Multi-day Trips from Almaty

The best multi-day trips from Almaty head east and south-east into the Zhetysu region, where the lakes and canyons are too far to see in one day. The roads are long, mobile coverage is patchy in remote areas, and the hiking trails sit in mountain terrain, so book a licensed operator or a local driver and keep to marked paths. Fees below are in tenge (KZT), at roughly 470 to 490 to the US dollar in 2026.

Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy Lake: 2 days, 1 night

This is the classic overnight. The lakes lie about 300 km from Almaty, and the drive takes 4 to 6 hours each way. Most visitors sleep in the village of Saty, which puts you close to both stops.

  • Lower Kolsai (1,818 m) is the only lake you can reach by road. It has a cafe, a promenade and boat hire.
  • Middle Kolsai (2,252 m) is a hike of more than 3 hours each way, about 8 km beyond the lower lake.
  • Upper Kolsai (about 2,850 m) lies in the border zone and needs a border-service permit, arranged in Almaty some weeks ahead.
  • Kaindy is about 12 km from Saty on a rough track, usually driven in a local 4x4 or UAZ, or walked in about 90 minutes each way. A new 10 km road was being built, so ask in Saty which route is open.

Park entry was about 845 to 1,000 KZT per person in early 2026, paid in cash at the checkpoint, and tent camping costs about 750 KZT extra. Kaindy water stays at 5 to 10 C, so swimming is not advisable, and diving needs a permit. Boats are rented at Lower Kolsai, not at Kaindy. Carry your original passport in the Saty and border area.

Charyn plus Kolsai and Kaindy: 3 days

Operators combine the two into a Zhetysu loop of 3 days, with a night in Saty. Charyn Canyon is about 200 km east of Almaty. The pedestrian fee is 865 KZT, the Valley of Castles trail takes 40 to 50 minutes one way, and an eco-taxi up from the canyon floor is about 800 KZT per person. The last stretch of road is dirt and is passable in dry weather, and fuel is scarce after Shelek, so fill the tank first.

Altyn-Emel National Park: 2 days at least

Altyn-Emel is known for the Singing Dune and the Aktau mountains. It needs a vehicle and a park guide, and two days is the minimum. Arrange it through a licensed operator, who will handle the park fees, permits and border-zone rules.

Costs and booking

Operators quote tour prices in roubles and tenge, and they drift with fuel and season. Ask each operator for an itemised price that covers transport, guide, park fees and lodging. Guesthouses in Saty can be found on Booking.com . Check the UK Foreign Office pages on entry requirements and safety , which cover registration, the QazETA authorisation and its advice against trekking alone.

Packing and timing

  • Bring warm layers, rain gear and shoes with grip for muddy trails.
  • Carry cash for park gates and village shops.
  • Expect rockfall and mudflow after rain and thaw, and avalanche risk on higher trails.
  • Mountain rescue can be called on 109 or 112.

Read more: day trips from Almaty and outdoor activities in Almaty . Guided multi-day tours can be compared on GetYourGuide .