Explore Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes: Day Trip from Almaty

5.0 2 reviews13 hoursPrivate tourModerateStandard comfortby Treeple
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One-day trip from Almaty to Kolsai Lake 1 and Kaindy Lake via Saty village. Included: transport, guide, eco-fees and park entrance tickets.

A nature trip to the mountain lakes of the Tien Shan, turquoise mirrors at an altitude of about 1,800 meters. The program includes the first Kolsay Lake at 1818 meters, surrounded by centuries-old spruce trees, and Kaindy Lake with spruce trunks rising out of the water after the 1911 earthquake. Saty village, the gateway to both lakes, is about 270 km from Almaty, so this is a long day of roughly 13 hours, much of it on the road, with an early start and a late-evening return. Transport, a professional guide, and all required fees are included, all you need to do is choose a date. The tour suits first-time visitors and returning travelers alike. A private departure or a small group can be arranged on request, and the route follows the pace of your group.

Highlights

  • Kolsai 1 — a lake at 1818 m in Kolsai Lakes National Park
  • Kaindy — a lake with a submerged spruce forest after the 1911 earthquake
  • Early departure from Almaty and a late-evening return the same day — about 13 hours, much of it on the road
  • All transfers are by comfortable air-conditioned transport with an experienced driver

Itinerary

Kolsay Lake
Day 1

Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes · lakeside walk and photo stop

An early start from Almaty, around 06:00, and a drive of about five hours to Saty Village, a mountain aul in Kolsai Lakes National Park, the starting base for Kolsai and Kaindy. Lunch is not included in the price; village guesthouses in Saty serve home-cooked meals. In the late morning, take a walk around the first Kolsay Lake (1818 m), surrounded by centuries-old Tien Shan spruce trees. The lake is very quiet, apart from the wind in the trees, and trout swim in its clear water near the shore. In the afternoon, visit Kaindy Lake, formed after the 1911 earthquake. Spruce trunks rise from the water like the masts of a sunken fleet, and the turquoise surface between them makes this one of Kazakhstan's most recognizable views. Drive back to Almaty, arriving late in the evening, after a long day of about 13 hours.

Want to change a day? The guide adapts the pace and stops to your group.Ask the guide →

What’s included

Included
  • Transport along the entire route
  • Professional guide services
  • All eco-fees and entrance tickets to national parks and protected natural areas
Paid separately
  • Meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners)
  • Entertainment and additional activities outside the main program
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
Good to know

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour starts — full refund. After that — according to the operator's rules.

Reviews

Questions & answers

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Practical info

Good to know

Meeting place
You choose the meeting point: an address, hotel, or airport in Almaty, arranged at booking
Suitable for
Suitable for everyone: families, seniors, couples, groups of friends, solo travelers

What to bring

  • ID card or passport
  • Comfortable shoes for walks and light trekking
  • Sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses, and a hat
  • A warm jacket or fleece — it is cool in the mountains even in summer
  • A light rain jacket or shell jacket in case of mountain showers
  • A water bottle (to refill in villages and hotels) and a light snack for the road

Safety notes

Please follow the guide's instructions, check the weather forecast before departure, and bring appropriate clothing and footwear.

Available year-round
Not sure? Ask a local expertDates, a different hotel, a child seat, another day order — we’ll reply within 2 hours.
from $380/ person