Nestled in the heart of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is a country brimming with natural marvels and cultural treasures waiting to be discovered. In June 2023, I and Anchal had an amazing experience exploring awe-inspiring landscapes: this was a 3-day guided Kazakhstan tour through the Assy Plateau, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes, and Charyn Canyon. We were accompanied by our lovely and hospitable guide Daniyar Batyr from Easy Nomad for the 3-day trip.
More on how we booked our 2 Week Kazakhstan itinerary in the next post.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Pickup from Almaty hotel, Assy Plateau, Issyk Lake, spend night at Issyk City
- Day 2: Kaindy Lake, Kolsay Lake, stay at Saty Village
- Day 3: Charyn Canyon, Charyn Lake, and back to Almaty hotel
Day 1: Into the Heart of Assy Plateau
To start our Kazakhstan 3-day long tour, we woke up early around 7 am (I am not a morning person, so it was a task) and had breakfast at our hotel in Almaty by 8 am. Daniyar had come to pick us up sharp by 8:05 AM in an Innova. It was a 5 person group including the our guide, the 2 of us from the UAE, 1 person from France, and another 1 from our home country India. After a quick greet and meet, we embarked on a scenic drive to the breathtaking Assy Plateau. I had particularly wanted to visit the terrain after looking up images of Kazakhstan and spotting the location. The 2.5-hour journey flew by as we chatted with our group about places they had already been in Kazakhstan, anticipation building with every passing mile. We encountered nomadic herders tending their flocks on our way up.
The last stretch leading upto the plateau top was full of gravel and no proper roads, however it was worth the inconvenience. By 11 am, we arrived at the Assy Plateau, an ethereal landscape dotted with wildflowers and framed by majestic mountains. One of my most awaited moments was to see the Assy-Turgen Observatory in person, as it stood tall amongst the beautiful terrain – some say the low air turbulence and absence of light pollution have resulted in favorable conditions for observational astrophysics.
The vastness of the plateau left us in awe (as you can see from some of the pictures). We spent an hour wandering, taking more photographs of the landscape and soaking in the serene beauty that surrounded us.
At 12:30 pm, Daniyar treated us to home made Panini sandwiches, bananas and water. We noticed a few other families having a nice picnic on the plateau, and some folks also setting up tents to stay overnight. Overall, the spot was not at all crowded and we could roam around easily. After some more free time (and even more pictures), we huddled back into the car to make our way ahead to Issyk City. By 2 pm, we had reached the Issyk Lake (you need to hike down for 2 kms to reach the lake, it’s an easy path). The water being crystal-clear reflected the nearby mountains, creating a postcard-perfect scene that left us enchanted.
By 3 PM, we left the Issyk Lake and reached Issyk Village in the next 1.5 hours to halt for the night. We parted ways with 2 of our fellow travelers. The stay in Issyk Village was a custom addition for us by Daniyar, because we wanted to cover all these places in 3 days simultaneously, rather than going back and forth between Almaty.
Our stay was a cute homestay property in the middle of a vineyard, managed by a local Kazak family. This isn’t the usual stay for most of the travelers, and hence it was an unknown to all of us. One word to define the place would be – Cozy, maybe I will add more adjectives for this one later, as we go on. It was a cute wooden property owned by Slava (Tranquil Agritours – photos here). They also had bikes on offer at an extra cost to do 3 different routes around the stay (we were lazy and tired, so didn’t opt for it). The homestay had all the amenities needed to make it cute and close to nature.
Complimentary homemade wine and cheese awaited us in our room’s mini fridge. The homestay itself was surrounded by grape fields, with an underground wine flask. It had a barbeque section if you were highly motivated to cook but if you just wanted to have some fun and adventure, it had a mini pool, mini basketball hoop and a foosball table. We had a cat accompanying us while we strolled around the property. In the evening, we walked around the village, up to the closest museum. It was a small village, with most people owning small farms, with small roads connecting them.
We had sushi and pitfire pizza for dinner, which was ordered courtesy the owner. Weather was so perfect that the place didn’t have any fans or AC and we still managed to have the most peaceful sleep of our trip. As we woke up the next morning, it was chilly and drizzling, which was a departure from the full sunshine a day before.
Day 2: Adventurous Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes
Next day started at 6:30 AM, when we got up to get ready for our next leg of the 2 day trip to Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes, and Charyn Canyon. At 7:30 AM, a sumptuous homemade breakfast was bought in by Slava and his wife, which had Omelets, Kazakh tea, Cheese and lip smacking Pancakes. We had our breakfast surrounded by the vineyards, with rain falling down. What a perfect view!
We were picked up by Daniyar sharp at 8 AM, on time as usual, to start our journey towards Kaindy Lake. We hopped on to our SUVs for the next leg of our journey and were joined in by 2 more couples (1 Swiss and 1 Filipino) along with Daniyar and his dad.
For the next 3 hours, we ventured and saw the vastness of Kazakhstan. We traveled via the Western Europe-Western China highway (China’s Yellow Sea coast with Western Europe – stretching to 8500 KMs) to inroads of Kazakh village. We saw the change in landscapes from green forests to grasslands, to canyons and then a mix of snowcapped mountains with grasslands. Even grasslands transitioned their color from yellow to orange to green as we traveled. The 3 onroad hours were straight out of the movie. It was a smooth road with most people catching up on their sleep, while Daniyar tried to keep us entertained with some of his interesting stories.
Our ride ended as the smooth road came to the end and we stopped just before a small road block. As we exited the vehicle, we could feel the chilly wind hitting all of us. And with quick decision, we took our jackets in hand, because our backpacks were not going with us to protect us. The lakes were a cluster of three stunning, turquoise bodies of water, each more captivating than the last. As we hiked towards the first lake, the crisp mountain air filled our lungs, rejuvenating us for the day ahead.
Upon reaching the first lake, we were mesmerized by its beauty. The emerald waters mirrored the towering peaks surrounding it, creating a surreal and picturesque scene. I couldn’t resist the temptation to dip my feet in the water, feeling its cold, refreshing touch against the skin.
After a memorable time at the first lake, we continued our hike to the second lake. The trail was slightly more challenging, but the sights were worth the effort. En route, my guide shared fascinating stories about the local legends and folklore surrounding these enchanting lakes, adding a touch of mystique to the experience.
The second lake was no less captivating than the first, with its own unique charm. The turquoise waters seemed to stretch to infinity, inviting me to take a boat ride to explore its hidden corners. Gliding across the serene waters, I marveled at the untouched beauty of Kolsay Lakes.
The highlight of the day awaited us at Kaindy Lake, known for its submerged forest that emerged after an earthquake in 1911. As we approached the lake, the sight of the half-submerged, ghostly spruce trees left me in awe. The crystal-clear waters preserved the trees’ haunting remains, creating an eerie yet captivating spectacle. The lake’s glass-like surface reflected the trees, creating an illusion of a submerged world beneath.
The day ended with a return to the nearby village, where I was welcomed into the home of a hospitable local family. They graciously shared their traditional cuisine and offered insights into the local way of life. The warmth and kindness I encountered made my experience even more enriching.
Day 3: Majestic Charyn Canyon, and end of the Kazakhstan Tour
On the final day of my adventure, I set out for the magnificent Charyn Canyon, often compared to the Grand Canyon for its impressive geological formations. As we approached the canyon, the landscape transformed into a maze of red-hued rock formations, carved over millions of years by the Charyn River.
Our first stop was at the Valley of Castles, an awe-inspiring section of the canyon where the eroded rocks resembled ancient castles with intricate designs. Nature’s artistry left me speechless as I explored the nooks and crannies of this geological wonder.
Next, we ventured deeper into the canyon to the Charyn River, where I was delighted to discover small, hidden oases amid the arid terrain. The riverbanks offered a refreshing respite, and I relished the opportunity to immerse myself in the natural beauty surrounding me.
As the day progressed, we reached the most iconic part of the canyon – the Charyn Canyon’s “Valley of the Giants.” Towering rock pillars, shaped by wind and water, rose like giants from the canyon floor. I couldn’t resist the temptation to climb one of the formations, which rewarded me with a bird’s-eye view of this breathtaking landscape.
As the sun began to set over the Charyn Canyon, I took a moment to reflect on the unforgettable journey I had experienced. Each day had been a whirlwind of wonder, immersing myself in the unparalleled beauty of Kazakhstan’s natural treasures. From the Assy Plateau’s serene meadows to the turquoise Kolsay & Kaindy Lakes and the majestic Charyn Canyon, this adventure had etched memories that would last a lifetime.
What to Bring for the Tour:
Based on Daniyar’s recommendation, we had brought along:
- Warm and preferably waterproof jacket (this saved us when it rained heavily at the Kaindy lake)
- Waterproof shoes suitable for hiking and trekking, with a non-flat sole for better grip on slippery terrain
- A cap, sunglasses and sunscreen to shield yourself from the sun (weather changes frequently)
- Any necessary medication to ensure a worry-free journey
View 7, 10 and 14 day Vietnam travel ideas or visit our 3 day Almaty itinerary writeup which was just posted.