What is Kaindy Lake and where is it
Kaindy Lake (also spelled Kaiyndy) is a small mountain lake in the Almaty Region, famous for its eerie sunken forest. Sitting at about 1,900 m above sea level, it's one of Kazakhstan's most striking natural wonders: bare, bleached tree trunks rise straight out of the turquoise water, as if a forest drowned and never came back.And that's basically what happened. In 1911, a massive earthquake triggered a landslide that dammed a gorge. The valley slowly filled with water, swallowing a dense spruce forest whole. Thanks to the ice-cold water — even in summer, the temperature barely reaches +6 °C — the tree trunks have been perfectly preserved for over a century.
The lake itself is compact: roughly 400 m long and up to 20 m deep. But the haunting atmosphere and otherworldly landscape make Kaindy one of the most unforgettable sights in Kazakhstan.
Things to do at Kaindy
Kaindy Lake doesn't have much infrastructure — no cafes, no resort-style facilities.The main draw is the submerged forest itself, with its ghostly spruce trees rising from the water.
Here's what you can do:
- Walk along the lake — there are easy trails for leisurely strolls along the shore.
- 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, especially with those surreal sunken trees.
- Ride a horse — locals offer horseback rides, and you can even ride all the way to the lake.
What to visit near Kaindy
Since Kaindy Lake is about a 5-hour drive from Almaty, most people combine it with other destinations nearby.The Kolsai Lakes, Charyn Canyon, and Black Canyon are all within 30–60 minutes of each other, so they're commonly included in a Kaindy trip.
We have detailed guides on these spots:
In this article, we'll just share a few photos to give you a taste of what's waiting out there.
Best time to visit Kaindy: seasons, weather, climate
Weather at Kaindy Lake
The lake and its surroundings sit in the mountains (roughly 1,800–2,800 m), so it's always cooler than in Almaty. The water in the mountain lakes stays at +6…+8 °C even in summer — that's normal for the Kolsai–Kaindy area.Before your trip, check the weather forecast on a reliable service. Here are 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.
Spring (March – May)
March and April are cold, and roads are often impassable.By May, daytime temperatures reach +15…+20 °C, the lake thaws, and the tourist season kicks off.
Summer (June – August)
The most comfortable time to visit. Daytime temperatures are +18…+22 °C, nights around +10 °C. The scenery is vibrant and the days are sunny.Autumn (September – November)
September is mild and colorful, with daytime highs up to +16 °C. By the end of September, the tourist season wraps up.October gets noticeably colder, with frost and the first snow possible. In November, daytime temperatures hover around 0…+3 °C, and the lake starts freezing over.
Winter (December – February)
Very few people visit in winter. The lake is frozen, and the roads are icy and difficult. Temperatures stay consistently below zero.Tours to Kaindy: how to choose
Tour formats
Most Kaindy tours differ by the number of stops in a day and the type of transport.Here's a quick overview to help you navigate the options:
What to watch out for
Many Almaty tour companies compete on price and number of destinations rather than quality. They offer tours where you visit 4–6 spots in one or two days for a bargain price. Sounds great, but in practice it often means:- departing at 6 AM and getting back late at night;
- very little time at each stop (sometimes less than an hour);
- run-down buses with broken AC;
- poor organization (delays, inconvenient meal and restroom stops);
- inexperienced guides;
- oversized groups with just one guide.
How we do tours
At Enjoyers Travel, our core value is comfort. Here's what that looks like:- Comfortable, safe vehicles — We provide VIP-class seating with proper seatbelts. Chill background music plays during the ride. In summer, the AC works; in winter, the heater does.
- No rushing — We don't try to cram 5 stops into one day. We want our guests to actually enjoy the moment, not just snap a photo and move on. That's why our group tours cover 1–2 destinations.
- Experienced team — We work with qualified guides who have 5+ years of experience. They can tell great stories and handle unexpected situations. Every stage of the tour follows well-tested processes, so you're always in good hands.
- Thoughtful details — We bring water, tea, coffee, and snacks for our guests. Depending on the itinerary, we serve them on the bus or set up a picnic at the location. We avoid early-morning departures when possible. And whenever we can, we choose stops with proper restroom facilities (most locations have them).
Where is Kaindy Lake located
Kaindy Lake is located in the Almaty Region, about 300 km from Almaty.It's part of the Kolsai Lakes National Park, not far from the village of Saty — the usual starting point for trips to the lakes and canyons in this area.
The lake lies in a gorge of the Kungei Alatau mountain range, surrounded by scenic peaks, coniferous forests, and alpine meadows.
How to get there from Almaty on your own
We recommend plotting a route to Kaindy Lake on a map app: Google Maps, 2GIS, Yandex Maps.If you use 2GIS, don't rely on its travel time estimates — in Kazakhstan, they're often inaccurate.
The drive from Almaty to Kaindy takes about 5 hours.
First, you take the highway toward Kegen (roughly 280–300 km). The road is decent, but things get tricky after the turn toward Saty village.
The last stretch is about 12 km of mountain road. You'll cross a couple of streams and navigate rocky sections. A regular sedan won't cut it — you need an SUV or 4WD vehicle.
At the approach, there's a barrier where you pay the eco fee, and then you can park. From there, you have 3 options:
- walk ~1.5–2 km through the forest, uphill;
- ride a horse;
- hop on a UAZ (a rugged Soviet-era off-road vehicle) offered by locals.
Kaindy entrance fees (updated for 2025)
Visiting Kaindy 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:
- Pedestrian: 0.2 MCI — 786 KZT (~$1.50).
- Motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs: 0.4 MCI — 1,573 KZT (~$3).
- Cars: 0.7 MCI — 2,752 KZT (~$5.50).
The national park website has a price list, but we can't guarantee it's always up to date.
Also keep in mind that if you plan to visit Kolsai Lake as well, under the new rules you'll need to pay a separate eco fee there too.
Where to stay near Kaindy and how much it costs
If you want to spend the night near Kaindy, you have a few options:1. Camp with a tent inside the national park.
2. Rent a cabin, room, or yurt (a traditional Central Asian felt tent). The most options are in Saty village; there are also places in Kurmenty (near Kolsai Lake) and at Kolsai-1 lake itself.
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 day trip
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 an overnight camping trip
Everything from the list above, plus:- 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
Final thoughts
Kaindy Lake isn't just a pretty destination — it's a genuine adventure. Getting there takes some effort, but that's exactly what makes it special. A haunting sunken forest rising from turquoise water, the silence of the mountains, and the feeling that you've stumbled into another world entirely.To make the most of your trip, combine Kaindy with a visit to the Kolsai Lakes or Charyn Canyon. And if you want the journey to be easy and hassle-free, come with us — we'll take care of all the logistics.
Learn more about our tours:
