your best memories from this incredible day!

Almaty Jeep Private Full Day Tour to Charyn Canyon and Bartogay

Almaty Jeep Private Full Day Tour to Charyn Canyon and Bartogay

9 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

Explore the unique landscapes of Altyn-Emel National Park with this 2-day tour from Almaty. Discover the stunning Singing Dune, where the sands sing underfoot, and hike through the picturesque Aktau Mountains. Enjoy a comfortable ride in a specially prepared off-road vehicle and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of ancient trees and breathtaking vistas. Available accommodations include traditional yurts or caravans, with meals provided upon request. This tour is perfect for adventurers and nature enthusiasts looking to experience Kazakhstan's rich landscapes. - Two-day tour including transportation from Almaty to Basshi village - Excursions to Singing Dune and Aktau Mountains with optional guide services - Comfortable accommodation in traditional yurts or caravans - All park admission fees and travel within the park included

from $350

Per group

Singing Dune and Aktau Mountains Two Day Adventure from Almaty

Singing Dune and Aktau Mountains Two Day Adventure from Almaty

This private tour of the Old City is the perfect introduction to this former USSR city and an essential element of understanding the people and culture of Kazakhstan. We'll visit several important monuments, which lay out the history of this ancient culture. Afterwards, we'll stop at The Trade House of Merchant Matvey Kubrin, now known as the Astana Supermarket, to see some beautiful architecture and enjoy a local shopping experience.

from $1,010

Per group

3 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

The Old City Tour

(3)

from $93

Horses Riding Tour to Burokovskiy Waterfall

3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $180

The private transfers ensure a smooth and stress-free journey across the Almaty Region. Guests are welcomed with a personalized meet & greet at the airport, hotel, or visitor center, with assistance for luggage. Travel in modern, air-conditioned vehicles — from spacious minivans to premium luxury cars — driven by licensed, English-speaking professionals. Every ride includes bottled water, Wi-Fi, and comfort amenities. Choose between a direct transfer for efficiency or a scenic route with photo stops to enrich your experience. Reliable, safe, and tailored to your needs, the transport service offers the perfect balance of comfort and discovery.

Almaty Region Four Seasons Journey

1 to 5 daysFree Cancellation

The Altyn-Emel National Park is a truly unique place where nature preserves its ancient mysteries. Visitors can enjoy hiking, trekking, birdwatching, exploring Saka burial mounds, and capturing unforgettable photos. The best seasons to visit are spring and autumn. Here you will discover the mysterious Singing Dune — one of the “7 New Wonders of Nature” — and the stunning Aktau Mountains, over 50 million years old. Their otherworldly landscapes will make you feel as if you’ve stepped onto another planet. Discover Kazakhstan like never before!

from $177

Aktau Mountains and Altyn Emel Private 2 Day Adventure

Aktau Mountains and Altyn Emel Private 2 Day Adventure

from $533

1-2 Days Singing dunes & Aktau mountains grouptour to Altyn Emel

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What are people saying about Kazakhstan

Jannes_J, Aug 2026

We took a 2-day tour from...

We took a 2-day tour from Almaty to Altyn Emel National Park with Kazakhstan Very Nice. It was a great tour! The guide was very friendly, spoke good English, and had a sense of humor! Communication beforehand was handled very well via WhatsApp. The tour includes a hotel pick-up. At the end of the tour, we had a different hotel, and that was absolutely no problem for the drop-off. Everything in the tour is as described! We stayed in a very well-maintained guesthouse. The food was very tasty and more than sufficient (vegetarian options are available here). The rooms had twin beds and a private bathroom. The accommodation has Wi-Fi. During our tour, we saw a small snake, a lizard, and gazelles a few times. Our guide showed us how the Singing Dune works. It was nice that we returned to the Guesthouse after the sand dune and had the opportunity to shower again. We concluded the tour with a delicious lunch at the Guesthouse before heading back to Almaty. Another huge plus: We were a small group of 4 (including the guide) in a 4x4. I highly recommend this tour! We had a great experience.

Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons Day Trip

Kenshu_N, Aug 2026

Amazing Experience, Beautiful Nature

Absolutely fantastic, it was an amazing experience. Below is some information for those considering booking, including some things I was wondering about before booking. First, you depart from the parking lot in front of the circus at 5:00 AM. City buses and the metro aren't running yet, so it's best to get to the meeting point on foot or by using Yandex Go. In my case, boarding started at 5:00 AM and departure was around 5:10 AM, but I think it's better to be there by 4:30 AM just in case. You can't charge your devices on the bus, so I recommend bringing a portable charger. Also, you'll often have to pay in cash for toilet breaks, meals, and activities like horseback riding, so it's good to have some cash on hand. Additionally, it will possibly rain, so I recommend you to bring jacket and umbrella. As for Lake Kaindy, the bus will take you as far as you can walk to. Lunch is free if you bring it yourself, but you can also use the restaurants and cafes there. The tour ended around 10:30 PM, but apparently it can be as late as 11:00 PM depending on traffic.

Kolsai Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons 2-day tour

Nora_F, Aug 2026

Highly recommend

The Kolsai Kaindy Lakes & Charyn Canyon overnight tour is a must-do while you’re in Almaty! The stops are well-spaced with rest stops every 60-90 minutes for the long portions of the drive. Day 1 we had short stops at Moon Canyon and Black Canyon, then lunch, then a couple of hours at Kolsai lake. Day 2 we had the morning at Kaindy Lake and afternoon at Charyn Canyon which was the highlight for me. At each stop there were options for every fitness level so you could ride/walk/hike as far as you liked. Zhuldyz (tour guide) and Alex (driver) were absolutely terrific. There’s a lot of driving in these two days, and Alex handled the roads very well and safely. Zhuldyz (who also went by Julie or Jule) was informative, funny, and made sure everyone had a good experience. She was very clear about the activities and what we could expect, which helped everyone get the most out of each stop. She shared lots of interesting information without overloading us with facts. And she always answered our questions with a smile.

Kolsai, Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon Small Group Tour

Garrett_W, Aug 2026

Dimesh was an excellent...

Dimesh was an excellent tour guide. This was an epic tour that crams the highlights in a single day. Other people take multiple days to see everything we covered in this one day. The canyons and lakes were incredibly beautiful. Dimesh was deeply knowledgable and shared the history and facts about the areas we visited. Our driver was good and our group was prompt. The tour had good options for people who want a more intense, all hiking experience or to use local taxis for a less strenuous experience. I went in August and it was very hot in the canyon. They provided a bottle of water but I bought extra water at rest stops along the way. The lunch was a homestyle meal in a small village in a family’s house. It was nice to experience a local family’s hospitality. The only thing I would improve upon is the air conditioning in the van. It was very hot and the A/C was not sufficient to cool the van to a comfortable temperature between stops. This was a very nice tour and I would do it again. Just be prepared for a long and rewarding tour!

Kolsai, Kaindy lakes & Charyn canyon with Yurt stay and Campfire

Francis_F, Jul 2026

This was an excellent way...

This was an excellent way to experience the lakes and canyons east of Almaty without rushing. Our guide Batyrkhan was informative and helped me get out of trouble with the park rangers! Very cool guy. He made sure everyone in the big tour group was taken care of and attended to. I'm glad I had my introduction to Kazakhstan with Kazakhstan Very Nice! :)

Almaty city tour and Medeu-Shymbulak-Koktobe-Green Bazar

NaveenNarayanan_M, Jul 2026

Shymbulak and Koktobe were beautiful

Shymbulak was the highlight of this trip. Beautiful views at the top and even in the cable car ride. We travelled in July and it was hot! The cable car ride felt long and unbearable because of the weather. Abukhair, our guide was great, and took time to show us around and despite the hot weather, his spirits were high. Medeu ice rink was closed and there was nothing much to do there other than getting a coffee. The green bazar is a good place to get some souvenirs. Koktobe had nice views of the city and the fast coaster is a must do.

Big Almaty Lake & Hot Springs by Car or Hike to the Lake

FrancisJim_R, Jun 2026

Chill and relax trip....

Chill and relax trip. Everything is hassle free. Everything is good about the trip however, I think it maybe a little short? Anyway, still a good trip. Our guide Yerkin is also knowlegeable about the place and has shared helpful information. His extra effort with the drone shots is a big plus. Big Almaty lake’s beauty is easily seen with those drone shots.

Big Almaty Lake Hike and Falcon Show Experience

Kevin_T, May 2026

Decent physical fitness...

Decent physical fitness is necessary. Beginning area of the hike can be difficult otherwise. Good morning start time avoids sun and crowds. Tour guide was very nice and friendly, and pickup was on time. There was no rush. Would’ve maybe liked to hear some background info on the area but otherwise all good!

Ancient petroglyphs of Tanbaly - UNESCO World Heritage

MH_L, Apr 2026

A Highly Recommended Tour

Mr Nursultan was my tour guide and driver, and he is exceptionally knowledgeable and professional, who, besides the tour site, provided me with insights about Kazakstan in general. We visited the petroglychs of Tanbaly and its visitor centre. It is worth the time and effort to go that far just to see these valuable yet mysterious creations. A highly recommended tour in my opinion

Treasures of Almaty lakes Kaindy and Kolsai,Charyn Canyon

Abigail_B, Apr 2026

Karina was the best tour guide!

Karina was an amazing tour guide. She is very energetic, friendly, and easy to talk to. She made sure everyone felt included and comfortable throughout the trip. She kept the group engaged, helped us take nice photos, and always reminded us of the timings so everything ran smoothly. She also shared helpful tips on what to do in Almaty, including food, places to visit, and other tours to try with Panda Tours. Her recommendations were very useful and made our trip even better. Karina is very organised, caring, and attentive. She always checked on us and made sure everyone was enjoying. You can really see that she loves what she does. I would definitely join this tour again, and I hope to have Karina as our guide next time. Highly recommended.

Small-Group Tour: Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes with Charyn Canyons

Robert_H, Mar 2026

An absolute must-do - fantastic tour

This tour was incredible! The canyons and lakes are stunning, and a must-see for anyone visiting Kazakhstan. The tour itself is brilliant - perfectly timed to fit everything in, with an amazing meal in a guest house and a very fun off-road ride in a Soviet UAZ truck that I’ll never forget. Our tour guide Serzh was informative and funny, giving us lots of interesting information about the region and Kazakhstan’s history. If you are travelling to Almaty, you should absolutely do this tour. It’s a long day (5:30am pickup, usually back by 8-10pm depending on the size of the group), but it is absolutely worth the early start. Thank you Serzh!

Private Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake with Optional Kaindy Lake tour

kathreen_s, Nov 2025

Amazing Almaty

We were very fortunate to have Erasyl as our private guide in Almaty. From early morning pickup to our return to the hotel, he took excellent care of us with his professional approach and advanced English. Erasyl impressed us with his deep knowledge of Kazakhstan's history, science, business, culture, and even politics. He shared fascinating information throughout our journey while always being respectful and mindful of cultural boundaries during our conversations. Erasyl went above and beyond during our visits to Lake Kaindy and Lake Kolsay. When I struggled with walking in these areas, he provided helpful assistance that made me feel comfortable and supported. His hard work, helpful nature, and genuine care made our experience truly special. Erasyl is a wonderful ambassador for his beautiful country Kazakhstan, and we hope he continues to share his knowledge and passion with more visitors in the future.