Mountain lakes occupy an important point in the sights of Central Asia, especially the Almaty region and Kyrgyzstan. They can be alpine moraine, landslide tectonic, located on mountain plateaus ... It is impossible to pick one the most beautiful lake, as each deserves attention and has a unique beauty.
A cascade of three amazing Kolsai lakes is located 300 kilometers from Almaty at altitudes of 1800, 2300 and 2600 meters above sea level. They are called the "pearl of the Northern Tien Shan" in the spurs of the Kungey Alatau ridge. The long road to reach them is undoubtedly blocked by the emotions that this place evokes. In the crystal clear water, the Tien Shan spruces are mirrored on the slopes of the surrounding mountains. Flocks of trout are visible, it grows here up to 50-60 cm. The lake system consists of three lakes, they like pearls strung on the mountain river of the same name Kolsai. The Kolsai river is mountainous with glacier feed. Lake Kolsai-1 is located at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level. Stretching for 1 km in length (width 400 m, depth up to 100 m), it is sandwiched in a narrow gorge. The lake is surrounded by the highest Tien Shan firs, as if they were specially planted here in order to preserve this paradise. Lake Kolsay-2 is located at an altitude of 2100 meters above sea level. 8 kilometers of hike from the first lake, the lake is surrounded by rocks, which gives some monumentality to the local landscape. Also surrounded by a spruce forest, diluted with rowan trees. Having overcome another 5 kilometers, at an altitude of 2500 meters, the Kolsai-3 lake opens in front of us, it is half the size of the second, but no less beautiful in its originality. Unfortunately, at the moment Kolsai-3 is closed for tourists due to the border zone.
Lake Kaindy ("birch" from Kazakh) is a lake located in the Kaindy gorge at an altitude of 1900 meters above sea level. The lake is about 400 m long and reaches a depth of almost 30 m. The main highlight of this lake is the amazing view - the trunks of massive spruces rise from the icy water across the entire area of the lake - a flooded spruce forest which is more than 100 years old. The river of the same name, mainly of spring origin, runs through the lake. The lake is surrounded by a forest consisting of Tien Shan spruces mixed with common birches.
Big Almaty Lake (BAO) is one of the most popular and beautiful places for tourists and residents of Almaty. Located just 25 kilometers from Almaty at an altitude of 2511 meters above sea level, the Big Almaty Lake is surrounded by majestic spruce trees around the entire perimeter. They cover the mountain slopes, which are reflected in crystal clear water. The basin of the lake is of tectonic origin, complex shape, with a general slope to the north. The length of the lake is up to 1 km; the width is up to 600 meters. The length of the coastline is more than 3 km, the depth is 20-30 m, the volume of the water mass is 14 million m³. The maximum water level is in August; the minimum is in February. Level fluctuations reach 10 m. The shores of the lake are steep. The glacier melt water feeds into the lake. A pipe comes out of the lake, which supplies some of the drinking water to Almaty. Above the lake, at an altitude of 2700 meters, there is the Tien Shan Astronomical Observatory, and even higher, at a level of 3600 meters, is the Cosmic Ray Research Station (space station). At the request of the tourist, you can visit the Falcon Show in the falcon nursery "Sunkar" at the entrance to the national park. It is the world's largest hunting bird nursery. There are similar ones in Israel and Germany. It is worth noting that all the way to the lake and to the observatory passes through the Big Almaty Gorge, where beautiful views of the mountains and rocks of extraordinary beauty open up.
Lake Issyk is located 70 km far from the city of Almaty in the Issyk gorge of the same name at an altitude of 1715 meters above sea level. The mountain lake was formed 8 thousand years ago as a result of a rock collapse, which created a natural dam about 300 meters high. Lake Issyk surrounded by a beautiful landscape is an excellent place for recreation and picnics. Picturesque cliffs called "Kremlin Walls" are perfect for those who like hiking on the rocks. Once the area around the lake was actively landscaped: an asphalt road, a tourist base, and a bus station were quickly built. Tens of thousands of Almaty residents and guests of the city came here all year round to relax in the bosom of nature. The lake was so popular that its photograph was even used for USSR tourist postcards and brochures. However, in 1963, everything changed in a matter of hours. A powerful mudflow burst out of the glacial zone in the upper reaches of the Issyk River, whose huge waves destroyed a natural dam and the lake was emptied in four hours. This tragedy, according to official statistics, claimed more than a hundred human lives. Now a cross has been erected on a mountain slope near the lake in memory of the victims. The memory of the tragedy still makes hearts clench. And young trees sprouted on the once former bottom of the lake, ruins on the lower shore and huge boulders serve as a constant reminder of what happened. The lake has now been restored. Its volume has halved, but it still pleases the eye of tourists.
Lake Tuzkol is located at an altitude of 1959 m above sea level. Translated from Kazakh, the name means "salt lake". If we take the indicators of water salinity in Lake Tuzkol and the Dead Sea, they will be almost the same. However, swimming in Tuzkol is a little difficult, because the banks are swampy and the bottom is covered with a thick layer of clay. By the way, clay from Tuzkol is used in mud clinics in Almaty, because it is curative. The main attraction of the lake is a magnificent view of the highest peaks of the Northern Tien Shan: Khan Tengri, Marble Wall, Victory, etc. During dawn on Lake Tuzkol, you can capture the lord of the sky - Khan Tengri peak from the the best angle with reflection in a salt lake.
Approximately in 300km from Almaty unique place with still untouched nature is located. It is a valley of 100 lakes. The road deserves attention by itself. On the height 1700-2500m the green spruce forest begins. There are lots of cozy meadows next to the river to overnight. Usually to see the glacier lakes the long hike is required but in this occasion there is an opportunity to reach it by SUV. However, there is space for hiking and the goal is 100% worth able. If to climb to the nearby mountain (3600m) the incredible 360* panorama opens. On the north you will see bird's-eye’s valley of 100 lakes, on the sound the Issyk-Kul lake and on the west the most famous Tien-Shan peaks: Khan-Tengri peak(7010m), Pobeda (Victory) peak(7439m), Marble wall(6162m), Bayankol peak and etc.
In the place where the Charyn River originates, an oblong lake is located between the hills - the Bestobe reservoir. It has a rather interesting history. Its construction began in 1985, but the collapse of the USSR and the subsequent crisis froze the construction. The Bestobe reservoir and the Moynak hydroelectric power station were launched only in 2011. At present the lake is completely filled and pleases the eye of a tourist. The lake is formed by a rock-fill dam 94 meters high. The length of the reservoir is 4.5 kilometers, the width of the middle part of the reservoir is 373 meters.
