Kazakhstan / Charyn & the Kolsai Lakes / Kolsai Lakes & Kaindy (Saty)Kolsai Lakes & Kaindy (Saty)
Mountain Lakes and the Sunken Forest of Kaindy
Three lakes stepped up a spruce valley of the northern Tien Shan, in the Kolsai-Kolderi National Park, five to six hours from Almaty by road via Charyn. The lower lake (about 1,800 m) has a road to its shore; the middle lake is a 9 km hike up, and the upper lake a long day beyond, near the Kyrgyz border. Kaindy Lake, formed when an earthquake dammed the valley in 1911, has the trunks of drowned spruces standing out of the water; a 4x4 track and a short walk reach it. Saty village has homestays with meals. From about November to April snow closes the roads at times and most homestays shut; the upper trails are for June to September.
Highlights
- Lower Kolsai lake in its spruce valley
- Hike to the middle lake
- The drowned spruces of Kaindy Lake
- Horse rides from Saty
- Homestay dinners in Saty
- Charyn Canyon on the way
Things to do
- Lower Kolsai lake shore walkAfternoon · 2h
- Hike to the middle Kolsai lake and backMorning · 6h
- 4x4 and walk to Kaindy LakeMorning · 3h 30m
- Horse ride along the lower lakeAfternoon · 2h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: June – September
Worth knowing
Snow on the Roads to Kolsai and Kaindy
From about November to April snow closes the road to Saty and the Kaindy track at times, the lakes freeze, most Saty homestays shut and the trails to the upper lakes are closed. Winter trips go by 4x4 with a local driver, road permitting; check the road and book a room before you leave Almaty, and keep a spare day before a flight home.