Everything you need to plan your visit
By Nomad Outfitters · Updated 30 October 2026
A forest under water
Kaindy formed after the 1911 Kemin earthquake, when a landslide dammed the gorge and flooded a spruce forest. More than a century later the bare trunks still rise straight out of the turquoise water. The lake is about 400 m long.
About 11 km from Saty
Kaindy is reached from Saty village, the base for the Kolsai lakes. The road is now paved, so you no longer change to a UAZ off-road van. From the parking area it is a walk of about 1.5 to 2 km on a forest trail down to the shore.
Part of the Kolsai Lakes park
Kaindy belongs to Kolsai Lakes National Park, so one daily park fee covers both. Swimming is not allowed, and in winter walking on the ice is banned.
Late May to mid-October
The road is open all year. Late May to mid-October is the best time, when the water is turquoise and the trail is dry. In winter the lake freezes, which many people find beautiful too.
Best months
Sources: Kolsai Lakes National Park; park tickets; Tengrinews (size, history); Forbes Kazakhstan (ice rules).
Kolsai, Kaindy and Charyn in One DayКольсай, Каинды и Чарын за один день
Kaindy, Kolsai and Charyn in one long day, with a stop at the Black Canyon.
- 05:30 to 21:30hotel to hotel
- Privateyour own guide and car
- 4 sitesin one day
- Lunch at a guest house
- Park fees and drinking water
- Free cancellation
What you will see
Kaindy is small, so a visit is about the walk down and the views of the trunks.
The sunken trunks
Bare spruce trunks standing in the water since 1911.
The view from above
The first look at the lake, from the trail down through the forest.
Kolsai lakes nearby
About a half-hour drive away, usually on the same trip.
Kaindy Lake questions
How do I get to Kaindy Lake?
Drive to Saty village, about 280 to 300 km from Almaty, then about 11 km to the lake. The road is now paved, and the last part is a walk of about 1.5 to 2 km.
Do I still need a UAZ transfer?
No. The road to Kaindy is now paved, so you can go all the way in a normal car.
How was Kaindy Lake formed?
By the 1911 Kemin earthquake: a landslide dammed the gorge and flooded a spruce forest.
Can you swim in Kaindy Lake?
No. Swimming is not allowed in the national park, and walking on the ice in winter is banned.
Can I visit Kaindy in winter?
Yes. The road is open all year. The lake freezes in winter.
Tours that visit Kaindy Lake
1 day1 деньKolsai, Kaindy and Charyn in One DayКольсай, Каинды и Чарын за один день
Two lakes, a drowned forest and canyons in one day.Два озера, затопленный лес и каньоны за один день.
from $130 per personот $130 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре
2 days2 дняPopularПопулярныйCharyn, Kolsai and KaindyЧарын, Кольсай и Каинды
A canyon, a lake and a drowned forest in two days.Каньон, озеро и затопленный лес за два дня.
from $200 per personот $200 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре
3 days3 дняPopularПопулярныйCharyn and Kolsai Lakes HikeЧарын и поход к Кольсайским озёрам
Canyons and alpine lakes, with more time on foot.Каньоны и горные озёра, больше времени на тропе.
from $375 per personот $375 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре
5 days5 днейPopularПопулярныйGolden Ring of ZhetysuЗолотое кольцо Жетысу
Our most complete route across Zhetysu.Наш самый полный маршрут по Жетысу.
from $660 per personот $660 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре
3 days3 дняGolden Ring of ZhetysuЗолотое кольцо Жетысу
The same national parks, in three days.Те же нацпарки за три дня.
from $450 per personот $450 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре
3 days3 дняGreat Almaty LoopБольшое кольцо Алматы
Seven highlights around Almaty in three days.Семь главных мест вокруг Алматы за три дня.
from $400 per personот $400 за человекаView tourПодробнее о туре