The Kolsai Lakes are three mountain lakes in the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan, inside the Kolsai-Kaindy National Park, 300 km from Almaty. Kolsai-1 is for relaxed days with pedal boats and cafes; Kolsai-2 and Kolsai-3 are for serious trekkers ready for an overnight hike.
This guide: trails to the upper lakes, seasons, how to get there, eco fees, and where to stay.
What is Kolsai Lake
The Kolsai Lakes are three stunning mountain lakes nestled in the northern Tien Shan range, in the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan. They’re famous for their crystal-clear water, surrounded by coniferous forests and alpine meadows.
The most accessible and popular among visitors is Kolsai-1, which you can reach by car or bus. There’s a walking area here, a few cafes, and you can rent boats to paddle around the lake.
Kolsai-2 and Kolsai-3 are higher up and can only be reached on foot. These trails offer unique views and solitude — a very different vibe from the busier first lake.
- Kolsai-1 (lower lake) — the most accessible, with developed infrastructure.
- Kolsai-2 — a lake among forests and mountains, reached via a hiking trail (~8 km).
- Kolsai-3 — high-altitude and remote, only for experienced trekkers.
Kolsai-1 Lake. Photos by Enjoyers Travel. Do not reproduce without permission. 
Things to see and do at Kolsai
Kolsai-1: a relaxing day out
Kolsai-1 is a perfect spot for a chill day in nature. It’s the easiest to reach among the three lakes, and it’s where most visitors end up.
The shoreline offers plenty of options for fun. Even without any serious prep, you can have a great time enjoying the fresh air and mountain views.
Here’s what you can do at Kolsai-1:
- Ride a pedal boat — available for rent in summer (from 3,000 KZT/hour, ~$6).
- Walk along the lake — there are easy trails for leisurely strolls along the shore.
- Go fishing — with a license you can fish right from the shore; the fish aren’t always biting, but the process is meditative.
- Have a picnic — there are designated spots and clearings with scenic views.
- Set up a tent — camping is allowed in designated zones.
- Photograph nature — the lake is ideal for morning and daytime shots.
Kolsai-2 and Kolsai-3: adventure mode
If Kolsai-1 is for relaxation, hiking to the second and third lakes is a proper mountain adventure. There are no cafes, no tourist infrastructure, and no cell service — just you, nature, and the trail.
The hikes to Kolsai-2 and especially Kolsai-3 require preparation, but the reward is silence, crystal-clear water, and landscapes you won’t find anywhere else. Below, we’ll explain how to get to these lakes and what you should know before hitting the trail.
Hiking trails to Middle and Upper Kolsai lakes: what you need to know
How to get there without getting lost
We recommend downloading the maps.me app. You can load offline maps that work even without cell service. Then you can plot routes that will help you navigate on the trail.
The route: Kolsai-1 Lake → Kolsai-2 Lake → Upper Kolsai.
But don’t rely on the travel time the app suggests — it’s unrealistic. Below we provide trail descriptions with real time estimates.
If you’re not experienced with hiking, we recommend going with a group:
- You can find hiking buddies in our free community chat. Ideally, at least one person in the group should be experienced.
- You can book a private tour — we have experienced guides and drivers who’d be happy to help. To learn more, message us.
- There are also companies that organize group hikes to Kolsai-2 and Kolsai-3.
Hiking to Kolsai-2
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~7.2 km one way |
| Elevation gain | 470 m |
| Hiking time | 3.5–5 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Altitude of Kolsai-2 | 2,250 m |
The hike to the second lake starts from the southern end of Kolsai-1. The trail first follows the shore, then enters the forest, gradually gaining elevation. Most of the route goes through a shaded coniferous trail along a stream, surrounded by dense spruce groves and flowering meadows. You’ll come across wooden bridges and viewpoints along the way.
The route is manageable for most physically active people. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring water, snacks, and a GPS / offline map. In wet weather, the trail can be slippery and very muddy, especially on the ascents.
Many hikers camp overnight at Kolsai-2 on their way to Kolsai-3. Nataliia (her Instagram), a member of our mountain hiking community, took some beautiful sunrise photos at the lake:
Kolsai-2 at sunrise 
Hiking from Kolsai-2 to Kolsai-3
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Distance | +3.8 km from Kolsai-2 |
| Elevation gain | 430 m relative to Kolsai-2 |
| Overall difficulty | Moderate |
| Hiking time | 3.5–5 hours from the second lake |
| You’ll need | A tent, warm clothes, a map, and experience |
Kolsai-3 is a remote gem that can only be reached as part of a full multi-day hike with an overnight stop, since the trail starts from Kolsai-2. The route goes deeper into the mountains, with steep ascents and rocky sections.
The lake sits almost on the border with Kyrgyzstan, so make sure to bring your passport. The trip requires good physical fitness and self-sufficiency. There are no food sources along the way — just natural water and wilderness. It’s strongly recommended to go in a group.
Here are some photos of the lake, also taken by Nataliia, a member of our mountain hiking chat:
Kolsai-3 Lake 
Best time to visit Kolsai: seasons, weather, climate
Weather at the Kolsai Lakes
Climate at Kolsai. The Kolsai Lakes sit in the mountains at 1,800–2,800 m, so weather at Kolsai can be very different from Almaty. Even in summer it can be cool, especially at night.
Before your trip, check the weather forecast on a reliable service. Some tips:
- Look at the hourly forecast, not just the daily summary.
- Keep checking as it gets closer. Mountain weather changes fast — rain can shift from one day to another, or stretch longer than expected. Check 3 days out, 1 day out, and the morning of your trip. This can affect your plans.
Light. Because of the surrounding mountains, the lakes fall into shadow well before sunset. If you want sunny landscapes and bright photos, visit in the first half of the day.
Kolsai Lake in the afternoon, in the shadow 
Summer (June – August)
Summer is the best season to visit the Kolsai Lakes. Daytime temperatures reach 20–25 °C, nights cool to 10–15 °C.
It’s the ideal period for hiking, boating, and fishing.
Autumn (September – November)
Autumn brings vivid colours and a quieter atmosphere. September: 15–20 °C in the day, October: 10–15 °C, November: 5–10 °C. Nights get noticeably colder, with occasional frosts.
There are far fewer tourists.
Winter (December – February)
Winter isn’t the season for Kolsai, but you can still get there. Most of the time the lakes are covered in ice and snow. Daytime temperatures often drop below 0 °C, and nights can hit –15 °C or colder.
Note that the road to the lake gets slippery, which limits your transport options.
Kolsai Lake in winter 
Spring (March – May)
Spring is when nature wakes up — but in the mountains, it arrives late. March: ~5 °C in the day, April: 10–15 °C, May: up to 20 °C. Nights stay cold, especially in early spring. Rain and snow are still possible.
Tours to Kolsai: how to choose
Tour formats
Kolsai tours mainly differ by the number of stops per day and the route style. The main formats:
| Format | Description | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express tour (3–6 stops per day) | Packed itinerary in 1 day. Kolsai, Charyn, Black Canyon, Kaindy, etc. |
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| Focus tour (1–2 stops per day) | A tour built around the experience: e.g., just Kolsai or Kolsai + Kaindy |
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| Overnight tour (4–6 stops over 2 days) | Two-day route with an overnight stay at a guesthouse or by the lake. Example: Charyn + Black Canyon + Kolsai + Kaindy |
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| Private tour | Fully customized: timing, route, locations, pace |
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What to watch out for
A lot of Almaty-based tour companies compete not on service quality but on the number of destinations and rock-bottom prices. They offer tours where you visit 4–6 places in one or two days at a bargain rate. Sounds great, but in reality this often means:
- departing at 6 AM and getting back late at night;
- barely any time at each stop (sometimes less than an hour);
- worn-out buses with broken air conditioning;
- poor organization (delays, inconvenient food and restroom stops);
- inexperienced guides;
- a huge group with just one guide.
Before booking, pay attention to these points and ask questions if they matter to you. Unfortunately, most of the market operates this way.
How we do our tours
Our core value at Enjoyers Travel is comfort. Here’s what that actually looks like:
Comfortable, safe vehicles
VIP-class seating with proper seatbelts. Easy-listening music during the ride. AC in summer, heater in winter.
No rushing
We don't try to cram 5 stops into one day. Our tours cover 1–2 destinations so guests actually have time to enjoy the moment, not just snap a photo and move on.
Experienced team
Qualified guides with 5+ years of experience who can both tell great stories and handle unexpected situations. Every stage of the tour follows well-tested processes.
Thoughtful details
We bring water, tea, coffee and snacks for our guests — served on the bus or at a picnic on location. We avoid early-morning departures when possible and pick stops with proper restrooms.
We run private tours to the Kolsai Lakes and corporate trips for teams.
Where is Kolsai located
The Kolsai Lakes are located in Kazakhstan, in the Almaty Region, inside the Kolsai-Kaindy National Park, about 300 km from Almaty, near the Kyrgyz border.
The closest village is Saty, where locals live and where most guesthouses for tourists are.
How to get there from Almaty on your own
Distance to Kolsai: how long is the drive
The trip takes 4.5–6 hours one way, depending on weather and road conditions. The road is paved almost the whole way. The last few kilometres are gravel, but accessible to regular cars.
Route: Almaty → Kapchagay → Shelek → Saty → Kolsai-1.
We recommend plotting the route to Lower Kolsai on a map: Google Maps, 2GIS, Yandex Maps.
If you’re using 2GIS, don’t rely on its travel time estimates — in Kazakhstan, they’re often inaccurate.
Getting there: car, bus, rideshare
- You can drive all the way to the location.
- There are scheduled buses to Shelek or Kegen — from there, only hitchhiking or renting a car. Inconvenient but cheaper.
- You could try finding a ride through InDrive or a taxi, but there’s a risk of not finding a driver back. You can also arrange for a taxi to wait for you, but it’ll be more expensive.
Kolsai entrance fees (updated for 2026)
Visiting Kolsai Lake requires a fee, since the area is part of the Kolsai Lakes National Park. The funds go toward maintenance, cleanup, and environmental protection.
Rates are updated periodically — sometimes several times a year. It’s a good idea to bring some extra cash just in case prices have gone up.
Here are the official rates as listed in the regulation:
| Category | MCI | Cost (KZT) |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrian | 0.2 MCI | 786 (~$1.50) |
| Motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs | 0.4 MCI | 1,573 (~$3) |
| Cars | 0.7 MCI | 2,752 (~$5.50) |
The way eco fees are calculated also changes from time to time. As of late May 2025, the system works by charging for the vehicle you enter with — no separate pedestrian fee. The bigger the vehicle, the higher the fee. If you want to stay for multiple days, multiply the fee by the number of days.
The national park website has a price list, but we can’t guarantee it’s always up to date.
Where to stay near Kolsai and how much it costs
If you want to spend the night near Kolsai, you have a few options:
- Camp with a tent on the park grounds at Kolsai-1 or Kolsai-2.
- Rent a cabin, room, or yurt. The most options are in Saty village; closer to the lake there are places in Kurmenty, and the most convenient are right on Kolsai-1.
Comfortable rooms cost roughly 40,000–75,000 KZT (~$80–150) per night depending on the day of the week and type of accommodation. Either way, be prepared for basic service pretty much everywhere.
We recommend checking Google Maps to browse options by distance from the lake. Prices aren’t always listed there, but the reviews and photos tend to be more honest, so you can rule out some places right away.
Once you’ve found something you like, look them up on Instagram, Booking.com, or even the local Kazakh service Choco (which sometimes has discounts).
What to pack: tips from experienced guides
For a regular trip to Kolsai-1
If you’re planning a day trip or a short overnight stay in a cabin, here’s the essentials:
- Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers or hiking boots)
- Windbreaker/rain jacket and a warm layer (it gets cold in the evening)
- Hat or cap, sunscreen, sunglasses
- Water (1.5–2 liters per person), snacks
- Cash (there are no ATMs out there)
- Charged phone, power bank
- ID/passport
- Travel insurance (if you have one)
For a hike to Kolsai-2 and Kolsai-3
For a 2-day trek to the upper lakes:
- Backpack (50–70 liters)
- Sleeping bag (rated to –5 °C) and a sleeping pad
- Compact sit pad
- Camp cookware: mug, spoon, bowl, knife
- Gas stove and a pot (one per group)
- Headlamp + spare batteries
- Rain poncho
- Light gloves, buff or scarf
- Spare footwear (sandals or sneakers)
- Trekking poles
- Multiple clothing layers: base layer top and bottom, fleece or hoodie, insulated jacket, light pants and warm pants for the evening
- Change of underwear and socks (including warm ones)
- Toiletries and a lightweight towel
- ID/passport and cash
Final thoughts
Kolsai is the kind of place that opens up Kazakh nature in a whole new way: silence, the sheer scale of the mountains, transparent lakes, and a sense of solitude make this trip feel special.
