The 15 Best 2-Day Experiences in Kazakhstan

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

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

Spend two days exploring Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Charyn, Black, and Moon Canyons with an English or Russian-speaking guide such as Naz, Luba, Amal, or Zhenis. Expect long drives, home-cooked Kazakh meals, a Soviet van ride to Kaindy, shared yurt lodging, bonfires, and optional horse riding or boating.

“Our guide Zhenis was so friendly and caring.I felt I had enough time at each of the places to explore. The food was great. Thanks to our driver Ruslan too pick up/drop off was punctual.I would highly recommend!”

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

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

Travel from Almaty to Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes, Black and Moon Canyons, and Charyn Canyon on a 2-day group tour. Expect long drives, a Soviet off-road van, optional horse riding or boating, local meals, and a yurt stay with a bonfire. Guides such as Nazerke, Dana, Azamat, and Aigerim have led recent departures.

“The tour started early as there was a large distance to travel to reach the Black and Yellow Canyons, have lunch and then visit Kolsai Lake before stopping at a village for dinner and to stay overnight. The guide and driver provided stops and ample time at each destination. The choir of accommodation was either a hotel room (boring & at extra cost) or a (heated) Yurt tent (with shared bathroom nearby). Wifi, towel and electricity was included much to my surprise. Day 2 was also busy with a visit to Kaindy lake (smaller than Kolsai) and Charyn Canyon. At both locations we could walk to see more of the…”

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

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

Joinme Asia takes you from Almaty to Kaindy and Kolsai lakes, Black and Moon canyons, and Charyn’s Valley of Castles. You’ll ride a Soviet UAZ to Kaindy, sleep in a Saty village guesthouse, eat home-cooked meals, and join a bonfire. Guides such as Aya, Daniel, Rollan, and Symbat are known for clear English and lively group management.

“The trip was very well planned. Tomi, the guide, was absolutely awesome. Had a great deal of fun. Honestly, no complaints. 10/10 overall”

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4.2-Day Private Tour – The Kolsai Lake & Kaindy (Sunken forest) via Charyn canyon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $390

Travel from Almaty in a private SUV with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Charyn Canyon, Zhalanash Valley, Kolsai Lake, and Kaindy Lake. The tour is limited to five people and includes a guest-house night, park admissions, pickup, and infant seats. Guides such as Victor, Margu, Dmitry, and Evgeny have led past departures.

“I recently attended a two-day tour guided by a professional and kind driver, Victor (apologies if I've misspelled the name), and an exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable guide, Margu. We are grateful for their hard work and excellent Read more”

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5.Charyn, Kolsay and Kaindy 2-Day Tour with Mount View Stay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 42 reviews · 2 days · from $150

Travel from Almaty to Charyn Canyon, Black Canyon, Kolsai Lake, and Kaindy Lake with a small group of up to 13 people. Guides such as Aika, Azamat, and Aigerim lead the trip in English, Kazakh, or Russian. Expect local food, a village guesthouse, a Soviet van ride, photo stops, and long but rewarding road journeys.

“We loved every second of it! Aika was a great guide who takes the best instagramable pictures ever! She knows a lot about the region, the people and is overall just a pleasant person. Also the group was perfect. You get to know new people, new culture it's just a great experience.”

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6.Charyn, Kolsay&Kaiyndy Lakes 2days tour with Mount View Stay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · from $135

Travel from Almaty to Moon Canyon, Black Canyon, Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, and Charyn Canyon over two days. Guides such as Aika and Fariza lead small groups of up to 15, with meals, park fees, bottled water, mountain-view lodging, and a Soviet van to Kaindy included.

“I loved this tour. The stops were well planned out and the meals were excellent. The guest house was clean and quiet. I am glad I chose the two day tour as it allowed enough time at each site and didn't feel rushed. The driver was safe and eRead more”

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7.Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes + Charyn Canyon private 2-day tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · from $375

Travel from Almaty with a private guide and driver to Charyn Canyon, Kolsai Lake, and Kaindy Lake. You get hotel pickup, breakfast, lodging, and the off-road ride to Kaindy. Guides such as Nursultan, Minara, Bahtiar, and Chingiz have led this trip, with flexible pacing for families and mixed abilities.

“we are absolutely happy with this tour. our guide chingiz was incredibly nice, accommodating and well prepared for the trip. we enjoyed every second of the tour.”

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8.Kolsai, Kaindy lakes and Charyn canyons 2 days small group tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · from $140

Spend two full days seeing Kazakhstan’s Charyn Canyon, Black and Yellow canyons, Kolsai Lake and the famous sunken forest of Kaindy Lake. The small group is capped at 13, with an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, local meals and a night in Saty Village. Bek may guide the trip, with Pernebek behind the wheel.

“The tour was very nice , they covered major 3 spots and gave ample amount of time in all the places. Our Guide "BEK" was very nice and accommodating and the driver "PERNEBEK" who drove us everywhere was a very nice person and droRead more”

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9.2 Days Tour: Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $391

Spend two days with a private guide-driver visiting Charyn Canyon, the sunken-trunk waters of Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake. The tour includes pickup, park admission at two stops, Kazakh food, and a stay with a local family. Guides may include Misha, Chingiz, Kazbek, or Azhad, depending on availability.

“Exploring Kazakhstan for 2 days was an incredible journey, thanks to Explore Kazakhstan and our fantastic driver, Chingiz. The landscapes were breathtaking, and the experience was made even better by their well-organized itinerary. Read more”

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10.2-Day Tour to Kolsay Lake, Kaindy Lake & 3 Canyons

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 8 reviews · 2 days · from $92Best value

Spend two days exploring Kaindy and Kolsay Lakes, Black, Moon, and Charyn Canyons, with an overnight stay in Saty Village. Ride a classic UAZ truck to Kaindy, hike the Valley of Castles, eat local meals, and join a campfire party under the stars. English, Russian, and Kazakh guides may include Nurhat, Daniyal, or Aizook.

“The content of the tour was excellent, sadly the tour guide has much to learn about leading a tour”

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11.Two Day Tour to Altyn Emel: Singing Dune and Aktau Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 8 reviews · 2 days · from $270

Travel from Almaty to Altyn Emel National Park in a small group of up to six. You’ll visit the 700-year-old Willow, hike among the chalk ridges of Aktau and Katutau, stay in Basshi, and walk the Singing Dune. Guides Gaukhar and Gasyr speak English and Russian. Shared rooms and long drives require realistic expectations.

“I had a wonderful time exploring this remote but incredible place, Ghaukar was very professional and always made sure everything was alright. It was interesting as well to be able to meet with local people and discover their culture. Definitely recommend !”

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12.Altyn emel 2 days tour. (Singing dune, AkTau, KattyTau)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $450

Take a private 2-day trip from Almaty into Altyn-Emel National Park with an English-speaking guide. You’ll climb the Singing Dune, see Aktau’s 25 to 30-million-year-old fossil field, and visit the volcanic shapes of Katutau. A 4WD vehicle, lodging, meals, bottled water, and hotel transfers are included.

“Die Umgebung ist einfach unglaublich,nicht von dieser Welt.Der Reiseleiter war auch sehr freundlich.Nur die Unterkunft war gewöhnungsbedürftig.”

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13.2 Days Tour: Charyn Canyon & Black Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews

Travel privately from Almaty with an English and Russian-speaking local driver-guide, usually identified as Vitali, Vitaliy, or Vitto. Over two days, you visit Kolsai Lake, Charyn Canyon, and Kaindy Lake, with admission included. Expect long mountain drives, short scenic walks, flexible planning, and a small-group feel for up to three people.

“Vitaliy was very friendly and he showed us around very nicely. It was very easy to coordinate with him and we had a great time. He was very helpful otherwise also and we did not feel like we had met him for the first time.”

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14.Altyn Emel. Singing dune and Aktau mountains 2 days tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews

Travel from Almaty with a private guide and driver to Kapchagay Reservoir, the Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains, and Katutau volcanic hills. The $1,023.69 rate covers up to four people, round-trip transport, meals, and tent or guesthouse lodging. Guides associated with the experience include Max and Vlad.

“The tour was well planned and executed. Guide Max was punctual, attentive and always ready to help. He demonstrated strong driving skills as well as good knowledge and experience with regard to the places of interest. Very patient, polite and easy to have a conversation with.”

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15.Atyn Emel National Park 2 days tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $450

Travel from Almaty into Altyn Emel National Park in a private off-road SUV with an English-speaking guide. Over two days, you’ll hike to an Aktau Mountains viewpoint, see Katutau Mountain and a 700-year-old willow, then visit Singing Barkhan, Oshaktas Stone Stellas, and Chokan Ualikhanov’s spring. The tour is designed for private groups.

“Altyn Emel National Park is amazing place. We have very enjoyable camping there. Thanks to AbdiTravel for this holidays!🔥”

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