Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes - Kazakhstan

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

Sammez — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:44:58 +0000

Good choice! Kaindy is one-of-a-kind with its sunken forest.

You’ll need a 4x4 to get there. From the parking area, it’s a 15-minute walk downhill.
For Kolsai, any car will do. It’s a 5–10 minute walk to the first lake, which takes about 1.5 hours to circle.

Enjoy your trip!

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

Mirehiko — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:44:34 +0000

Thanks! That’s exactly the info I needed. I’ll focus on Kaindy if transport isn’t available—its submerged trees are unique.

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

Sammez — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:44:10 +0000

If you’re not driving, overnight in Saty—locals rent rooms cheaply.

First Kolsai Lake is accessible by regular cars.
Kaindy Lake requires a jeep.

Seeing two lakes in one day is possible but rushed. Remember, Kolsai has three lakes. To explore all three, you’ll need at least two days.

From Saty to Charyn: hire a local driver. Hitchhiking is unlikely, and the canyon is 10 km off the main road.

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

Mirehiko — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:43:41 +0000

I’m heading to the lakes in spring and want to see Kaindy, Kolsai, and the Charyn Canyon in two days. Staying overnight in a yurt sounds amazing, but I’m unsure where they’re located.

Can I see two lakes in one day if I start early? Any tips on affordable transport between the lakes?

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

Sammez — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:42:32 +0000

Accommodation: You can usually find a room in Saty without a reservation.
Transportation: That’s trickier. Consider booking a tour company—they’ll handle both the transport and lodging.

FYI:

Kolsai Lakes (3 in total) and Kaindy Lake are near Saty.
Charyn Canyon is about 100 km back toward Almaty, so it’s best to visit on the return trip.
Skip Bartogai Reservoir—it’s not worth it if you’ve seen the lakes.

For comfort, stay in one of the lakeside cottages instead of Saty. They’re more expensive but convenient.

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

VorVog — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:41:37 +0000

Can we find accommodation in Saty without prior booking? We’re traveling with kids, so it’s a bit concerning that no one has replied to our inquiries yet.

Also, is it easy to find transportation locally to the lakes, the canyon, and Bartogai Lake?

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

Sammez — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:40:59 +0000

In winter, you likely won’t get past the first lake. The snow in the mountains is at least a meter deep

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

SmallJack — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:40:11 +0000

Winter there is stunning, though the icy winds can be brutal. If you can, get local contacts in advance and arrange accommodations. In the off-season, any income is a blessing for locals.

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

zaramag — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:39:22 +0000

You can visit Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes in winter. For accommodations:

Check with local residents—they might have heated housing for rent.
Near the lake (on the left side), there are cottages, possibly called “Zhibek Zholy.” Look them up on kolsaylakes.kz_ for contact details and availability.

Regarding Charyn Canyon:

You can visit on the way back from Kolsai, but there’s nowhere to stay overnight.

For Altyn Emel:

Forget about it in winter. The park requires overnight stays, but the only available guesthouses are suited for warm weather. It’s not suitable for large groups in winter.

RE: Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes

ACherry — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 11:37:44 +0000

renting a yurt for an authentic experience

What about offseason? We’re planning a trip in January with a group of 10–12 people. The plan is:

Drive from Almaty to the lakes.
Stay overnight.
Visit Charyn Canyon.
Head to Altyn Emel before returning to Almaty.

With short daylight hours in January, returning to Almaty each night isn’t an option. I can’t find accommodations online for these areas. I’m worried we won’t find enough space for everyone. Any advice?