Discover Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes:
Nature and Hiking in Kazakhstan

The Kolsay and Kaindy Lakes are among the most stunning natural destinations in Kazakhstan, offering an unforgettable immersion into the untouched beauty of the Northern Tien Shan mountains. The three Kolsay Lakes (1, 2, and 3) form a chain of high-altitude alpine reservoirs with crystal-clear azure waters, often referred to as the “Pearls of the Tien Shan.” Their placement—one above the other like beads on a necklace—creates a breathtaking mountain landscape that feels serene, pure, and timeless.

Kolsay Lake 1, located at 1,800 meters above sea level, is the most accessible and offers visitors peaceful walking trails, scenic viewpoints, and the opportunity to rent a boat or catamaran to glide across its mirror-like water. Those seeking more adventure can continue further into the mountains to reach Kolsay Lake 2, accessible via an 8 km hike or a horseback ride, rewarding travelers with deeper tranquility and dramatic alpine scenery.

Just a short distance away lies Kaindy Lake, one of the most extraordinary natural wonders of Kazakhstan. Formed after a powerful earthquake created a natural dam more than a century ago, the lake flooded a spruce forest—leaving the tops of the trees rising eerily above the turquoise surface. Beneath the cold, clear water, the entire forest remains perfectly preserved, creating a surreal underwater world found nowhere else on Earth. The lake is accessible via a mountain road, best reached with a 4WD vehicle.

Both Kolsay and Kaindy are located within Kolsay Lakes National Park, about 300–350 km from Almaty, surrounded by mountain ridges, dense spruce forests, and pristine valleys near the border with Kyrgyzstan. These lakes offer a peaceful escape from the city, with opportunities for hiking, photography, boating, horseback riding, picnicking, and experiencing authentic village life in Saty.
Accommodation options include cozy guesthouses in Saty with home-cooked meals, lakeside hotels with stunning views of Kolsay 1, or camping during the warm season for a more adventurous experience. The region is beautiful year-round—lush and refreshing in summer, golden and colorful in autumn, atmospheric and calm in spring, and magical under winter snow.

A trip to Kolsay and Kaindy is a perfect nature retreat, ideal for travelers who want to explore Kazakhstan’s alpine landscapes, enjoy mountain serenity, and witness one of the world’s most unusual natural phenomena.