Kaindy — Attraction in Almaty Region

Lake Kaindy (Kazakh: Қайыңды көлі, Qaıyńdy kóli, meaning the "birch tree lake" or landslide) is a 400-meter-long (1,300 ft) lake located in Kazakhstan. The lake reaches depths of nearly 30 meters (98 ft). It is located 129 kilometers (80 mi) east-southeast of the city of Almaty and is 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) above sea level. Lake Kaindy is located in the south of Kazakhstan, within Kolsay Lakes National Park. It is located 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) above sea level, 130 kilometres (81 mi) east of Almaty. The lake was formed as the result of a major limestone landslide triggered by the 1911 Kebin earthquake forming a natural dam. It blocked the gorge and was filled by mountain river water. Lake Kaindy is about 400 meters long, reaching depths of nearly 30 meters at its deepest point. Altered by limestone deposits, the water maintains a bluish-green color.

The lake contains trunks of submerged Picea schrenkiana trees that rise above the surface of the lake. The area is often referred to as a "sunken forest". The cold water helps preserve the tree trunks, which are overgrown with algae and various other water plants.[3] In recent years, Lake Kaindy has become a popular international tourist destination.[citation needed] The lake is also known for ice diving and trout fishing in the winter season.

The uniqueness of the lake lies in the fact that after the emergence of a natural dam that blocked the gorge, the water that filled the dam formed the lake and did not destroy the spruce trees growing in this place along the river. (The Kaindy river flows into the lake, passing through a two-sided rock face about 20 meters high). The upper part of the trees protruding from the water lost their side branches and bark, and the wood turned white. When you look at such a panorama, you get the feeling that you are looking at a submerged squadron: the bare trunks of trees resemble the masts of submerged ships. The lake surface itself changes color regularly and is often a very beautiful blue color. This strange color is caused by lime and other minerals that were in the water a hundred years ago. But as soon as you get closer to the lake, the water becomes crystal clear, and sometimes you can even see trout in it. Despite the low water temperature, Kaindy lake is popular with diving...

Lake Kaindy, located in the breathtaking Tian Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan, offers a surreal landscape with its submerged forest and pristine turquoise waters. It’s a destination that feels straight out of a dream, but getting there requires a bit of effort and adventure.

Getting There To reach Lake Kaindy, I recommend using a 4WD vehicle or booking a Buhanka (Russian van) taxi from Saty Village. These taxis are well-suited for the challenging terrain, and you can find them at two locations in the village—one near the petrol station at the entrance and another near the village’s end, toward Kolsai Lakes. The rates are not fixed, and negotiating can be tricky due to the language barrier. We paid 15,000 Tenge for a round trip (charged per vehicle, not per person).

The Journey The taxis start as early as 7 AM and will take you to the parking lot near the lake. The road from Saty to Lake Kaindy is in poor condition, with two small river crossings, so expect a bumpy ride. The drivers tend to speed through these rough patches, so hold on tight! The ride took around 40 minutes, with a brief stop to buy tickets (500 Tenge per person and 200 Tenge for the vehicle).

At the Parking Lot Once you reach the parking lot, you can either hike or take a horse ride to the lake. The horse ride prices aren’t fixed either, and we paid 4,000 Tenge for a one-way trip, while a round trip was offered for 6,000 Tenge. After the horse ride, there’s still a 5-10 minute walk up to the lake, so if walking isn’t your thing, I recommend opting for the roundtrip horse ride. There’s also a taxi service available, though I didn’t check the rates.

As you walk towards the lake from where the horse ride ends, you’ll cross a small stream, and you’ll notice a platform extending to the right along the stream. As of September 2024, this platform is still under construction, but from what I gathered, it’s planned to be extended all the way to the parking area.

Conclusion Visiting Lake Kaindy is a truly unforgettable experience, but it requires some effort and resilience. Whether you choose to hike, ride a horse, or take a taxi, the stunning beauty of the submerged forest and crystal-clear waters will make it...

Touristy, but for a reason. Way to Kaindy Lake - With your own vehicle, no 4x4.

We came here with our own campervan. Parked down in Saty. At the beginning of the village there'a a big parking next to the old fuel station. Very safe, no shade. We arrived here at 16.00 and where back at 18.45 at the van.

We payed 25.000 for two person to take a private 4x4 buhanka taxi. Best experience!! Love these cars. But you can share it too, wait for other people. It fits around 12 people. You can drive this part with your own 4x4 too, but you need to be a good driver. Two big river crossing. Never too narrow though.

At the entrance of the park you pay a little fee. Also for vehicle. And per person!

Just before the lake you are dropped. From there you can take a horse to the lake or another bughanka (500 tenge, always shared). Last 10 minutes is a bit up and down walking, some people asked the taxi to go further. I would do the walk to enjoy nature a bit.

Taxi said we had 1,5 hours at the lake. It was quite busy. But very beautiful.

And than we went down again. Had super good Indian food in the...