1 Night 2 Day Tour of Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes and Charyn Canyon from Almaty (Yurt Stay)

Wonderful nature and disappointing execution, but the stargazing with fellow Koreans was the best! It was a 1-night, 2-day tour with clear pros and cons. Here's my honest review. 👍 Pros: Above all, the weather made this tour! The natural scenery encountered throughout the tour was truly magnificent and a feast for the eyes. The horseback riding activity during the tour was especially fun and a unique experience. I highly recommend the scenery and activities themselves for those who want to heal in nature. 👎 Cons: The vehicle travel time was quite long, and the bus interior was a bit cramped, making it slightly stuffy for long periods of sitting. Also, the guide's execution ability was a bit disappointing. Looking at other tour reviews, there seems to be quite a difference in capability among guides, so it would be good for those planning to go to keep this in mind. ✨ Tip for the night activity (campfire): We were informed beforehand that there would be time for a campfire and socializing at night, but when night came, there was no organized activity, and everyone seemed to be going to sleep, which was quite bewildering. Although it was a shame the event didn't happen, fortunately, the Koreans on the tour that day got together and went stargazing separately. The sky was filled with so many beautiful stars it felt like they were pouring down, and it ultimately became a wonderful memory! For those going on the tour, be aware that the night schedule can be flexible, so I recommend preparing to stargaze separately at night or bringing some light snacks to enjoy on your own!

Good, but I would have dedicated more time to the canyon.

Singaporean here!!! Axultan was an amazing tour guide who always looked after us at every single tour destination. He was very engaging and interactive, which was very refreshing, as tour groups usually feel too rigid and awkward when I travel. Axultan knows how to get everyone onto the same wavelength, and he definitely made it a memorable tour. In my 9 days in Kazakhstan, the tour was definitely the highlight of the trip. I highly recommend this trip to everyone who wants a good balance of fun and learning when they travel. He even catered to my request to find a place to do my daily prayers during lunchtime, a very responsible tour guide!

Super nice and well organised activity, with sufficient times on each spots to walk around and take pictures. Our guides have been great at giving information about Kazakhstan and the sites we visited but also at creating a nice and fun atmosphere. I highly recommend!

Memorable! I enjoyed the freedom at each stop. Our guide, Axultan, gave us information on the bus, and when we arrived at each stop we were free to explore however we wanted. We could go at our own pace, and see as much or as little as we wanted. There was also sufficient clean toilets throughout the tour. Axultan was a wonderful guide. He was easy to approach, knowledgeable and we could tell he also enjoyed coming to these places. I also appreciated our driver - he was reliable and skilled.