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Kolsay Lake

Treks / Kazakhstan

Kolsai Lakes

Kazakhstan · Nearest city: Almaty

TypeMulti-day trek
Days1–2
Distance≈ 16 km
Climbing≈ 500 m
Highest point2,250 m

A forest trail between the first and second of the three Kolsai lakes, with the sunken forest of Kaindy Lake nearby.

Fitness Moderate
Best seasonJune to September
High pointSecond Kolsai lake

Watch out: The third lake is close to the Kyrgyz border and needs a border-zone permit.

Why people choose it

It's a chain of three forest lakes near the Kyrgyz border, often called the pearls of the Northern Tien Shan.

What makes it different

  • Three lakes in spruce forest
  • Kaindy's sunken forest nearby
  • Horse rides available

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk Kolsai Lakes. These are the main choices people make.

  • Length: most people take 1–2 days, 2 is typical. You can shorten it by skipping a stage with a bus or lift, or lengthen it with rest days.

Similar treks to consider

Song-Kul Lake Trek Kyrgyzstan · 2–3 days · 40 km A walk or horse trek over high pastures to Song-Kul, a lake at 3,016 m where herders set up yurt camps each summer. Tatranská magistrála Slovakia · 3–4 days · 45 km A classic multi-day path along the southern slopes of the High Tatras, linking mountain lakes and chalets. Wicklow Way Ireland · 5–7 days · 131 km Ireland's oldest waymarked trail starts in Dublin's suburbs and crosses the Wicklow Mountains past lakes...

Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Phone and data

Roaming in Kazakhstan is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.

Kazakhstan eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

This trek reaches 2,250 m, and many policies stop covering hiking at 2,000 to 3,000 m unless you add an activity upgrade. World Nomads needs its Level 3 activities above 2,000 m, Heymondo its Adventure add-on above 3,000 m, and SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance covers trekking up to 4,500 m.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.

World NomadsSafetyWingHeymondoTrue Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

Camping is allowed in many areas of the national parks at designated spots, sometimes with a small fee. Border zones need a permit.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Kolsay Lakes → Kaindy Lake

Simple overview map
Kolsay LakesKaindy Lake20 kmN

Step by step

  1. Months before

    Plan and book

    • Arrange any border-zone permits or crossings in advance.
    • Best time to go: June to September.
  2. 6–12 weeks before

    Train and test your gear

    • Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
    • Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
    • Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.

    Readiness quiz · Packing list

  3. Getting there

    Travel to the start

    • Most people start from Almaty.
    • Take enough cash for the whole trek. Cards rarely work in the mountains.
  4. On the trail

    Walk it

    • Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
  5. The finish

    Get home

    • It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.

How the season changes things

Best time: June to September

June to early July

Early summer

Snow still on high passes, fast rivers from snowmelt and green pastures filling with herders.

Bring

  • Gaiters and warm layers
  • River-crossing shoes
  • Cash for yurt camps

Mid-July to August

Peak season

The best weather window, but high passes can still get snow and storms.

Bring

  • Warm sleeping bag for cold nights
  • Sun protection for strong UV
  • Water filter

September

Late season

Clear skies and autumn colours, with freezing nights and herders leaving the high pastures.

Bring

  • Down jacket
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Check that yurt camps are still open

What you'll see

5 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.

Kolsay Lake
Kyrgyzstan Mounts Kungey Ala Too
Near Kolsay LakesKolsai lake
Near Kaindy Lake
Near Kaindy LakeKaindy

Gear for the Kolsai Lakes

Hiking boots Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Backpacks Top pick: Osprey Exos 58 Rain jackets Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Photo credits: Kolsay Lake by Нұрлан Рахымжанов at Kazakh Wikipedia, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Kyrgyzstan Mounts Kungey Ala Too by Makhmud, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Kolsai lake by Katariyakartikey, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; View near Kaindy Lake by Katariyakartikey, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Kaindy by Valihan Konurbayev, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.