KAINDY LAKE

Kaindy Lake is truly a unique natural formation that was born relatively recently — at the beginning of the 20th century, thanks to a strong earthquake that occurred in 1911 in the vicinity of the city of Verniy (Almaty). Because of this, an insurmountable obstacle of collapsed stones and soil formed in the Kainda Gorge on the path of the river of the same name. As a result, the water began to fill the gorge and after a while it turned out to be quite a large beautiful lake, the uniqueness of which lies in the fact that at its bottom there was a coniferous forest completely hidden under water.

To understand the size of a natural water basin, it is worth giving statistical data. Kaindy Lake in Kazakhstan is located 130 kilometers east of the large and beautiful former capital of the republic (Almaty), rising 1.8 km above sea level. It is 400 meters long and about 100 meters wide. In the 18th year of our century, the maximum depth of a natural reservoir does not exceed 20 meters, but this was not always the case. Back in the 80s of the 20th century, the lake was significantly deeper (about 40 meters) and at the same time somewhat wider. The shallowing of Lake Kaindy in Almaty was facilitated by a strong mudflow, which partially destroyed the natural dam. Despite this, the reservoir still attracts the attention of tourists with its unsurpassed beauty.

How to get to Kaindy Lake in Kazakhstan?

If you draw a straight line on the map connecting Almaty and Kaindy, it turns out that the lake is relatively close to the city (only some 130 kilometers). But getting to it through the mountain ranges is almost an unsolvable task for an ordinary tourist. If you go on a roundabout road, then the entire route will be about 300 kilometers and at the same time the road will not be an ideal autobahn.

More or less along the normal route, you can get to the turn in the Kaindy gorge, located about a kilometer from the village of Saty. The further path will run on a real off-road and therefore choosing a vehicle for traveling it is better to stop at an SUV. By the way, the road is sure to please fans of extreme driving. The traveler will have to face steep ascents and sharp descents, will have to ford the river twice and move along blurred roads.

On the way you will meet a forester's house, and the road will be blocked by a barrier. At this point, it is necessary to pay a fare to the territory of the Kolsai Lakes National Park (environmental fee). The further route lies to the clearing with yurts, which is located almost immediately behind the grove. Here you will have to leave the car and then walk through the forest for about twenty minutes. A small path will lead to the lake and a colorful picture of the Kainda of Lake Almaty will open to the tourist's eyes.

Depending on meteorological conditions and driving skills, the entire route will take approximately 5 to 7 hours. It is best to go to a natural reservoir in non-rainy warm weather, otherwise you will have to face a very blurred road. As can be seen from the above, the answer to the question of Lake Kaindy how to get there is quite difficult and the whole way will have to be overcome in very harsh conditions, but believe me it's worth it.

The unique beauty of the natural reservoir of Kainda

The word "kaindy" is Kazakh in literal translation means "birch" or "overgrown with birch trees". But if you look at the dense forests around the lake, you will not be able to find a single birch there. All the banks are overgrown with dense fir trees. Naturally, the question arises, why is the reservoir still called that way? The explanation for this phenomenon is quite simple.

A little lower at the very entrance to the gorge is the largest birch grove in the Tien Shan Mountains, which gave the name to the river, the gorge and, accordingly, the natural reservoir that subsequently appeared. No matter from which side you look at the lake, unique and beautiful landscapes open up from everywhere, for which many tourists go to Almaty for Kaindy. The water surface of the reservoir varies depending on the weather and can have a rich blue or turquoise hue. After torrential rains fall over the lake, the color of the water changes to brown, this is facilitated by lime slurry flowing into the reservoir from the shores.

Despite the magnificent view of the shores of the reservoir, its main advantage is the sunken forest of Lake Kaindy. Massive mighty fir trees that have gone to the cart, still rise on the surface of the lake. If you look closely, then under the water you can see even the spruce paws that have not rotted, which have been preserved due to the low water temperature not exceeding + 6 degrees.

The coniferous forest at the bottom of Lake Kaindy is rightfully considered a landmark of the surrounding area.