Geeth International Tours & Travels
Kazakhstan Tian Shan mountains · Charyn Canyon · Submerged forest lakes · Vibrant city culture
Tian Shan Mountains, Almaty
Charyn Canyon
Kaindy Lake Submerged Forest
Shymbulak Cable Car — 3,200m
Kolsai Lake, Alpine Gorge
Zenkov Cathedral, Almaty
Green Bazaar, Almatyadventure A nature-focused Kazakhstan itinerary that blends Almaty's cultural highlights with scenic mountain and canyon excursions — ideal for outdoor lovers and culture seekers. From a cable car ascent to 3,200m at Shymbulak Ski Resort, to walking the dramatic formations of Charyn Canyon, sleeping in a traditional guesthouse at Saty Village and marvelling at the submerged forest of Kaindy Lake — this journey offers authentic Central Asian adventures far off the beaten track.
- ✦Shymbulak Cable Car — scenic ascent to 3,200m with panoramic Tian Shan mountain views above the clouds
- ✦Charyn Canyon — dramatic canyon landscapes and the unique Black Canyon, Kazakhstan's answer to the Grand Canyon
- ✦Kaindy & Kolsai Lakes — Kaindy's surreal submerged spruce forest and Kolsai's stunning alpine gorge lakes
- ✦Kok Tobe & Green Bazaar — panoramic city views from Kok Tobe hill, shopping and local culture at the Green Bazaar
- ✦Stay overnight in a traditional Saty Village guesthouse with a homemade Kazakh dinner
- ✦Marvel at the Zenkov Cathedral — an entirely wooden cathedral built without a single nail
Mountain and lake access varies significantly with season — Kaindy and Kolsai roads, Shymbulak operations and canyon conditions all shift through the year. Flight routing from Kerala, hotel category and guesthouse availability change with your dates too, so we build every Almaty itinerary around your exact travel window and quote per traveller.
01
Arrival — Pick up from Almaty International Airport after arrival formalities. A refreshment snack box is provided on arrival. Transfer to hotel for check-in and free time to relax and recover from travel.
Evening — Transfer to a local restaurant for dinner followed by a free evening walk in the city. Experience an authentic horse-meat tasting, a beloved regional delicacy in Kazakhstan. Please inform us in advance if you have dietary restrictions.
Overnight in Almaty.
02
Morning — Shymbulak Cable Car — Breakfast at hotel. Ascend to Shymbulak Ski Resort at 3,200m altitude via the cable car system, passing through the Medeu ice rink level and intermediate stations. Breathtaking panoramic views of the Tian Shan mountain range and the Almaty valley below. Lunch at the mountain restaurant before descending.
Afternoon — Almaty City Tour — Explore the highlights of Kazakhstan's cultural capital: Republic Square (the grand central square with the Monument of Independence), Abai Opera & Ballet Theater (one of Central Asia's most beautiful buildings), Panfilov Street and the atmospheric Arbat Walking Street.
Evening — Transfer to restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Almaty.
03
Morning — Breakfast at hotel and check-out. Bags may be stored at the hotel. Transfer approximately 3 hours to Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan's answer to the Grand Canyon.
Charyn Canyon Exploration (~2 hours) — Walk through the dramatic canyon formations and explore the unique Black Canyon area: towering sandstone and limestone walls in shades of red, orange and purple, carved by millions of years of erosion. Truly spectacular scenery. Lunch boxes provided at the canyon.
Afternoon — Continue to Saty Village, a remote mountain village nestled in the Tian Shan foothills. Check in at a traditional local guesthouse for an authentic Central Asian rural experience.
Homemade dinner at the guesthouse — fresh local produce, traditional Kazakh dishes and warm village hospitality. Overnight at Saty Village.
04
Morning — Breakfast and check-out from Saty Village guesthouse. Transfer by Soviet-period vehicle to Kaindy Lake Parking 1, then by eco-taxi to Parking 2. A short ~10-minute walk brings you to the lake shore.
Kaindy Lake — Marvel at one of Central Asia's most surreal sights: a strikingly beautiful alpine lake formed by a 1911 earthquake, where a submerged spruce forest emerges hauntingly from the turquoise water. The dead tree trunks, perfectly preserved in the cold mountain lake, create an otherworldly, photogenic landscape.
En route lunch and transfer to Kolsay Lake, a series of three stunning high-altitude lakes in the Kolsay Gorge, surrounded by dense conifer forests and snow-capped peaks. Time for photography and enjoying the alpine scenery.
Return to Almaty (approximately 4-hour drive) with a dinner stop en route. Overnight in Almaty.
🚙 The Soviet-period vehicle and eco-taxi transfers to Kaindy Lake are rustic by nature — part of the authentic local experience. Short walks on uneven mountain terrain are involved.05
Morning — Breakfast at hotel. Explore Almaty's most beloved landmarks: Park of 28 Panfilov Heroes (a scenic memorial park with the eternal flame) and the spectacular Zenkov Cathedral, an entirely wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral built without nails, one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world and a masterpiece of carpentry.
Green Bazaar (Zelyony Rynok) — Almaty's most famous and atmospheric market, a feast for the senses with fresh produce, spices, dried fruits, nuts, cheeses, meats and traditional Kazakh crafts. Perfect for souvenir shopping.
Chocolate Factory Shop — Visit a local chocolate and confectionery shop to pick up Almaty's famous chocolates and sweets as gifts.
Afternoon — Kok Tobe Park — Ascend by one-way cable car to Kok Tobe Hill (1,100m), a scenic hilltop park with panoramic views over Almaty and the Tian Shan mountains beyond. Explore the park, the TV tower, and enjoy the cool altitude air.
Lunch, dinner and overnight in Almaty.
06
Morning — Breakfast at hotel. Check-out. A light snack box is provided for the journey.
Transfer to Almaty International Airport for your return flight to Kerala. Tour concludes at airport drop-off.
We hope Kazakhstan's dramatic landscapes, warm culture and unique experiences leave lasting memories. Until the next journey! 🏔
- Arrival and departure airport transfers (private)
- Accommodation on twin / double sharing basis (hotel + Saty guesthouse as per itinerary)
- Snack box on arrival and light snack box on departure
- All sightseeing and transfers by private A/C vehicle unless specified otherwise
- Cable car tickets — Shymbulak (up & down) and one-way Kok Tobe cable car
- Lunch / packed lunch boxes as specified (e.g. Charyn Canyon lunch boxes)
- Local guesthouse stay at Saty Village with homemade dinner
- Selected dinners as mentioned in itinerary (restaurant and guesthouse)
- Local assistance (English / Malayalam speaking) where required
- International flights from Kerala to Almaty and return
- Kazakhstan visa fees and processing
- Meals not specified as included in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Personal expenses, shopping and gratuities
- Anything not specified in the inclusions above
Times and sequence of sightseeing may change due to local conditions, weather or operational reasons. Final schedule confirmed locally.
Kaindy and Kolsai lake visits involve short walks on uneven mountain terrain and may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility. Wear sturdy, comfortable footwear for canyon and lake excursions.
Horse meat tasting is a beloved local specialty in Kazakhstan. Guests with dietary restrictions or preferences should inform us in advance so we can arrange suitable alternatives.
Some transfers including the eco-taxi and Soviet-period vehicle to Kaindy Lake are rustic by nature and add authenticity to the local experience. These are part of the adventure!
Passport validity and Kazakhstan entry requirements are entirely the passenger's responsibility — please verify visa requirements well in advance of travel.
Peak-season surcharges and availability are subject to change — confirm at time of booking. Early booking strongly recommended for summer months (June–August).
get your custom quote Because mountain and lake access shifts with the season and flight routing from Kerala changes with your dates, we build every Almaty itinerary around you. Share your preferred travel window and we'll return a detailed, all-in quote within hours.
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