Kolsay Lakes from Almaty: A Complete Guide to the Pearls of the Tien Shan
The Kolsay Lakes are a chain of three alpine lakes high in the Tien Shan mountains southeast of Almaty — often called the "Pearls of the Northern Tien Shan." Together with nearby Lake Kaindy and its famous sunken forest, they are the most beautiful mountain destination within reach of the city. This guide explains where they are, the difference between the three lakes, how to get there, and what the hike is really like.
Where are the Kolsay Lakes?
The Kolsay Lakes sit about 300 km southeast of Almaty, deep inside Kolsai Lakes National Park near the village of Saty. Driving straight there takes around five to six hours, so almost nobody visits them on their own — most travelers reach them as part of a longer loop that also takes in Charyn Canyon and Lake Kaindy on the same road.
The three lakes
There are three lakes, each higher and harder to reach than the last:
- Lower Kolsay (the first lake) — at about 1,800 m, this is the largest and most visited. A vehicle gets you almost to the shore, and you can walk the forested edge or rent a boat. This is the lake our day tour reaches.
- Middle Kolsay (the second lake) — at about 2,250 m, a steady 4–5 hour round-trip hike up through spruce forest from the first lake. The reward is a quieter, even more vivid blue lake.
- Upper Kolsay (the third lake) — close to the Kyrgyzstan border, reachable only by a long hike or on horseback, and it requires a border-zone permit arranged in advance.
Kolsay or Kaindy? They're not the same
Visitors often mix these up. The Kolsay Lakes are the three classic alpine lakes above. Lake Kaindy is a separate, smaller lake in a neighbouring valley, created by a 1911 earthquake that dammed the river — its claim to fame is the eerie "sunken forest" of bleached spruce trunks still standing in the clear turquoise water. Most good trips visit both, because they sit close together.
How to get to the Kolsay Lakes from Almaty
- Self-drive — possible, but it's a long mountain drive on roads that get rough near Saty, with no English signage, and you'd struggle to fit Charyn and Kaindy in as well.
- Private tour — the practical choice. A guide drives, handles the national-park fees, and combines the lakes with Charyn Canyon in one planned day.
Our day tour links all three highlights — Charyn Canyon → Lake Kaindy → the first Kolsay Lake — in a single trip. (See the full breakdown in our Charyn Canyon day-trip guide.)
The hike: how hard is it?
Reaching the first lake is easy — a short, flat walk suitable for any fitness level. Going up to the second lake is a proper hike: about 4–5 hours there and back, climbing through forest, best for travelers who are reasonably fit and have a full day to spare. If hiking the upper lakes is your main goal, an overnight near Saty works far better than a day trip — just ask and we'll arrange a custom itinerary.
When to go
The lakes are at their best from late spring to October; in winter the access road can be difficult and the upper trails close. For a season-by-season breakdown, see our guide on the best time to visit Charyn Canyon and the Kolsay Lakes.
What to bring
- Warm layers — even in summer it's cool at altitude, and weather changes fast.
- Proper walking shoes — essential if you plan to hike toward the second lake.
- Sunscreen, hat and water — the sun is strong up high.
- Cash — for park fees if you go independently, and snacks along the way.
See the Kolsay Lakes with us
We run a private, full-day tour from Almaty that reaches the first Kolsay Lake along with Charyn Canyon and Lake Kaindy. It's $200 per vehicle for up to 4 people (not per person) and includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking local guide, and the national-park entrance fees.
See the Charyn Canyon + Kolsay tour or message us on WhatsApp — we usually reply within about 15 minutes. Want to hike to the upper lakes or stay overnight? Ask us about a custom trip.
Quick questions
How far are the Kolsay Lakes from Almaty? About 300 km southeast — roughly a five-to-six-hour drive, which is why they're usually visited on a full-day or multi-day tour.
Can you visit the Kolsay Lakes and Kaindy in one day? Yes. Our day tour reaches Charyn Canyon, Lake Kaindy and the first Kolsay Lake in a single 10–12 hour trip.
How much does a Kolsay Lakes tour cost? Our private tour is $200 per vehicle for up to 4 people, including pickup, guide and park fees.
Do you need a permit for the Kolsay Lakes? Only for the third (upper) lake near the Kyrgyz border. The first and second lakes need just the standard national-park entry fee.
Can you swim in the Kolsay Lakes? The water is very cold year-round, so swimming isn't really the draw — most people come for the scenery, the walks and boating on the first lake.