A sunken forest among emerald water. Camping at Kaindy lake makes you feel you should be in the latest sci-fi movie!
The best thing about camping at Lake Kaindy
Waking up from a night of camping at Lake Kaindy was amazing. Surrounded by the Tian Shan mountains, the landscape is awe-inspiring. Countless tree trunks sprout out of the sometimes emerald, sometimes turquoise, sometimes deep blue water, make Lake Kaindy truly is an unbelievable place.
Perhaps the best thing about this lake, is it still retains its sense of solitude even though Almaty is close by. This is partly due to there being two other more famous lakes (Bolshoe Almatinskoe Lake and the Kolsay Lakes) in the area which draw most of the visitors. Under the water, the trees have not yet decomposed. Making the most perfect underwater forest.
What do you need to know for camping at Kaindy lake?
The first thing to know it gets very cold at night. With an altitude over 2000 meters, temperatures get down to below freezing in the winter and 6C in the summer.
You are allowed to camp anywhere you want. Around the shoreline there is plenty of space to pitch the tent.
There is also a strict rule of no campfires anywhere around the lake.
Bring enough food, as there are only a few convenience stores dotted around the area.
Bring toilet paper as places often don’t have a good supply.
Source – Serial Hikers
Where is it?
Located 80 miles from Almaty in the Kolsai Lakes National Park, the lake is set among high mountains with a large amount of wildlife and trails for hikers to enjoy. The unique blend of colours is created by limestone deposits in the water, and with trees growing out of the lake, it has birthed the name, ”The Sunken Forest”.
History of the lake
After a large earthquake in 1911, causing a landslide. Water started to collect in the valley left behind from the natural disaster making the lake after a few years.
When to go?
June to September are the ideal months to visit and camp here, as the winter months are so cold that it can get below freezing. You need to bear in mind that in the summer months, you may need to share the space with others.
The perfect time is either side of the peak season (so late May or late September). It is the ideal mix of peacefulness and bearable conditions.
The winter months are definitely not the right time to visit. The heavy snowfall leads to hiking paths getting closed. However if you are well-equipped, go right ahead if you want the place to yourself and feel up to the challenge!
Emerald water caused by limestone deposits
