Things to do in Kegen

No. 2 of Night Attractions in Kazakhstan

Kolsai Lake

Kolsai Lake is located in the Kungei Alatau valley and consists of three alpine lakes connected in a staggered sequence from bottom to top, with altitudes of approx. 1,800 m, 2,250 m, and 2,700 m respectively. Known as the "Three Pearls of the Tian Shan," it is an alpine lake destination near Almaty. The three lakes were formed over a century ago when a strong earthquake triggered landslides that dammed the valley. The lake water comes from glacial melt and has a transparent blue-green color, while the slopes around the lakes are covered with Schrenk's spruce forests. The lower lake is accessible by road and is the starting point for most visitors. The water is clear, and you can often see schools of rainbow trout swimming. Following the valley trail upstream, you can reach the middle lake, which has a wide surface, and the upper lake, which is surrounded by spruce forests and alpine meadows. The hike from the lower lake to the middle lake takes approx. 3 to 4 hours. You can also travel by horse. Picnicking, camping, and cycling by the lake are common activities.

No. 2 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Kazakhstan

Lake Kaindy

Lake Kaindy is an alpine barrier lake deep in the Tian Shan mountains of Kazakhstan, at an altitude of approx. 2,000 m. The lake's name means "birch" in Kazakh, and it is also known as "Birch Lake." The 1911 Kebin earthquake triggered a massive limestone landslide that blocked the valley to form a natural dam, creating the lake while submerging an entire spruce forest, which is how the term "underwater forest" originated. Today, the white dead trees protruding from the water are an iconic sight here: the branches and bark above the water have long since peeled away, leaving the wood bleached white, standing silently in the lake like the masts of a sunken fleet; the branches and leaves beneath the surface have not decayed for years due to the year-round icy water and are covered in algae, and when diving, you can see the nearly intact underwater trees. The lake water takes on a blue-green hue due to limestone and minerals, and it also changes with the light and seasons. Although the water temperature is very low year-round, it is still a popular destination for diving enthusiasts, and in winter, you can experience ice diving and trout fishing. The lake can reach a depth of nearly 30 m. To reach the lake area, you usually need to go to the village at the foot of the mountain first, and the latter part of the journey is mostly on bumpy dirt roads. Hiking or traveling by horse are both common, and Kolsai Lake is often included in the same itinerary.

Charyn Canyon view point

Black canyon

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Kazakhstan

Charyn Canyon National Park

Charyn Canyon National Park is located approx. 200 km east of Almaty, in a semi-desert area near the China-Kazakhstan border. The main body of the park consists of a canyon system carved by the Charyn River over tens of millions of years: stretching approx. 154 km, with depths reaching 200–300 m, the red sandstone has been shaped into rugged rock pillars and steep cliffs by long-term erosion from wind and water. The entire park is composed of several canyons with distinct styles. Valley of Castles is the signature of the canyon, with ochre-red cliffs over 100 m high and rock pillars resembling ancient castles and towers. You can descend from the observation deck along a zigzag path to the valley floor, then walk 2–3 km, passing through narrow rock corridors, all the way to the banks of the Charyn River; Valley of the Moon presents a different face, with grayish-white, rounded hills resembling the lunar surface; in addition, there is the Black Canyon, known for its black cliffs and panoramic river valley views, as well as the more secluded Temirlik Canyon. The canyon is home to over 1,500 species of plants, more than 10 of which are listed in the Kazakhstan Red Data Book, and the park also preserves a rare ash forest.

Kolsai Lakes National Park

Kolsai Lake National Park Office

Lower Kolsai Lake

Chernyy Kan'on, Almaty Region

Sharyn