Kolsay lakes
Two days tour: Charyn canyon. Kolsay, Kaindy lakes.
Three days tour: Charyn canyon. Kolsay, Kaindy lakes. Assy plateau.
Three days tour: Charyn, Temirlik canyons. Kolsay, Kaindy lakes
Three days tour: Altyn-Emel national park. Kolsay, Kaindy lakes.
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The
great lake group of Kolsay is located 290 kilometers in the
south-east of Almaty. The way goes past the villages Nura, Chilik and
the Kokpek mountain pass that is 13 kilometers long. There was a
giant mudflow in 1991 that totally destroyed the way and in 1993 the
way has been reconstructed. Passing Kokpek the way enters the
Sugatinsk valley that is surrounded by the Sugatinsk mountains in the
south and the Toru-Aigyr mountains from the north. Kolsay are three
lakes located high in the mountains of the Kungey-Alatau range and
are also called the "pearls” of the northern Tien-Shan’
mountains with steep pine-wooded slopes. The lakes are located at the
altitude of 1700 (Kolsai - 1), 2252 (Kolsai- 2) and 2650 (Kolsai-3)
meters above the sea level. The lakes depths are quite impressive:
the first lake’s maximum depth is 80 meters; the second lake is
about 50 meters deep. All the lakes were formed by some giant
landslides when the speedy river flow in the gorge was blocked by
those huge natural dams.The water in all the lakes is dark and flows
through them, so all the lakes are connected one with another by the
Kolsay river. A lot of trout inhabit the lakes, except the lake
Kolsai-3 that is the coldest from all of them. The lake Kolsai-1 (H
1818) is located 295 kilometers far from Almaty in a gorge. It is 1,5
kilometers long and it is surrounded by the Tien-Shan fir trees that
seem to grow here just for the special purpose – to decorate and
save this piece of paradise. The lake water is absolutely crystal
clear. The sky reflecting in the lake gives to it an amazing blue
colour. So it may be even difficult to distinguish between the sky
and the smooth surface of the lake if you are lucky to take some good
photographs. And even if you come to see this lake again and again,
you definitely won’t stop wondering the innocence of nature. The
visitors seeing this beauty for the first time are amazed by the
breathtaking view of the lake, its water, by the purity of the
mountain air and by the beauty of the woods. The pure lake water is
inhabited by the marvellous trout. The fishing funs come here to
enjoy their hobby. This lake is the most easily accessible for the
tourists and anyone can visit it if desired.
 It will take several
hours walking along the western pass to reach the second lake
(H-2252) that is heart-shaped. There are lots of people visiting this
place; some of them are there for mushroom picking. At sunset one can
smell the scent of sweet honey emitted by the grass and flowers and
see the rainbow trout jumping out of the water. You can walk with
backpack or you can ride a horse or you can let a horse carry your
luggage and enjoy the natural beauty and the life itself. This place
seems to be created for the long walks especially when you walk from
one lake to another. Every year some brave hearted people start their
walking to the Issyk-Kul lake from this lake.The third lake Kolsai-3
(H2900) is the smallest and the coldest one. It is surrounded by
amazing rocky brinks covered with a splendid bush wood. This lake is
the last in the great lakes group created by the nature. The walking
to this lake is quite challenging, and not everyone can take it, so
it is the purest and the most untouched lake from all.The one who was
lucky to see these mountain lakes will never forget their brilliancy
surrounded by the peaceful silence. When the lakes surface is
absolutely smooth it reflects the sky and the mountain landscape. The
lakes may simply bewitch you when you look at them surrounded by some
rocks, woods, Alpine meadows and glades with a lot of edelweiss -
this tender olive-coloured mountain emblem. The tours to the lakes of
Kolsay are interesting in all seasons. But visiting lakes is
particularly exciting during the period of the summer holidays when
it is possible to spend three or four days on visiting this place to
fully enjoy its beauty.The way from Almaty to the lakes is
interesting as well. The expectation of seeing the spectacular lakes
makes the way exciting and there will be a lot of nice sceneries on
the way, too.  The warm period continues from May to October and during
this time there are a lot of visitors for mushroom picking, fishing,
mountain walking and horse riding. But also in winter when it is cold
there are some brave tourists who come to the Kolsay lakes for skiing
and walking. This place is also actively visited by the local people
who really love the gorgeous nature of the mountains, both by those
who has just recently discovered Chimbulak and for those who has
travelled around the half of the world. So do not hesitate to visit
the Kolsay lakes – the gem of the Kazakhstan nature that is really
unique and beautiful and see these spectacular landscapes in
person.Please use the links below for more detailed Kolsay lakes tour
description. Two and three days tour from Almaty to the Kolsay lakes.
The Kolsay lakes are one of the most beautiful places of the Almaty
region and it is for sure one of the most amazing natural spots worth
seeing in Kazakhstan. We wish you a nice journey and many
unforgettable impressions!The article has been prepared using the
information from the open sources. |
