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Kazakhstan 8 nightsNatureCulture

Lakes and City Living

Almaty, red-rock walks and three quiet nights near Kazakhstan's mountain lakes.

  1. 1Almaty
  2. 2Medeu
  3. 3Shymbulak
  4. 4Charyn Canyon
  5. 5Saty
  6. 6Lower Kolsai Lake
  7. 7Kaindy Lake

From, per person~US$1,480

Designed by @snuck Shaped around your dates No payment to ask

Best Jun to Sep

By @snuckUpdated 11 November 2026

Enjoy Almaty's city comforts and three nights in a private mountain cottage near Saty. Visit Kolsai and Kaindy on separate days, with time for lakeside walks, warm meals and free afternoons.

Length
8 nights
Route
Almaty, Medeu, Shymbulak…
Best time
Jun to Sep
Ideal for
Travellers wanting mountain views without changing hotels every day

Why you'll love it

  1. Three nights in a mountain cottage with local character
  2. Charyn Canyon on the way to the lakes
  3. A full day beside Lower Kolsai Lake
  4. Private local four-wheel-drive trip to Kaindy
  5. Five nights in comfortable Almaty hotels
  6. Learn Kazakh cooking with a local host

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrive and Rest

    Meet your private driver and settle into your Almaty hotel. Leave the rest of the day free to rest and have dinner nearby.

    • Stay: Central Almaty 4–5-star hotel
    • Getting there: Private airport transfer, approximately 40–75 minutes

  2. Day 2

    Discover Almaty's Local Food

    Walk through Panfilov Park and the Green Bazaar with a private guide. Try local food at lunch with your host, then spend the afternoon visiting cafés and browsing on your own.

    • Stay: Central Almaty 4–5-star hotel
    • Getting there: Private city transfers, approximately 30–60 minutes total, plus walking

  3. Day 3

    Ride Into the Mountains

    Drive to Medeu and take the cable car to Shymbulak. Take easy walks and enjoy lunch before returning to the city. Pack a smaller bag for your stay near the lakes.

    • Stay: Central Almaty 4–5-star hotel
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 45–75 minutes each way; cable car approximately 20–30 minutes each way to the resort

  4. Day 4

    Charyn Canyon to Saty

    Leave after an early breakfast and stop at Charyn Canyon for a guided walk and picnic. Continue to Saty for dinner and a quiet evening at your cottage.

    • Stay: Private cottage with local character near Saty, with heating and an attached bathroom
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 3–3.5 hours to Charyn, then 2–2.5 hours to Saty; allow 8–10 hours including visits and breaks

  5. Day 5

    Walk Beside Kolsai Lake

    Spend the morning at Lower Kolsai Lake, walking a section of the shore that feels comfortable with your guide. Enjoy a packed lunch, then return to your cottage for reading, tea or a quiet village walk.

    • Stay: Private cottage with local character near Saty, with heating and an attached bathroom
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 25–40 minutes each way

  6. Day 6 · Kaindy Lake

    See Kaindy's Submerged Trees

    Take a private local four-wheel-drive vehicle towards Kaindy Lake. From where the vehicle can reach, walk to viewpoints to see tree trunks rising from the water. Return for a late lunch and a free afternoon, with no other outing planned.

    • Stay: Private cottage with local character near Saty, with heating and an attached bathroom
    • Getting there: Private local four-wheel-drive vehicle, approximately 1–1.5 hours each way; allow 30–60 minutes walking each way depending on access

  7. Day 7

    Return to Almaty

    After breakfast, drive back to Almaty with a lunch stop and regular breaks. Check into your city hotel and spend the evening as you like.

    • Stay: Central Almaty 4–5-star hotel
    • Getting there: Private car, approximately 4.5–5.5 hours driving; allow 6–7 hours with stops

  8. Day 8

    Cook and See City Views

    Spend the late morning preparing a Kazakh dish with a local host, then share lunch. Keep the afternoon free before riding the Kok Tobe cable car for a final view across Almaty.

    • Stay: Central Almaty 4–5-star hotel
    • Getting there: Private city transfers, approximately 45–75 minutes total; cable car approximately 6 minutes each way

  9. Day 9

    Breakfast and Your Flight

    Have breakfast and enjoy any remaining time near the hotel. Your private driver takes you to the airport for your next flight.

    • Getting there: Private airport transfer, approximately 40–75 minutes

Where you'll stay

  1. 3 nights · days 1 to 3Central Almaty 4–5-star hotel
  2. 3 nights · days 4 to 6Private cottage with local character near Saty, with heating and an attached bathroom
  3. 2 nights · days 7 to 8Central Almaty 4–5-star hotel

When to go

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jungood time to go
  7. Julgood time to go
  8. Auggood time to go
  9. Sepgood time to go
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Best from Jun to Sep. Other months work too; we'll tell you what to expect for your dates.

Included

  • Five nights in an Almaty 4–5-star hotel
  • Three nights in a private cottage near Saty with an attached bathroom
  • Stays with two people sharing a room
  • Daily breakfast
  • Private airport transfers and planned road journeys
  • Private local four-wheel-drive vehicle for Kaindy
  • English-speaking guide on planned sightseeing days
  • Listed park entry and cable car tickets
  • Lunches on days 2 and 4–8
  • Three cottage dinners in Saty

Not included

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Entry documents or visa fees, if needed
  • Meals and drinks beyond those listed
  • Optional boating, riding or spa treatments
  • Early check-in and late checkout
  • Personal spending, tips and Indian tax collected at source (TCS), if applicable

Good to know

  • The estimated starting price is ₹139,000 per person, with two people sharing a room, for the premium stays and services listed. International flights are extra; summer weekends can cost more.
  • The rural cottage near Saty has local character and a private bathroom. Service and meals are simpler than at the city hotels.
  • Kaindy has rough roads and uneven walking paths, and access depends on conditions. Request vegetarian cottage meals in advance.

Before you go to Kazakhstan

Capital:
Astana
Languages:
Kazakh, Russian
Currency:
KZT

Questions

How many days is the Lakes and City Living trip?

8 nights and 9 days: Almaty, Medeu, Shymbulak, Charyn Canyon, Saty, Lower Kolsai Lake, Kaindy Lake, Almaty.

How much does it cost?

From ₹1,39,000 per person, twin sharing, without international flights. We confirm the price for your dates.

When is the best time to go?

Jun to Sep.

What is included?

Five nights in an Almaty 4–5-star hotel, Three nights in a private cottage near Saty with an attached bathroom, Stays with two people sharing a room, Daily breakfast, Private airport transfers and planned road journeys, Private local four-wheel-drive vehicle for Kaindy, English-speaking guide on planned sightseeing days, Listed park entry and cable car tickets, Lunches on days 2 and 4–8, Three cottage dinners in Saty.

What is not included?

International flights, Travel insurance, Entry documents or visa fees, if needed, Meals and drinks beyond those listed, Optional boating, riding or spa treatments, Early check-in and late checkout, Personal spending, tips and Indian tax collected at source (TCS), if applicable.

Can the trip be changed?

Yes. A trip designer shapes the pace, stays and length with you before you book.

Make it yours.

Change the pace, the stays or the length. A trip designer shapes it with you, and we confirm the price for your dates.

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From ~US$1,480