Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Kolsay Lake - The Pearl of the Tien Shan in Kazakhstan 🏔️

 

Kolsay Lake is often called the “Pearl of the Tien Shan”, and after seeing it in person, I completely understand why. It is a stunning trio of alpine lakes nestled in the mountains of southeastern Kazakhstan, surrounded by towering peaks, lush forests, and incredibly clear, turquoise waters.

The three Kolsay Lakes are located at different elevations, ranging from around 1,800 to 2,800 meters above sea level, and each offers a different experience. The air here is so crisp, cool, and fresh—something you can immediately feel the moment you arrive.

Unfortunately, we only managed to visit the Lower Kolsay Lake, as reaching the Middle Lake requires an approximately 8-kilometer hike. Given our limited time, we decided to enjoy the lower lake instead and simply take in the beautiful scenery around us. And honestly, even just seeing the Lower Lake was already worth the trip.

One thing I noticed is that the road going to Kolsay Lake is paved and smooth, unlike the road to Kaindy Lake, which can be quite rough and bumpy. The journey to Kolsay was therefore much more comfortable, allowing us to enjoy the scenery along the way.

Before entering Kolsay National Park, there is a spot where you can rent traditional Kazakh costumes and even have the chance to hold a golden eagle, called “Berkut” in Kazakh. 🦅 We decided to try it because, honestly, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The fee was 10,000 tenge each, and all the photos were transferred directly to our phones. We ended up with a total of 80 photos for me and my son! 📸 
It was definitely one of those spontaneous travel experiences that we knew we had to try. Wearing the traditional costume while holding such a magnificent bird made the experience even more memorable.
After arriving at Kolsay National Park, it takes only around 10 minutes of walking to reach the main viewing area. The trail is very easy and manageable, so you don't need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the lake. Once you reach the viewpoint, you are greeted by the breathtaking sight of the lake surrounded by mountains and pine forests. 🌲🏔️

The most popular activities here are hiking, horseback riding, and boating. For those who have more time, hiking further toward the other lakes would definitely be worth considering. For us, simply sitting by the lake, enjoying the cold mountain air, and admiring the scenery was already enough.

Most of the tourists we encountered were either on a two- or three-day tour, and we were also part of a three-day tour organized by Primo PH Travel and Tours.

Our three-day tour package was pretty convenient because almost everything was already taken care of, including two nights of accommodation in Saty Village. The only additional expenses we had were for activities such as horseback riding and boating, as well as food at some of the tourist spots.

Overall, Kolsay Lake was one of the highlights of our Kazakhstan trip. 🇰🇿❤️ There is something incredibly peaceful about being surrounded by mountains, forests, and crystal-clear alpine water. It is the kind of place where you don't need to do much—you can simply stand there, breathe in the fresh air, and appreciate how beautiful nature can be.

Kolsay Lake is definitely a place I would love to visit again someday, hopefully with more time to hike toward the other lakes. 🏔️💙


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