The best time to visit Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy depends on what you want to see: green slopes, golden autumn or spruces frozen in ice. Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy lie in the same direction from Almaty and are combined on our 6-location day tour.
The canyons and lakes sit at different altitudes, so the weather there differs on the same day. Charyn Canyon is hot and dry, while Kolsai and Kaindy, at 1,800-2,000 metres, are cool and damp. Below: seasons, months, crowds by day of the week and common mistakes when choosing a date.
Best time to visit Kolsai and Charyn: the short answer
For the lakes, the best period is June to September. For the canyon, it is late spring and early autumn, when the heat eases. If you want to see Lake Kaindy frozen, go in the middle of winter.
To see everything in one trip, plan around the lakes: the canyon is open almost all year, while the lake season is shorter. So the overall answer is late May to late September.
Spring at Charyn and Kolsai: April and May
In spring Charyn Canyon is warm, the steppe turns green and walking through the Valley of Castles is comfortable all day. At Kolsai and Kaindy there is still snow in early spring, the trails are wet and meltwater washes out the dirt road to Kaindy. In April the road to Lake Kaindy is sometimes closed.
By late May the lakes thaw, the water gains colour and the forest turns green. May is a good compromise for those who want to see both the canyon and the lakes without the summer heat. Bear in mind that it often rains in the mountains in May.
Pros of spring: mild weather in the canyon, few people, green slopes. Cons: snow and mud at the lakes in April, unsettled weather, the risk of missing Kaindy. If your trip falls in April, focus on the canyons and save the lakes for summer.
Summer at Charyn and Kolsai: June, July and August
Summer is the best time to visit Kolsai: fresh air, turquoise water, open roads and guesthouses running in Saty. July and August are the busiest months, especially at weekends. Nights by the lakes are cold even in August, so you need warm clothes in summer too.
In summer the canyon gets hotter than +35 °C, and there is almost no shade on the trails. That is why groups arrive at Charyn early in the morning: the day tour reaches the canyon around 8:30 am, before the peak heat. Hot days in the canyon are easier with a hat and plenty of water.
Pros of summer: the whole route is open, long days, warm evenings in Saty. Cons: heat in the canyon, crowded car parks at weekends, high demand for guesthouses. Book trips for July and August in advance, especially for Saturdays.
Autumn at Charyn and Kolsai: September and October
The heat in the canyon eases and there are fewer tourists. Around the lakes, birches and aspens turn yellow against the dark spruces, the air is clear and photos come out with strong contrast. September combines a warm day in the canyon with roads to the lakes that are still open. In early autumn the water at Kaindy is clear, and the tops of the sunken spruces are easy to see from the shore.
In October mornings in the mountains are cold, and early snow sometimes falls at Kolsai. During the day the canyon is comfortable, but daylight is shorter and the programme is tighter.
Pros of autumn: a comfortable canyon, bright colours, fewer people. Cons: cold mornings, possible snow at Kolsai in October, less daylight. For photographers, September is one of the best months of the year.
Winter at Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy: November to March
Kaindy freezes, and the sunken spruces are visible through the clear ice. The lake formed after the 1911 earthquake, when a landslide dammed the gorge and flooded the spruce forest. In winter the trunks above the water are covered in frost.
In winter Kolsai is under snow, and the trail to the second lake is closed to unprepared hikers. The mountain road is more difficult, it gets dark early and the canyon trails are slippery. Plan a winter trip with time to spare and bring warm footwear.
Pros of winter: unusual shots of the frozen lake, empty trails, snow on the canyon walls. Cons: frost, black ice on the passes, short days, less time at each stop. In winter, what matters most is an experienced driver and a vehicle fit for mountain roads.
Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy weather by month
| Months | Charyn Canyon | Kolsai | Kaindy |
|---|---|---|---|
| December-February | frost, slippery trails, few people | under snow and ice | ice, spruces visible through it |
| March-April | warm days, cold nights | snow on the shore, wet trail | road washed out or closed |
| May | comfortable, green steppe | water thaws and brightens | road opens |
| June-August | hot, go early in the morning | peak season, vivid water | turquoise water, many people |
| September | warm, the heat eases | yellow slopes, fewer people | quiet, clear water |
| October-November | cool, comfortable for walking | cold mornings, early snow | cold, short days |
Charyn Canyon season: when the canyon is most comfortable
The season at Charyn Canyon lasts longer than at the lakes: the canyon lies lower, the snow melts earlier and the road to it is paved. The most comfortable months are April, May, September and October. In summer the canyon is open, but walking through the Valley of Castles is more pleasant before noon.
For photos in the canyon, light matters. Morning sun lights up the red walls of the Valley of Castles and casts deep shadows. At noon the light is harsh and the colours look flat. In the evening the walls glow warm again, but day-tour groups are at the lakes by then.
The Black Canyon and the Moon Canyon near Charyn follow the same rules: heat in summer, wind in spring and autumn. The Moon Canyon is included in the VIP and two-day tours, and you can read more about it in our article on the Moon Canyon. For the road and routes around Charyn, see our guide on how to get to Charyn Canyon.
Weekdays, weekends and public holidays at Kolsai and Kaindy
Kolsai and Kaindy are busiest on summer Saturdays and Sundays and during long weekends: Nauryz in March (the spring New Year holiday, 21-23 March), the May holidays (1, 7 and 9 May) and Capital City Day (6 July, a national holiday). On these days there are queues at the car parks, and it is hard to get a shot of the shore without people. On weekdays it is noticeably quieter by the water.
If you work on weekdays, go on Saturday or Sunday: a day trip needs no time off. If your schedule is flexible, choose a Tuesday or Thursday: fewer people and more room on the shore.
| Format | Departure days | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| 6-location tour | Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday | Setra coach, optional UAZ ride to Kaindy for 2,500 KZT |
| VIP 7-location tour | every day | Mercedes Sprinter for up to 16 people, Moon Canyon, UAZ included |
| Two-day 7-location tour | every day | overnight stay in Saty, a morning at Kaindy without crowds |
Day trip or overnight to Charyn and Kolsai: choosing by season
A day trip to Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy takes about 18 hours: you leave at 5 am and get back to Almaty late in the evening. In summer you see every stop in daylight. In spring, autumn and winter it gets dark earlier, and the last stops are seen at dusk.
The overnight option in Saty solves this. On the first day the group covers Charyn and Kolsai, and on the second Kaindy, the Black Canyon and the Moon Canyon. The morning at Kaindy is free of crowds, and the drive is split into two parts. It suits families with children, older travellers and anyone who finds long drives tiring. Active travellers in summer can do the day trip.
What to pack for Charyn and Kolsai in each season
- Spring: waterproof shoes, a raincoat and a warm layer for the lakes.
- Summer: a hat, sunscreen, 1.5-2 litres of water per person and a light jacket for Kolsai.
- Autumn: layers, plus a hat and gloves for the morning at the lakes.
- Winter: winter boots with thick soles, thermal underwear, a thermos and ice cleats for slippery trails.
- All year round: a power bank, cash, a personal first-aid kit and snacks for the road.
Mistakes when choosing dates for Charyn and Kolsai
- Going to Kaindy in April and running into a washed-out road.
- Visiting the canyon at noon in July without water or a sun hat.
- Packing summer clothes in September and freezing at Kolsai in the morning.
- Planning a hike to the second Kolsai lake early in the season, when there is still snow on the trail. The three lakes are covered in detail in our article Kolsai Lakes: first, second and third.
- Not checking public holidays and ending up in the busiest days of the year.
FAQ: best time to visit Charyn and Kolsai
Which month is best for a trip to Kolsai?
June to September: the roads are open, the water is vivid and it is fresh by the lakes.
Can I visit Kaindy in winter?
Yes, Panda Travel runs trips to Kolsai and Kaindy in winter too. The spruces are visible in the ice, but the road is harder and the days are shorter. Bring winter boots and ice cleats, and see the programme on the 6-location tour page.
When is it not too hot in Charyn Canyon?
In spring and autumn. In summer, go early in the morning, before noon.
When are there the fewest tourists at Kolsai and Kaindy?
On weekdays and outside the summer season: in spring, late autumn and winter.
When is the water at Kolsai and Kaindy most vivid?
In summer and early autumn, on a sunny day around noon.
Is it worth going in the rain?
Light rain will not spoil a walk by the lakes. In heavy rain the dirt road to Kaindy turns to mud and the canyon trails become slippery.
When can you see golden autumn at Kolsai?
From mid-September to early October, depending on the weather in a given year.
Picked your season? Check out the 6-location tour by Panda Travel: Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy in one day with a guide and transfer from Almaty.
