Day Tour to Kolsai Lakes from Almaty

A full-day or multi-day trip from Almaty to the Kolsai Lakes — three cascading alpine lakes in the northern Kungei Alatau ridge, 300 km southeast of the city, within Kolsai Lakes National Park (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve).

What to expect on the Kolsai Lakes tour from Almaty

The Kolsai Lakes tour from Almaty takes you 300 km southeast into a landscape that has earned the title “Pearl of the Tien Shan” — and for once, the marketing name isn’t an exaggeration. Three lakes sit at different elevations in a single gorge, each with its own character: the accessible Lower Lake (1,818 m), the largest and most dramatic Middle Lake (2,252 m), and the remote Upper Lake (2,850 m) near the Kyrgyz border. The water shifts between turquoise, emerald, and deep blue depending on light and season, set against steep slopes covered in Tien Shan spruce forest.

This is not a quick day trip. The 300 km drive takes 4–5 hours each way, which means a single-day visit limits you to the Lower Lake and its shoreline walk. To hike to the Middle Lake — which is the real prize — you need either a very long day (14+ hours total) or an overnight stay in Saty village. We strongly recommend the 2-day option, and offer multi-day tours that combine Kolsai with nearby Lake Kaindy and Charyn Canyon.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Almaty to Saty Village and Lower Kolsai Lake

Almaty to Saty (4–5 hours)

We pick you up early and drive east on the A3 highway toward Taldykorgan, then turn south through the Chilik Valley toward the village of Saty (population ~1,000). The drive crosses open steppe before entering the foothills of the Kungei Alatau — the mountain range that forms the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. The Kyrgyz border is just 10 km south of the lakes.

Saty is the gateway village for both Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy. It has guesthouses, small cafés, and a national park checkpoint. We stop here for registration and entry fees.

Lower Kolsai Lake (1,818 m)

From Saty, a 5 km paved road leads to the Lower Lake, also called Lake Saty. This is the most accessible of the three and the most visited — boats are available for hire, and the shoreline is popular for picnics. The lake is approximately 400 m long and reaches depths of up to 80 m. The water is intensely colored — turquoise to emerald — and surrounded by dense Tien Shan spruce forest. Water temperature even in summer rarely exceeds 6–8°C.

You can walk around the lower lake in 1.5–2 hours. The western shore trail offers the best views.

Day 2: Hike to Middle Kolsai Lake (optional Upper Lake)

Lower to Middle Kolsai Lake (3–4 hours up, 1.5–2 hours down)

The trail from the Lower Lake to the Middle Lake follows the western shore and then climbs steadily up the valley through spruce forest along the Kolsai River. The distance is approximately 8 km one way with an elevation gain of roughly 450 m. The trail is well-defined but can be muddy after rain, with some steep sections near the upper end. The hike takes 3–4 hours going up and 1.5–2 hours coming down.

The Middle Lake (Mynzhylgy) is the largest of the three — over a kilometer long and 900 m wide, at 2,252 m elevation. It sits in a wider valley with views of the high peaks of the Kungei Alatau rising above the treeline. This is the most photogenic of the three lakes and the one that appears in most travel photography of Kazakhstan.

There is no infrastructure at the Middle Lake — no cafés, no guesthouses. If you want to camp here, bring full equipment.

Middle to Upper Kolsai Lake (experienced hikers, full-day addition)

The Upper Lake sits at approximately 2,850 m, another 6 km and 600 m of elevation gain above the Middle Lake. The trail becomes rougher and steeper. This is the wildest and least visited of the three lakes — a small alpine lake surrounded by rocky terrain near the ridgeline. Reaching it and returning in a single day from Saty requires strong fitness and an early start. Most visitors who want to see the Upper Lake plan a camping trip with an overnight at the Middle Lake.

The Kolsai Lakes: geology, ecology, and what makes them special

The three lakes are of landslide-tectonic origin, formed approximately during the major earthquakes of 1887 and 1911 when landslides dammed the Kolsai River at different points. They sit in the northern part of the Kungei Alatau ridge, a sub-range of the Tien Shan, within Kolsai Lakes National Park — established in 2007 and designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The park protects serious biodiversity: 704 species of plants (12 classified as rare), 50 species of mammals, and 197 species of birds. Six mammals found here are classified as rare in Kazakhstan, including the Tien Shan brown bear, Turkestan lynx, snow leopard, and Tien Shan argali (mountain sheep). Rainbow trout swim in the lakes — evidence of the clean, cold water. You’re unlikely to see a snow leopard, but bear sightings do occur, particularly near the Middle and Upper Lakes. Your guide will know current conditions.

The spruce forests surrounding the lakes are Schrenk’s spruce (Picea schrenkiana), a species native to the Tien Shan that grows at elevations between 1,500 and 3,000 m. These are the same trees you’ll see submerged in nearby Lake Kaindy.

Saty Village: your base for the lakes

Saty (Kazakh: Саты) is a small agricultural village that has transformed into a tourism hub over the past decade. Guesthouses have proliferated, and basic tourist infrastructure now exists — small shops, cafés, horse rentals, and guide services. It’s the base for visiting both Kolsai Lakes and Lake Kaindy.

Accommodation is in family-run guesthouses with shared facilities. Expect warm hospitality, home-cooked Kazakh food, and basic but clean rooms. This is not luxury travel — it’s authentic rural Kazakhstan.

Why book a guided Kolsai Lakes tour?

The 300 km distance, unpaved roads near the park, national park registration requirements, and lack of English-language signage make independent visits logistically challenging. A guided tour handles all driving, accommodation booking in Saty, park permits, and — critically — route-finding on the trail to the Middle Lake, where the path can be unclear in snow or after rain. For multi-day trips combining Kolsai with Kaindy and Charyn Canyon, a guide with a vehicle is essentially mandatory.

FAQ: Kolsai Lakes Tour

Can I visit the Kolsai Lakes as a day trip from Almaty? Technically yes, but you’ll spend 8–10 hours driving and only have time for the Lower Lake. To hike to the Middle Lake (the highlight), plan at least 2 days with an overnight in Saty village.

Which lake is the most beautiful? The Middle Lake (Mynzhylgy) is widely considered the most scenic — it’s the largest, the most photographically dramatic, and sits in a wider valley with mountain views. The Lower Lake is lovely but more crowded. The Upper Lake is remote and wild but requires serious hiking.

Can I swim in the Kolsai Lakes? The water temperature is 6–8°C even in summer. People do wade in briefly, but extended swimming is uncomfortable and potentially dangerous due to cold water shock.

Is the trail to the Middle Lake difficult? Moderate. It’s 8 km one way with 450 m of elevation gain over a well-defined forest trail. Anyone with average fitness can complete it in 3–4 hours. The trail can be muddy after rain and has some steep sections near the Middle Lake.

Can I combine Kolsai Lakes with Kaindy and Charyn Canyon? Yes — this is the classic “Golden Triangle” of southeastern Kazakhstan. We offer 2–3 day tours that combine all three destinations, using Saty as a base. This is the most efficient way to see the region.

Is there accommodation at the lakes? Not at the lakes themselves. Guesthouses, cafés, and camping are available in Saty village (near the Lower Lake) and at campsites near the park entrance. The Middle and Upper Lakes have no infrastructure — bring camping gear if you plan to stay overnight.

When is the best time to visit? June through September. The trail to the Middle Lake may be snow-blocked into June. July and August are warmest but busiest. September offers autumn colors with fewer visitors. The park is accessible but cold in October; winter access requires special preparation.

Are there bears? Yes. The Tien Shan brown bear lives in Kolsai Lakes National Park. Encounters are rare, especially on the busy Lower Lake trail, but possible near the Middle and Upper Lakes. Your guide carries bear awareness knowledge and knows current conditions.

How does Kolsai compare to Big Almaty Lake? Different experiences entirely. Big Almaty Lake is 30 km from the city, easy to reach, and you can’t get close to the water. Kolsai Lakes are 300 km away, require significant travel, but offer actual shoreline access, hiking, and a much wilder setting. Both have turquoise water. Kolsai rewards the extra effort.