Kolsay Lakes
Kolsay Lakes are a group of mountain lakes located in Southeastern Kazakhstan. Their azure waters surrounded by coniferous forest have earned them the name «the jewels of the Northern Tien Shan».
The three Kolsay Lakes are located at different heights:
The Lower Kolsay Lake lies at an altitude of 1818 meters (5965 ft). The lake stretches for 1 km (1064 yd) and reaches 80 meters (262 ft) in depth. The Lower Kolsay is easy to access by car, which makes it the most popular lake. You don’t need to worry about where to eat and where to stay – near the lake, you will find hotels, campsites, and cafes.
The Middle Kolsay Lake is located at an altitude of 2252 meters (7388 ft) and is the largest of the three. The locals call it Mynzhylky, which means «1000 horses» in Kazakh. The lake is blocked by a natural dam of fir trees, and rare white edelweiss bloom on its banks. The lake can be reached on foot, however, the hike is not easy. The distance is about 8 kilometers (5 mi) one-way; it takes about 4 hours to reach it. If you’re not up to long walks, you can go on a horse riding tour to the Middle Kolsay. You can rent a horse for a few hours near Lower Kolsay Lake.
The Upper Kolsay Lake is located at an altitude of 2850 meters (9350 ft). This lake is the smallest and the coldest of the three. It is also the cleanest and most untouched, as it is rarely visited by tourists. The Upper Kolsay is located close to the border with Kyrgyzstan, so make sure you have your ID with you before going there.
If you hike a bit higher the Upper Kolsay Lake, you’ll see picturesque alpine meadows and the Sary Bulak Pass. They say one can admire the beautiful view of Lake Issyk-Kul from the pass. However, one must be very careful not to accidentally cross the border with Kyrgyzstan.
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Things to do
The lakes are quite cold, so few people dare to swim there. However, the Kolsay Lakes are popular with divers year-round due to their glass-clear waters. The Lower and Middle Lakes are home to trout, and recreational fishing is permitted. You can also take a boat or catamaran trip along the Lower Lake.
The forests that surround the lakes offer seven hiking trails of varying difficulty. As mentioned above, you can also rent a horse and ride around the Lower Lake or take a longer trip to the other two lakes. Many people gather mushrooms, strawberries, raspberries, currants, or honeysuckle. The mountain slopes around the lakes are densely overgrown with Tien Shan spruce trees, which reach up to 50 meters (165 ft) in height and up to 2 meters (80 in) in diameter. Far from the hiking trails, there is the chance to meet wild animals, such as lynxes, weasels, badgers, muskrats, mountain goats, bears, and even snow leopards.
When to visit?
The best time to visit the lakes is from May to October. However, many people come to the Kolsay Lakes in winter to enjoy skating and skiing or admire the snow-covered forest.
In May and June, ticks are most active, so you’ll need an insect repellent spray. Be sure to always carry warm clothes and a raincoat – the weather in the mountains is unpredictable. Even in summer, it can be freezing cold in the evenings and it rains quite often.
If you yearn for some peace and quiet, then it is better not to go to the Lower Kolsay Lake on weekends when it gets crowded. However, most people visit only the Lower Lake. A lot fewer people visit the Middle Lake. As for the Upper Kolsay, you’re more likely to run into a wild animal than another person there.
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How to get there?
The lakes are located about 300 kilometers (186 mi) east of the city of Almaty, the road by car will take you 4-5 hours. From Almaty, follow the Kuljinsky Tract to the village of Malovodnoye. After you pass the village, you will see a fork in the road. Turn right and cross the bridge over the Chilik River. After you cross the bridge, turn right again towards the villages of Nura and Baiseit. Then there will be a fork in the road again. If you turn left, you’ll take the road to Chunja. You need to drive straight. You will pass the villages of Toraigyr, Zhalanash and, finally, Saty – the nearest settlement to the lakes. The Lower Kolsay is located 15 km (9 mi) southwest of Saty.
The Kolsay Lakes are part of the Kolsay Kolderi National Park, so you must pay a fee at the entrance.
The most convenient and safe way to visit the lakes is an organized tour, especially if you plan to go to the Middle or Upper Kolsay Lakes. Experienced guides will show you the most picturesque spots and convenient trails, and will do their best to make your trip worth the money paid.
Other tourist attractions near the Kolsay Lakes:
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Embark on a journey to see the natural jewels of the Almaty region – Kolsay Lakes, Lake Kaindy, and Charyn Canyon. Kolsay Lakes are a cascade of three mountain lakes situated at 1000, 2250, and 2700 meters above sea level. Meanwhile, Charyn Canyon stands as the most breathtaking canyon in the region.
-1_420x650_4ab.jpg "Kolsay Lakes Off-Road Tour")
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Ideal route for those who want to visit middle lake Kolsai, but not in traditional way, where many tourist walk. Route goes along forgotten mountain roads, forests where traces of wild animals can be found.