Explore more curated experiences in Almaty
View all Almaty toursFrom Almaty: 3-Day Private: Altyn Emel Charyn Kolsay Kayndi
3-day trip from Almaty visiting Expedition Briefing, Tracing an Ancient Ocean and Walk on an Ancient Seabed. Operated by TurboKom Travel.
Highlights
- Travel across the landscapes of the ancient Tethys Ocean
From Almaty: 3-Day Private: Altyn Emel Charyn Kolsay Kayndi: Key Facts
| Price | From $2080 per person |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days |
| Languages | English |
| Tour type | Guided Tour |
| Booking | Direct with the local operator — no OTA markup |
Choose from 1 available option
From Almaty: 3-Day Private: Altyn Emel Charyn Kolsay Kayndi
Full description
A 3-day trip out of Almaty taking in Expedition Briefing, Tracing an Ancient Ocean, Walk on an Ancient Seabed and Through an Ancient Volcano. There are 18 stops in all.
The running order is Expedition Briefing, then Tracing an Ancient Ocean, then Walk on an Ancient Seabed, then Through an Ancient Volcano, then The Singing Dune Experience, and on from there.
The price covers private 3-day 4×4 expedition, Professional English-speaking expedition leader, Toyota Land Cruiser 200 with air conditioning and Hotel pickup and drop-off in Almaty. It does not cover personal travel insurance, Alcoholic beverages and Personal expenses, so budget for those separately. Two travellers pay $2405 together rather than $2080 each, because this is priced per party and not per head.
Tour Itinerary
The schedule below is a suggested plan and can be adjusted to suit your preferences.
Expedition Briefing
Meet your expedition guide and leave Almaty. Before the journey begins, you'll discover why today's route follows the remains of the ancient Tethys Ocean and how every destination tells part of the same geological story.
Tracing an Ancient Ocean
As the scenery changes from steppe to desert, your guide explains how this region was once covered by a warm tropical sea. The drive becomes part of the expedition rather than simply transportation.
Walk on an Ancient Seabed
Explore the colorful Aktau Mountains, where marine sediments preserve millions of years of Earth's history. Instead of simply visiting viewpoints, you'll learn to read the landscape like an open geological book.
Through an Ancient Volcano
Discover the lava formations of Katutau and see how volcanic activity reshaped the former ocean floor into one of Kazakhstan's most extraordinary landscapes.
The Singing Dune Experience
Climb one of the world's rare Singing Dunes and experience its mysterious natural sound while enjoying panoramic views across Altyn-Emel National Park.
Campfire Stories & Local Hospitality
End the day in a traditional guesthouse, sharing local cuisine and stories about nomadic life, wildlife, and the landscapes you'll explore next.
Expedition Breakfast
Start the morning with a traditional breakfast before continuing deeper into the landscapes once influenced by the ancient Tethys Ocean.
The Castle Valley of Charyn
Walk among the towering sandstone formations of Charyn Canyon. Learn how millions of years of wind, rivers, and climate transformed ancient seabed deposits into one of Central Asia's most spectacular natural monuments.
The Hidden Black Canyon
Leave the main tourist route to discover Black Canyon, a quieter viewpoint overlooking dramatic cliffs and the turquoise Charyn River. A perfect place for photography and taking in the scale of the landscape.
Lunch with a Local Family
Enjoy homemade Kazakh cuisine in a family guesthouse in Saty village. Meet local hosts and experience the warm hospitality of rural Kazakhstan.
Kolsai – The Forest Lake
Explore the peaceful shores of Kolsai Lake, surrounded by spruce forests and mountain peaks. Take time to walk, relax, or simply enjoy the silence of the Northern Tien Shan.
Stories Around the Table
Share dinner while your expedition guide reveals how deserts, canyons, mountains, and alpine lakes are all connected by the geological history of the ancient Tethys Ocean, turning the journey into one complete story.
Morning in the Mountains
Wake up surrounded by the fresh mountain air of the Northern Tien Shan. After breakfast, prepare for the final chapter of your expedition.
Kaindy – The Sunken Forest
Explore Kaindy Lake, where a powerful earthquake created one of the world's most extraordinary landscapes. Walk along the shoreline as submerged spruce trees rise from crystal-clear turquoise water, creating a natural monument found nowhere else.
The Last Chapter of Tethys
Your guide brings together the story of the expedition—from the ancient seabed of Aktau and volcanic Katutau to the canyons, mountains, and lakes—revealing how millions of years of geological change shaped modern Kazakhstan.
Farewell Lunch
Enjoy one final traditional meal in a local guesthouse before leaving the mountains and beginning the return journey.
Return Across the Steppe
Travel back to Almaty through Kazakhstan's vast open landscapes, with time to stop for photos whenever conditions are perfect.
End of the Expedition
Arrive in Almaty with more than beautiful photographs. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of Kazakhstan's landscapes, geology, nomadic culture, and the remarkable story of the ancient Tethys Ocean.
Includes
- Private 3-day 4×4 expedition
- Professional English-speaking expedition leader
- Toyota Land Cruiser 200 with air conditioning
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Almaty
- 2 nights in family guesthouses
- 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 traditional dinners
- Altyn-Emel National Park entrance fees
- Charyn National Park entrance fees
- Bottled drinking water
- Geological and cultural interpretation throughout the expedition
- Flexible itinerary adapted to weather and road conditions
- Photography stops at the best viewpoints
Excludes
- Personal travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Personal expenses
- Optional professional drone photo and video package
- Optional horse ride or UAZ bus to Kolsay and Kaindy Lake instead of walking (if available)
- Tips for the expedition leader (optional)
Important information
Meeting point
The operator confirms the exact meeting point and time once your booking is confirmed, and you will have it well before the day. If you would rather know before you book, message us on WhatsApp and we will ask them for you.
Know before you go
- Free cancellation available up to 24 hours before the activity starts