| Duration: | 10 Day(s) - 9 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Photography Tours |
Route: Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)
Season: January - December
Best Period: June - October
The Kungei Alatau Ridge stretches in a latitudinal direction from east to west and has a length of 275 km in a straight line. It surrounds the basin of Issyk-Kul Lake from the north. Like many other mountain ranges in Kazakhstan, Kungei Alatau is rich in scenic mountain lakes. You can visit some of the most beautiful among them: Kaindy Lake and the system of three lakes known as Kolsai Lakes.
Kaindy Lake means "Birch Lake" and is located at an altitude of 1867 meters above sea level. According to recent measurements, its deepest point is 21 meters. The lake was formed as a result of an earthquake that occurred in the area in 1911.
In the 1980s, the lake’s area was significantly reduced due to a mudflow, but its beauty and mystery were not lost. Only 12 km in a straight line from Kaindy Lake, at an altitude of 1818 meters above sea level, lies the third (lower) Kolsai Lake. It stretches for 1 km in length and is approximately 500 meters wide, with a maximum depth of about 80 meters.
The middle (second) Kolsai Lake, located at an altitude of 2252 meters above sea level, is the largest of the three. The upper (first) Kolsai Lake is situated at an altitude of 2850 meters above sea level. From its shores, it takes just a few hours to reach the Sary-Bulak Pass, which offers magnificent views of Issyk-Kul Lake.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1: Almaty - Kaindy Lake
Group meeting and departure from Almaty at 07:00. Lunch at a café or a picnic along the way. Arrival at Kaindy Lake, camp setup, walking, and sunset photography. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time. Overnight in a tent camp by the lake.
Total automobile mileage on this day is approximately. 300 km
Days 2-3: Kaindy Lake
Early wake-up at 05:30 for sunrise photography at Kaindy Lake. Return to the camp, breakfast, and free time. Lunch at the camp. In the evening, a hike to a mountain viewpoint overlooking the lake and the Kungei Alatau Ridge. Sunset photography. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time. Optional night sky photography. Overnight in a tent camp by the lake.
Total daily walking distance approx. 4–10 km
Day 4: Kaindy Lake - Saty Settlement
Early wake-up at 05:30 for sunrise photography at the lake. Return to the camp, breakfast, and dismantling of the camp. Transfer to Saty Settlement. Arrival at a guest house, accommodation, and lunch. Walking in the settlement and photography. Return to the guest house, sauna, dinner, and free time. Overnight in the guest house.
Day 5: Saty Settlement - Lower Kolsai Lake
Early wake-up at 05:30 for sunrise photography in the Chilik River valley. Return to the guest house for breakfast. After breakfast, transfer to Kolsai Lake. Arrival at the lake and trekking to its southern shore. Camp setup, lunch, and rest. Sunset photography at the lake, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Free time. Overnight in a tent camp at Kolsai Lake (approx. 2000 meters above sea level).
Total walking distance on this day is approx. 2 km
Day 6: Lower Kolsai Lake - Middle Kolsai Lake
Early wake-up at 06:30 for sunrise photography at the lake. Breakfast, camp dismantling, and trekking to the Middle Kolsai Lake. Upon arrival, rest and camp setup. Lunch by the lake shore. In the afternoon, walking and photography. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Overnight in a tent camp by the lake.
Total walking distance on this day is approx. 7 km
Day 7: Middle Kolsai Lake
Early wake-up at 06:30 for sunrise photography at the lake. Breakfast and trekking to a viewpoint overlooking the lake. Picnic lunch during the trek. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Overnight in a tent camp by the lake at an altitude of approximately 2300 meters above sea level.
Total walking distance on this day is approx. 5 km
Day 8: Middle Kolsai Lake - Upper Kolsai Lake - Middle Kolsai Lake
Early wake-up at 06:30 for sunrise photography at the lake. Breakfast and trekking to the Upper Kolsai Lake. Upon arrival, rest and picnic lunch by the lake. In the afternoon, walking and photography. Return to the camp, dinner, and preparation for the next day. Overnight in a tent camp by the lake shore.
Total walking distance on this day is approx. 12 km
Day 9: Middle Kolsai Lake - Saty Settlement
Early wake-up at 06:30 for sunrise photography at the lake. Breakfast, camp dismantling, and trekking to the Lower Kolsai Lake. Rest upon arrival. Lunch by the lake shore. In the afternoon, transfer to Saty Settlement. Accommodation in a guest house. Sunset photography in the Chilik River valley. Return to the guest house, sauna, dinner, and free time. Overnight in the guest house.
Total walking distance on this day is approx. 8 km
Day 10: Saty Settlement - Almaty
Early wake-up at 05:30 for sunrise photography in the Chilik River valley. Return to the guest house for breakfast. Transfer to Almaty after breakfast. Lunch along the way. Arrival in Almaty at approximately 19:00.
TOUR FEATURES:
The tour program is very intensive, and most camp-to-camp transfers will be off-road. You will need to wake up very early and walk extensively in search of the best photographic spots. All activities take place in mountainous terrain, where unacclimatized individuals may experience a lack of oxygen. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to refrain from alcohol consumption.
TOUR PRICE: On request
TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS:
Transport services throughout the entire route
English-speaking guide and photographer services
Shared camping equipment (tents, tables, chairs, cooking utensils)
Food for field cooking
Accommodation and meals at the Saty guest house
Permits for visiting protected natural areas and all environmental fees
Rental of pack horses for the group
TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS:
Accommodation in Almaty before/after the tour (if required)
Airport transfers (if required)
Meals not specified in the program
Rental of personal camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, care mat, utensils, etc.)
Medical insurance
Visa support and registration in Kazakhstan (if required)
Personal and other unspecified expenses
RECOMMENDATIONS ON CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT:
Considering that evenings and nights can be quite cold, be sure to bring:
Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket and pants
Warm fleece or Polartec jacket
Windproof jacket
Several sets of underwear and socks, including warm socks
T-shirts and shorts
Suitable hiking boots and lightweight camp shoes
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Head torch with adjustable brightness and spare batteries
Thermos (1–1.5 liters) or a water container
Personal hygiene items and a first aid kit (essential for chronic conditions)
Camera, waterproof case, neutral density filter, tripod, remote control, wide-angle and telephoto lenses
Anti-tick (acaricidal) repellent
Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and personal utensils
