Airfare: under 2000 Dh! 7 Days: 6 nights: 6400 DH
BOOK BY MAY 5TH: 5000 DH
LAKE S & CANYONS OF KAZAKHSTAN
With Bonus Aysey Plateau Jeep & Hike Day
One of our most popular trips for the last 5 summers!
Leave the heat behind and step into the wild landscapes of southeastern Kazakhstan—where alpine lakes, glacier-fed rivers, and ancient canyons collide.
This 5-day adventure is designed for casual hikers who just want to get outside without committing to long hours on the trails but enjoying the outdoors and active adventures every day on the trip.
We will have a combination of short and longer options for trails, some off-road exploration, and cool mountain air just a short flight from the UAE.
From the forests of the Tien Shan mountains to the dramatic formations of Charyn Canyon and the surreal sunken forest of Kaindy Lake, this journey takes you deep into one of Central Asia’s most untouched regions.
Route
Almaty → Turgen Gorge → Kairak Waterfall → Aysey Plateau → Charyn Canyon → Kolsai Lakes → Kaindy Lake → Almaty
FLIGHTS: AIR ARABIA:
SUN MAY 31: 8:25 PM - 2:30 AM
RETURN: SUN JUNE 7TH 3:30 AM - 7:00 AM
Day 1 — Arrival in Almaty
Arrival in Almaty (FlyDubai)
Airport transfer to hotel
City orientation and optional outdoor gear shopping
Overnight: Reunion Park Hotel and Canyons of Kazakhstan with the Bonus Day: Aysey Plateau Hike/Jeep Day
Day 2 — Turgen Gorge & Kairak Waterfall
Drive to Turgen Gorge (~3 hours)
Settle into riverside glamping camp
Afternoon exploration of the surrounding forest and valley
Stay: Glamping tents in Turgen Gorge
Day 3 — Kairak Waterfall Hike & Aysey Plateau (Bonus Day)
Full hike to Kairak Waterfall (~5 hours total)
Trail through spruce forests and open meadows
Optional jeep exploration to Aysey Plateau
Highlights:
Flowing waterfalls
Alpine landscapes
Remote off-road experience
Stay: Glamping camp
Day 4 — Charyn Canyon → Kolsai Lakes
Transfer to Charyn Canyon
Hike through the famous Valley of Castles (~2 hours)
Jeep ascent out of canyon
Charyn Canyon stretches over 150 km and is often compared to a smaller Grand Canyon
Continue to Kolsai region
Overnight: Guesthouse in Saty Village
Day 5 — Kolsai Lakes Long Hike
Hike between Kolsai Lake 1 and Lake 2 (~6 hours / 8km)
Picnic lunch by the lake
These alpine lakes sit between 1700–2650m and are considered among the most beautiful in Kazakhstan
Stay: Guesthouse
Day 6 — Kaindy Lake & Return to Almaty
Visit Kaindy Lake
Short hike around the famous sunken forest
👉 Known for submerged tree trunks rising from turquoise water
Drive back to Almaty (~4 hours)
Overnight: Dinner in Almaty at Traditional Restaurant and sleep in Reunion park - early morning departure to Dubai.
Day 7: Early Morning Departure to. Dubai
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These day hikes can be as easy or hard as you want to make them. The hardest hike is the Kolsay Lakes hike, which is very long! But you. don’t have to do the entire hike. The other days hiking are not demanding.
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2 nights in Almaty
2 nights in guest house on shared basis
3 nights in Glamping Tent on shared basis
all meals except dinners in almaty, which you will want to do on your own to explore new and different places.
Transportation in comfortable jeep
all meals
Trek leader:
English speaking guides
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Airfare and visa to Kazakstan
Tips for guides
Dinners in Almaty
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This trek will go ahead with a minimum of 3 people booked. If the trip is not filled up 20 days before the hike, you will be refunded in full or rescheduled to the August dates, whatever you prefer.