Tours to Kolsai and Kaindy

Kolsai and Kaindy: our tours to the lakes of the Northern Tian Shan

Kolsai and Kaindy are two of the most famous lakes in the Zailiysky Alatau and the Kungey Alatau, the mountain ranges that rise to the south and southeast of Almaty. The lakes sit in the Tian Shan system, in a belt of spruce forests, alpine meadows and steep scree slopes that begins roughly 250–300 km from the city by road. This is the part of Kazakhstan where turquoise water, drowned trees and high passes are packed into a relatively small area, which is why almost every visitor who comes to Almaty for more than a few days ends up asking about Kolsai and Kaindy.

We run five routes in this section, and they differ not only in price but in pace, transport and the amount of walking. The shortest is a one-day bus trip to Kolsai; the longest is a four-day trek across the Kolsai lakes to Kaindy with nights in guest houses. Between them are a two-day group tour by car, a private one-day car tour to both lakes, and a one-day jeep tour to Kaindy with a stop at Charyn. Each option suits a different traveller, and the choice usually comes down to how much time you have and how much you want to walk.

Below we describe the geography of the area, the seasons, the routes, the preparation and the practical details. We do not invent services or prices: the prices you see in the tour cards are the prices we publish, and anything extra is paid separately on the spot, with the cost confirmed at booking.

Where Kolsai and Kaindy actually are

Kolsai is a chain of three lakes in the Kungey Alatau, the range that runs along the border with Kyrgyzstan. The lakes are known as the Lower, Middle and Upper Kolsai, and they sit at roughly 1,800 m, 2,250 m and 2,850 m above sea level. The Lower Kolsai is the one most visitors see, because the road reaches it; the Middle and Upper lakes are reached on foot, and the trail between them climbs steadily through spruce forest and open slopes.

Kaindy is a separate lake, about 11 km from the Lower Kolsai as the crow flies, in a side valley of the same range. It is famous for the drowned spruce trunks that stick out of the water. The lake formed in the early 20th century after a landslide blocked the valley and flooded a stand of Tian Shan spruce; the cold water preserved the trunks, and today they look like masts rising from a green-blue surface. Kaindy sits at around 1,860 m, and the water temperature rarely rises above 6 °C even in summer.

The road from Almaty to the Kolsai area runs east and then turns south into the mountains. The drive is roughly 280 km each way and takes about 4–5 hours in good conditions. On the way you cross the Kok-Pek pass, pass Kegen and reach the village of Saty, which is the last settlement before the lakes and the usual base for guest houses and shops.

What you see on the drive from Almaty

The first part of the drive out of Almaty is plain and hot in summer: the road runs east through steppe and dry foothills and climbs over the Kok-Pek pass. After Kegen the landscape begins to change, and the road turns south into the Kungey Alatau. The second half of the drive is the scenic part: the valley narrows, poplars and willows appear along the river, and the slopes on both sides rise into spruce forest.

Near Saty the road becomes a mountain track, and the last 15–20 km to the Lower Kolsai is unpaved. In dry weather a normal car can manage it slowly; after rain the track gets muddy and a higher-clearance vehicle is more comfortable. The drive is part of the experience, not just a transfer: you gain almost 1,500 m of altitude between the Ili valley and the lakes, and the vegetation changes from desert to alpine meadow within a couple of hours.

On the return leg, many groups stop at the Charyn canyon viewpoint if the route includes it. Charyn is a different landscape again: dry, red and heavily eroded, with the Valley of Castles as the best-known section. The detour adds time, so it is usually built into the Kaindy jeep tour rather than into the shorter Kolsai trips.

How the five tours differ

The two-day group tour to Kolsai and Kaindy is the most balanced option. It runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, uses a car or minibus, and includes one night at a guest house near the lakes. You see the Lower Kolsai on the first day, walk to the Middle lake if the group is up for it, and visit Kaindy on the second day before returning to Almaty in the evening. This is the route to choose if you want to see both lakes without rushing.

The private one-day tour to both lakes is the fastest way to see Kolsai and Kaindy in a single day. It runs daily, with the departure time set on request, takes about 13 hours door to door, and uses a car. It suits travellers who have only one free day in Almaty and are willing to spend most of it on the road and on short walks. The pace is tighter than on the two-day tour, and there is no night in the mountains.

The one-day group bus tour to Kolsai is the cheapest way to see the Lower lake. It runs on Saturday and Sunday, takes about 15 hours, and uses a bus. There is no Kaindy on this route, and no overnight stay. The Kaindy jeep tour runs on Saturday and Sunday, takes about 14 hours, and uses a jeep; it focuses on Kaindy and includes a stop at Charyn on the way back. The four-day trek is the most demanding: it is a walking route with three nights in guest houses, and it covers the Lower, Middle and Upper Kolsai lakes as well as Kaindy.

Kolsai and Kaindy: seasons and weather month by month

The lakes sit at 1,800–2,850 m, so the season is shorter than in Almaty and the weather changes faster. The road to the Lower Kolsai is usually clear from late April or early May until late October, depending on snowfall in a given year. Kaindy is reachable in the same window, but the last stretch to the lake is a walking trail, and in wet weather it gets slippery. Winter access is possible in some years but is not part of our regular routes.

Summer is the most reliable season for a first visit. From June to August the days are warm at the lakes, often 20–25 °C in the afternoon, while nights at the guest houses can drop to 5–10 °C. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in July and August, and they can arrive quickly over the ridges. A rain jacket and a warm layer are worth carrying even on a clear morning.

Spring and autumn are quieter and often more beautiful, but less predictable. In May the lower slopes are green and the water is high with snowmelt; in September and early October the forest turns yellow and the air is clear. Snow can fall at the lakes from mid-October, and the road may close without much warning. If you travel in the shoulder season, build in some flexibility.

Why summer afternoons are risky

In the Tian Shan, convective clouds build over the ridges from late morning, and by 14:00–16:00 they often produce rain, hail or thunder. On the open slopes above the Middle Kolsai there is little shelter, and the trail can become slick. This is one reason the two-day tour spreads the walking over two days instead of pushing everything into one afternoon.

Lightning is a real hazard on the upper trails in July and August. If you hear thunder, it is better to descend below the tree line rather than continue to the Upper lake. The forest around the Lower and Middle lakes offers some protection, but the meadows above are exposed. Guides on our routes adjust the plan when the weather turns.

Water levels also matter. In May and early June, snowmelt makes the streams crossing the trail higher and faster. The crossings are usually manageable, but they require attention, and in a heavy melt year some sections can be impassable for a day or two. By late July the water drops, and the trails are at their easiest.

What the weather means for each tour

The one-day bus tour to Kolsai is the most weather-sensitive, because it has no spare time. If the group is delayed by rain on the track, the visit to the lake is shortened. The private one-day tour has a little more flexibility, since the departure time is set on request and the car can wait. The two-day tour is the most forgiving: if the first afternoon is wet, the second morning is often clear.

The Kaindy jeep tour depends on the condition of the last trail to the lake. After heavy rain the path can be muddy, and the walk takes longer. The Charyn stop on the way back is less affected by mountain weather, but it can be very hot in July and August, so a hat and water are useful.

The four-day trek is the most exposed to weather, because it spends three nights in the mountains and crosses higher ground. A day of rain on a trek is not a disaster, but two or three wet days make the route harder and less enjoyable. If you book the trek, keep some flexibility in your plans for the days after it.

Kolsai and Kaindy: route by route, hour by hour

Each of our five routes has a different rhythm, and the differences matter more than the names suggest. A one-day tour to Kolsai and a one-day tour to Kaindy look similar on paper, but they involve different roads, different walking and different amounts of driving. The two-day tour and the four-day trek overlap in the middle but start and end very differently.

Below we describe what a typical day looks like on each route. Times are approximate and depend on the group, the weather and the road. The point is not to promise a minute-by-minute schedule but to show how much of the day is spent in the vehicle, how much on foot, and where the highlights fall.

Two-day group tour to Kolsai and Kaindy

Departure from Almaty is early in the morning, usually around 06:00–07:00. The drive to Saty takes about 4.5–5 hours with a short stop. From Saty it is another 30–40 minutes on the mountain track to the Lower Kolsai. The group arrives around midday, has lunch, and then walks along the shore and, if the group is fit, up to the Middle lake. The climb to the Middle lake is about 4–5 km with 400–450 m of ascent, and it takes 1.5–2 hours one way at a relaxed pace.

The night is spent at a guest house near the Lower Kolsai or in Saty. Accommodation is simple: shared rooms or small cabins, hot water when the boiler is working, and meals cooked on site. In the evening there is time to walk along the shore, watch the light change on the water, and rest. Nights are cool even in July, so a warm layer is useful.

On the second day the group drives to Kaindy, about 11 km from the Lower Kolsai, and walks the last 1.5–2 km to the lake. The trail is gentle but can be muddy. After Kaindy the group returns to Almaty, arriving in the evening, at around 19:00 depending on traffic and stops.

Private one-day tour to both lakes

This route is built around a single long day. Departure time is set on request, but an early start (05:00–06:00) is strongly recommended, because the day includes roughly 9–10 hours of driving and 2–3 hours of walking. The car takes you first to Kaindy for the drowned forest; then to Kolsai, where you have time for the Lower lake and a short walk; then back to Almaty.

Because the tour is private, the pace can be adjusted. If you want more time at Kaindy, you can shorten the Kolsai stop, and vice versa. The trade-off is that there is no overnight rest, and the last two hours of the drive back are usually in the dark. This route suits travellers who are comfortable with a long day and want to see both lakes without booking a night in the mountains.

A picnic with tea and snacks is included; a café lunch is optional and paid separately. Any additional stops you may want to add, such as a detour to Charyn, are agreed at booking.

One-day bus tour to Kolsai

The bus tour is the simplest and the cheapest way to see the Lower Kolsai. It runs on Saturday and Sunday, takes about 15 hours, and follows the same road as the other tours. The bus is larger and slower on the mountain track, so the schedule is tighter. The group usually reaches the lake at around 11:00, spends about five hours there, and starts the return journey at around 16:00.

There is no Kaindy on this route, and no overnight stay. Most of the walking is along the shore of the Lower lake, and those who wish can walk up the trail towards the Middle lake. The bus tour is aimed at travellers who want a taste of the mountains and a day away from the city without a long walk.

Because the group is larger, departure and return times are fixed, and the bus cannot wait for latecomers. Punctuality matters. The advantage is the low price and the fact that everything is organised: you just show up at the meeting point and get on the bus.

Kaindy jeep tour with Charyn

The jeep tour focuses on Kaindy and adds Charyn on the way back. It runs on Saturday and Sunday, takes about 14 hours, and uses a jeep, which is better suited to the rough track to Kaindy than a bus. The drive to the Kaindy area takes about 3 hours, and the walk from the parking area to the lake is 1.5–2 km, mostly flat but often muddy.

At Kaindy there is time to walk around the lake and photograph the drowned trunks. The water is cold and deep, and swimming is not recommended. After Kaindy the group drives to Charyn, where the stop is usually 1–1.5 hours at the main viewpoint. Charyn is hot and dry in summer, so water and sun protection are important. The return to Almaty is in the evening.

This route is a good choice if you have already seen Kolsai, or if you are more interested in Kaindy and Charyn than in the Kolsai lakes. It is also a good option for travellers who prefer a smaller vehicle and a more flexible pace than the bus tour allows.

Four-day trek across the Kolsai lakes

The trek is the most demanding route in this section. It runs on a schedule, takes four days and three nights, and is done on foot. The route covers the Lower, Middle and Upper Kolsai lakes and then crosses to Kaindy, with nights in guest houses. Daily walking is typically 10–15 km with 500–800 m of ascent, depending on the stage.

Day one is the drive from Almaty to Saty with a stop at Charyn canyon. Day two is the walk to the Lower and then the Middle Kolsai lake. Day three climbs to the Upper lake, the highest point of the route at around 2,850 m, and then visits Kaindy. Day four is the drive back to Almaty. The climb to the Upper lake is the most demanding part, and it requires a reasonable level of fitness.

Accommodation on the trek is in guest houses, not tents, which means you carry a lighter pack. Even so, you need good shoes, a rain jacket and warm layers. The trek is not technical: there is no climbing, no ropes and no glacier travel. But it is a real mountain walk, and the weather can change quickly. If you are not used to walking uphill for several hours, the trek will be hard.

Kolsai and Kaindy: how to prepare and what to bring

Preparation for Kolsai and Kaindy is mostly about clothing, footwear and expectations. The lakes are not a resort: services are limited, the weather is mountain weather, and the trails are rough in places. The good news is that none of the routes require special equipment or technical skills. A reasonable level of fitness and a sensible packing list are enough for the one-day and two-day tours.

The trek requires more preparation, mainly because of the daily walking distances and the altitude. The highest point is around 2,850 m, which is not extreme, but it is high enough that some people feel the altitude on the first climb. If you have not been above 2,000 m before, take the first day slowly and drink more water than usual.

Below is a practical list of what to bring and how to think about fitness. It applies to all five routes, with adjustments for the trek and for the one-day tours.

Clothing and footwear

Layers are the key. A typical summer day at the lakes can start at 10 °C, reach 24 °C in the afternoon and drop to 8 °C after sunset. A base layer, a fleece or light down jacket, and a waterproof shell cover most situations. Cotton is a poor choice for walking, because it stays wet and cools you down. Synthetic or wool layers dry faster.

Footwear matters more than anything else. Trainers with a decent tread are fine for the one-day tours and the shore walks. For the climb to the Middle lake and for the trek, hiking boots with ankle support are better, especially on the loose scree above the tree line. Sandals are not suitable for any of the trails.

Add a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. The sun at 2,000 m is stronger than in Almaty, and the reflection from the water adds to it. A buff or light scarf is useful against dust on the track and against mosquitoes in the evening.

What to put in your daypack

• Water: at least 1.5–2 litres per person for a day tour, more for the trek.
• Snacks: nuts, dried fruit, chocolate, energy bars; meals are not always available on time.
• Rain jacket and a warm layer, even if the morning is clear.
• Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.
• Personal first-aid items: plasters, painkillers, any prescription medicine.
• Power bank and a spare memory card for the camera.
• Cash in tenge for meals, drinks and small purchases; card payment is not reliable near the lakes.
• A small towel and a change of socks, especially after rain.

Fitness and altitude

The one-day bus tour and the private one-day tour require only short walks, so almost anyone who can walk for an hour on uneven ground can join. The two-day tour includes an optional climb to the Middle lake, which is 4–5 km with 400–450 m of ascent; if you skip it, the tour is still worthwhile, because the Lower lake is the main attraction for many visitors.

The trek is a different level. Four days of walking with a pack, including the climb to the Upper lake, requires regular exercise in the weeks before. If you can walk 12–15 km in a day with a light pack and climb 500 m without stopping often, you are ready. If not, start training a month or two in advance, and consider the two-day tour instead.

Altitude effects are usually mild at these heights, but headaches and shortness of breath are possible on the first climb. The best response is to slow down, drink water and avoid alcohol on the first night. If symptoms get worse, descending is the right decision. Age and weight limits for our tours are confirmed at booking, because they depend on the route and the group.

Kolsai and Kaindy: practical details and local rules

The Kolsai and Kaindy area is part of a protected natural zone, and some parts of it lie close to the state border with Kyrgyzstan. This has practical consequences: certain areas require permits, and some trails are closed to visitors without them. The rules are not aimed at tourists, but they are enforced, and it is better to know about them before you travel.

There are also local services that are not part of our tours: horse rental, boat rental on the Lower Kolsai, guided fishing, and hunting in designated areas outside the protected zone. These are arranged locally and paid separately. We do not publish prices for them, because they change and are set by the providers on the spot.

Finally, there is the question of what to expect from the guest houses and cafes. They are simple, friendly and often family-run. Hot water and electricity can be intermittent, and mobile signal is weak or absent at the lakes. This is part of the experience, but it is worth knowing in advance.

Permits and border rules

The Kungey Alatau forms the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, and the border zone extends several kilometres into the mountains. Some trails above the Kolsai lakes and around Kaindy require a border permit, which is issued in advance through the relevant authorities. Our routes are planned to stay within areas that do not require individual permits for the standard visits. We do not arrange border permits, but we will explain the current procedure at booking.

Foreign visitors should carry their passport at all times in this area. Border guards may check documents on the road or at the trailheads. It is also worth noting that drones are restricted in border zones and in protected areas; if you plan to fly one, check the rules first.

Fishing and hunting are regulated separately. Fishing in the Kolsai lakes is possible in some seasons with a local permit, and hunting is allowed in designated areas outside the protected zone. We do not organise these activities as part of our tours, but we can point you to local providers if you ask at booking.

Money, food and services

Cash is king near the lakes. There are no reliable ATMs in Saty, and card payment is not accepted at most guest houses and cafes. Bring enough tenge for meals, drinks, small souvenirs and any local services you may want. Prices at the guest houses are moderate, but they are set locally and can change.

Meals on the one-day tours are usually at roadside cafes on the way, or at the guest houses near the lakes. On the two-day tour and the trek, meals at the guest houses are often included in the tour, but additional drinks and snacks are paid separately. If you have dietary requirements, tell us at booking so the guest house can prepare.

Mobile signal is weak in the valleys and absent at some points on the trails. Do not rely on your phone for navigation or for meeting up with the group. If you are travelling independently, tell someone your plan before you leave Almaty, because there may be no way to contact them from the lakes.

Local nature and wildlife

The forests around Kolsai and Kaindy are Tian Shan spruce, a slow-growing species that is sensitive to fire and cutting. Campfires are restricted, and in dry periods they are banned. Take all rubbish back to Almaty or to Saty; there are no reliable waste collection points at the lakes.

Wildlife in the area includes ibex on the high slopes, roe deer in the forest, and marmots in the meadows. Bears are rare but present in the wider region, so do not leave food out and do not walk alone at dusk. Most encounters happen when people leave food unattended, so keep your bags closed and your snacks inside your pack.

The lakes themselves are cold and deep. Swimming is possible for a minute or two in summer for the hardy, but the water is around 6–10 °C even in August, and the bottom drops away quickly. Kaindy is especially cold because of its depth and the shade of the drowned forest. If you go in, stay close to the shore and never swim alone.

Kolsai and Kaindy: which tour to choose

The choice between our five routes comes down to three questions: how much time you have, how much you want to walk, and whether you want to spend a night in the mountains. If you have one day and want to see both lakes, the private one-day tour is the only option that fits. If you have one day and want the lowest price, the bus tour to Kolsai is the answer, but it does not include Kaindy.

If you have two days, the group tour to Kolsai and Kaindy gives you the most complete experience without a demanding walk. If you want Kaindy and Charyn in one day, the jeep tour is the right choice. And if you want to walk the full chain of Kolsai lakes and cross to Kaindy on foot, the four-day trek is the only route that does it.

The table below compares the five tours on the points that usually matter most. Prices are the published prices per person; anything not listed is paid separately, and the cost is confirmed at booking.

If you have one day

The private one-day tour to both lakes is the most efficient way to see Kolsai and Kaindy in a single day. It runs daily, the departure time is set on request, and the car gives you flexibility that a bus cannot. The trade-off is a long day, with 9–10 hours of driving and a late return to Almaty. If you are not used to long drives, the bus tour to Kolsai may be more comfortable, even though it skips Kaindy.

The bus tour is also the best choice if you are travelling on a budget. It covers the Lower Kolsai, which is the classic view, and returns the same evening. The jeep tour is the best one-day option if your priority is Kaindy and you also want to see Charyn. It uses a smaller vehicle, which handles the rough track better, and the Charyn stop adds a completely different landscape to the day.

Whichever one-day tour you choose, start early and carry water. The day is long, the mountain weather can change, and the return is in the evening. A hat, sunscreen and a rain jacket are not optional in summer.

If you have two or more days

The two-day group tour is the best introduction to the area. It gives you time at the Lower Kolsai, an optional climb to the Middle lake, a night in a guest house, and a visit to Kaindy on the second day. The pace is relaxed compared with the one-day tours, and you see both lakes without spending the whole day in a vehicle. It runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which makes it easy to fit into a weekend.

The four-day trek is for travellers who want to walk the whole chain of Kolsai lakes and reach Kaindy on foot. It is the most demanding route, with 10–15 km of walking per day and a climb to the Upper lake, but it is also the most rewarding if you enjoy mountain walking. Nights are in guest houses, not tents, so you carry less and sleep warmer.

If you have more than two days but do not want a full trek, you can combine the two-day tour with a separate one-day tour, or add a rest day in Almaty between them. The area is close enough to the city that two trips in one week are possible, though most travellers prefer to see everything in one go.

Who should skip these tours

Kolsai and Kaindy are not a good fit for travellers who dislike long drives, rough roads or basic accommodation. The one-day tours involve 9–10 hours in a vehicle, and the two-day tour includes a mountain track and a simple guest house. If you need a comfortable hotel and a short transfer, this is not the right destination.

The trek is not suitable for anyone with knee, back or heart problems, or for anyone who has not walked uphill for several hours before. The climb to the Upper lake is not technical, but it is sustained, and help is far away. If you are unsure about your fitness, choose the two-day tour and see how you feel on the climb to the Middle lake.

Families with very young children should consider the one-day bus tour or the private one-day tour, where the walking is short and the vehicle is always nearby. Age and weight limits for our tours are confirmed at booking, because they depend on the route, the group and the season. If you have specific concerns, tell us when you book, and we will advise honestly.

Kolsai and Kaindy: how to book and what happens next

Booking a tour to Kolsai and Kaindy is straightforward, but the details depend on the route. The group tours run on fixed days: the two-day tour on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; the bus tour and the jeep tour on Saturday and Sunday; the trek on a schedule. The private one-day tour runs daily, with the departure time set on request. If your dates are fixed, check them against the schedule before you book.

Once you book, we confirm the meeting point and time, the vehicle, and what is included. For the two-day tour and the trek, we also confirm the guest house and the meal arrangements. For the one-day tours, we confirm the stops and the expected return time. If you have questions about the border zone, we will explain the current rules.

The final section below summarises the practical steps and the things to check before you leave Almaty. It is not a substitute for the information above, but it is a useful checklist for the last few days before departure.

Before you book

• Check your dates against the tour schedule: Friday–Sunday for the two-day tour, Saturday–Sunday for the bus and jeep tours, daily for the private tour.
• Decide how much walking you want: shore walks only, a climb to the Middle lake, or a full trek.
• Check the season: the road is usually open from late April to late October, with summer the most reliable.
• Ask about permits if your route goes near the border zone.
• Tell us about dietary needs, health conditions and any specific concerns.

Before you leave Almaty

• Withdraw enough cash in tenge; card payment is unreliable near the lakes.
• Charge your phone and power bank; signal is weak and electricity may be limited.
• Pack layers, a rain jacket, sunscreen and a hat, even for a one-day tour.
• Carry at least 1.5–2 litres of water per person for a day tour.
• Wear shoes with a good tread; bring a spare pair of socks.
• Tell someone your plan and expected return time.

What is included and what is not

The published price covers transport, the guide or driver, and the route as described. For the two-day tour and the trek, it also covers accommodation and the meals specified at booking. Personal expenses, additional drinks and snacks, local services such as horse or boat rental, and anything not listed in the tour description are paid separately, and the cost is confirmed at booking.

We do not publish prices for third-party services, because they are set locally and change. If you want to add a service, ask at booking and we will tell you what is possible. We also do not promise discounts or special offers. Cancellation is free: we take no prepayment, and payment is made on the day of the trip.

The best way to enjoy Kolsai and Kaindy is to come with realistic expectations: long drives, simple accommodation, cold water, changeable weather and some of the most memorable mountain scenery in Kazakhstan. If that sounds right, the lakes will not disappoint. If you want a resort, they are not that, and no tour can make them so.