Day trip from Almaty to Kolsai Lakes Park -
Private jeep to Kaindy Lake from Almaty -
Kaindy Lake is one of the most mysterious and amazing natural places in Kazakhstan and the famous Kolsay Lakes Nature Park. The lake is famous for its flooded fir trees, which rise directly from the water, creating the effect of a mystical underwater forest. This natural phenomenon makes Kaindy Lake unique and attracts travelers, photographers and researchers from all over the world. The earthquake of 1911 was the creator of this miracle – a powerful landslide blocked the gorge of the Kainda River, forming a natural dam. In a few years, the valley filled with water, swallowing a grove of Tien Shan fir trees. Today, these trees, long dead but perfectly preserved in the icy water, have become natural art objects. Their trunks, overgrown with calcareous deposits and algae, resemble the masts of sunken ships. Due to the cold temperature of the water, the wood of the trees does not decompose, and their tops still rise above the surface. Diving is popular in the lake, therefore, with a special permit and with the availability of special diving equipment, you can swim in the lake and admire it under the water column. The transparency of the water in the lake is up to several meters. In addition to other natural attractions in the reserve, there are such attractions as the Kolsay Lakes, consisting of "Lower Lake Kolsay", "Middle Lake Kolsay" and "Upper Lake Kolsay".
How to get there and visit -
Kaindy Lake is located 280 kilometers from Almaty, near the village of Saty, Kolsai Kolderi Nature Park, Kegensky district, Almaty region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 42°59'03"N 78°27'56"E
Information -
Kaindy Lake is located at an altitude of 1,850 meters above sea level, surrounded by a beautiful forest consisting of Tien Shan spruce. The lake is 486 meters long, 115 meters wide, 30 meters deep, and 1,036 meters wide. There is a route around the lake that allows you to approach the confluence of the Kaindy River into the lake. The eastern shore of the lake has steep slopes, while the western shore is more gentle. In the south, where the river flows into the lake, there is a small bay. The name "Kaindy" is translated from Kazakh as "Birch". The surroundings of the lake are a real botanical garden. Tien Shan firs, juniper and wild apple trees grow on the slopes, and in spring the slopes are covered with a carpet of scarlet poppies and delicate edelweiss. It is especially beautiful here in September, when the larches turn gold, creating a stunning contrast with the turquoise water. There is also life under water – the flooded trunks of fir trees are overgrown with calcareous deposits and algae, turning into bizarre "coral trees". The wildlife of these places will surprise even seasoned naturalists. The surrounding forests are home to roe deer, mountain goats and rare Red Book birds, such as the bearded lambs with a wingspan of up to 3 meters. If you're lucky, in the morning you can see marals cautiously approaching the water to drink. There are several interesting routes for tourists. The most popular is to bypass the lake along the trail (about 2 km), from where you can enjoy the best views of the "underwater forest". Daredevils can climb to the observation deck on the cliff – the climb is steep, but the view from above is worth it.
Kaindy Lake is a place where nature demonstrates its amazing ability to turn a disaster into a work of art. The flooded forest, which was once a tragedy, has now become a unique natural monument that attracts travelers from all over the world.
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