Aquilla Hikes
Kazakhstan – Almaty, Charyn Canyon & Kolsai Lakes
5 Nights / 6 Days · from Almaty
Stay: 4 nights deluxe hotel in Almaty + 1 night homestay in Saty village
Meals: 5 breakfasts + lunch and dinner in Saty village (veg and non-veg)
Transport: Airport transfers, all transport in the itinerary and 4x4 to Kaindy lake
Day-wise itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Almaty
- Pickup at Almaty airport and transfer to the hotel
- Check in and rest after the flight
- Evening at leisure in the city centre
Night: Almaty
Day 2: Almaty City Tour
- Panfilov Park, the city's central green space
- Zenkov Cathedral, a brightly painted wooden cathedral inside the park
- Kok Tobe hill, reached by cable car, for a view over the city and the Tian Shan mountains
Meals: Breakfast · Night: Almaty
Day 3: Shymbulak
- Drive up past Medeu, the high-altitude skating rink
- Cable car to the top station of Shymbulak ski resort for views of snow peaks and glaciers
- Time to enjoy the snow and the mountain cafés; return to the city by evening
Meals: Breakfast · Night: Almaty
Day 4: Charyn Canyon & Black Canyon
- Early start for the drive east to Charyn Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon
- Hike through the Valley of Castles, named for its red rock towers
- Black Canyon viewpoint, a deep dark gorge cut by the Charyn river
- Continue to Saty village for a homestay night with home-cooked meals
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner · Night: Saty village homestay
Day 5: Kaindy & Kolsai Lakes
- 4x4 ride to Kaindy lake, where the trunks of a sunken spruce forest rise out of the turquoise water
- Kolsai lake, a clear mountain lake surrounded by pine forest
- Long scenic drive back to Almaty, arriving by evening
Meals: Breakfast · Night: Almaty
Day 6: Departure
- Breakfast at the hotel and time to pack
- Drop at Almaty airport for your flight home
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
- Accommodation: 4 nights deluxe hotel in Almaty + 1 night homestay in Saty village
- Meals: 5 breakfasts + lunch and dinner in Saty village (veg and non-veg)
- Transport: Airport transfers, all transport in the itinerary and 4x4 to Kaindy lake
- Entry tickets: Kok Tobe, Shymbulak cable car to the top, Charyn Canyon park, Kolsai & Kaindy lakes
- Visa: Visa-free for Indians
- Support: Aquilla destination expert on WhatsApp throughout
Exclusions
- Flights: International and domestic airfare (we quote the best fares on request)
- Meals: Lunches and dinners unless mentioned
- Personal: Tips, laundry, shopping and personal expenses
- Insurance: Travel insurance
- Taxes: 5% GST and TCS as per government rules (TCS is adjustable against income tax)
Price per person
| Double sharing (2 per room) | ₹54,499 |
| Triple sharing (3 per room) | ₹52,499 |
5% GST extra. Booking advance ₹10,000 per person (non-refundable). Balance before boarding.
Things to carry
Passport valid for at least 6 months from your return date · Return ticket and hotel booking (may be asked at immigration) · Forex card or some local currency + a credit card · Universal travel adapter and power bank · International roaming or a local SIM / eSIM · Travel insurance documents · Warm jacket, thermals, gloves and cap (mountains are cold even in summer) · Comfortable walking shoes with grip · Modest clothing for temple visits (shoulders and knees covered) · Personal medicines with prescriptions
Cancellation policy
- The booking amount / advance is non-refundable in any case.
- 30 or more days before departure: 80% refund (excluding the advance).
- 15–29 days before departure: 50% refund (excluding the advance).
- 7–14 days before departure: 25% refund (excluding the advance).
- Less than 7 days before departure: no refund.
- No-shows and late arrivals: no refund.
- If Aquilla Hikes cancels or reschedules for unavoidable reasons, you get another date or a trip of equal value (no cash refund). Rescheduling credit is valid for 12 months.