Updated: 10 September 2026 · ALMATY VISTA editors
The Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy lie in the mountains in the south-east of the region, about 300 km from Almaty. Best season: late May to early October – roads open, trails dry, water at its brightest.
Summer brings the most visitors, so an early start and a night in Saty make the trip calmer. In September and early October the forest turns yellow – photographers’ favourite time.
In winter and early spring the road to Kaindy can be hard even for a 4×4, and trails to the upper lakes are snowbound. Charyn or city programmes are better then.
