Kolsai (Kolsay) Lakes, Southern Kazakhstan
The Kolsai (Kolsay) Lakes are a secession of Alpine lakes that range in altitude from 1700m to 2650m. The lakes are of the clearest waters and are surrounded by pine forests that rise up on the mountains that surround the first two lakes. The third lake is above the tree line and is surrounded by mountainous cliffs and snowy capped peaks.
Getting there
The Kolsai Lakes are situated close to Charyn Canyon, but closer to the Kyrgyz boarder than the Chinese. The 3rd lake is situated so close to the Kyrgyzstan boarder that there are regular boarder control patrols on horse back, who keep travelers under relatively tight watch
The Kolsai Lakes are around another 70km from the Charyn Canyon. You can arriver here by mini bus or taxi from Almaty, or you can hitch hike. This section is much harder to hitch hike Monday - Friday than Charyn Canyon, as it is situated on a main road. However, on the weekends there are many people traveling here with their families.
Entrance
There is an entrance fee here of 70KZT per day (0.20$USD), but we arrived with a group of Kazakh holiday-makers who seemed to be related to one of the women who run a yurt camp at the first lake. So we didn't pay entrance fee.
Accommodation
From the entrance post it is another 13km uphill to the first lake where there are a few yurt camps and small houses that can be rented. You can also freedom camp by the first and second lakes, which can be an incredibly beautiful experience as the sun comes up.
Hiking
From the first lake there is an easy and simple path for around 4km along the edge of the lake, after this you will find yourself winding in amongst the pine trees and heading sharply upwards for the last 2km to the second lake. There are two routes for this last 2km section;
- One hiking route that is a thin, faint path. This path needs decent hiking shoes as one section is an almost vertical climb up and needs both hands free to help pull yourself upwards.
- One riding path that is wider but much muddier and slippery (depending on the recent weather), as so many horses traverse this trail. However it is a slower and less steep ascent.
You can also hire a horse and guide to take you to this second lake.
Note: At our time of travel, in July 2017, we did not have time to hike up to the third lake. However we did meet some fellow travelers from Czech Republic who tried to get past the boarder control patrolling the second lake, and were not permitted to pass.
These lakes are an off-the-beaten-track place of tranquility and beauty. The crystal clear waters and surrounding green pine trees, make for an unmissable experience. The altitude of the first and second lakes (1700m and 2200m) makes for a decent hike, I would suggest to give yourself a day to hike up and a day to hike down if you plan to go at a leisurely pace. The hike can also be done in a day if you're short or time.
The Kolsai Lakes combined with the Charyn Canyon really does make for a wonderful and beautiful few days break from Almaty city life, out in the Kazakh countryside.
