Showing posts with label Kazakhstan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kazakhstan. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Kaindy Lake in Almaty, Kazakhstan


Lake Kaindy is a famous 400-meter long alpine reservoir located 130 kilometers east-southeast of Almaty in the Kolsai Lake National Park.  It is located 2000 meters above sea level.  It was formed during the 1911 Kebin earthquake, which caused a major landslide, effectively creating a natural dam. It is known for its submerged spruce forest rising from turquiose water.
The water temperature at Kaindy Lake remains extremely cold even during summer, ranging from around 3°C to 6°C. The lake’s mineral-rich water has helped preserve the submerged trees for more than a century, creating its iconic and breathtaking scenery. The best time to visit is generally from May to September. However, we visited in April, and the weather was already perfect for exploring the lake and enjoying its stunning surroundings.

From our accommodation in Saty Village, we were picked up by a rugged Soviet-era van, which was the perfect vehicle for the journey to Kaindy Lake. The road is rough, rocky, and mostly unpaved, with steep and uneven sections that require a sturdy four-wheel-drive vehicle. The ride itself was already an adventure, taking us through the beautiful mountain landscape and rugged terrain of the area.

From the main parking area, visitors can either rent a horse or hike to the lake. We chose to hike, which took us about 45 minutes. Although the trail was challenging in some parts, the scenic surroundings, fresh mountain air, and anticipation of seeing the famous sunken forest made the trek well worth the effort.

horse ride from the main parking to the lake


To get to Kaindy Lake from Almaty, you can either drive yourself or join a guided tour. We booked our trip with Primo PH Travel and Tours, which offered a 3D/2N package covering Almaty and Saty Village.
Our package included visits to Shymbulak, Kok Tobe, Zenkov Cathedral, Kaindy Lake, Kolsay Lakes, and the Black, Moon, and Charyn Canyons. It also included two nights of accommodation in Saty Village, making it a convenient and enjoyable way to explore the stunning natural attractions around Almaty.

Monday, August 17, 2026

Medeu in Almaty, Kazakhstan

 

Medeu is the highest-altitude large outdoor ice-skating and bandy rink in the world.  It sits 1,691 MASL, located about 14to 15 kilometers away from downtown Almaty, Kazakhstan.  But the iconic Medeu Skating Rink is closed today for two to three-year modernization to meet international standards.

Because the touristy skating rink is closed, we climbed the 842 stairs for a magnificent view offering panoramic vantage.  The view is surrounded by snow-dusted ridges, alpine trees and winding mountain roads.  From here, you can see the cable car lines going to Shymbulak Mountain Resort.



If you want to experience snow in Almaty, the ideal month to visit are in mid-December to February.  If you visit outside these months, you can still find snow year-round by heading up to the nearby mountains like in Shymbulak Mountain Resort.

To get to Medeu Sports Complex from Almaty, take Bus No. 12 and the ride takes 30 to 40 minutes and will only costs you 150 Kazakhstan Tenge.  

To get to Medeu Sports Complex from Almaty by taxi, use the Yandex Go App to book a ride.  The ride takes also around 30 to 40 minutes and will costs you 2500 to 4500 Kazakhstan Tenge depending on your starting point in Almaty.

We booked our whole 3 Days and 2 Nights Kazakhstan tour via Primo PH Travel and Tours but you can do the Medeu, Shymbulak, Kok Tobe tour by DIY and it will costs you must cheaper and enjoy your self-paced or untimed tour lets you explore at your own speed without a strict schedule. 

Friday, June 12, 2026

Kok Tobe in Almaty, Kazakhstan


Kok Tobe is Almaty's highest point at 1,100 meters and is famous for its iconic 372 meters Almaty TV Tower and a great panoramic view of the city.  The best way to get here is via cable car located near Republic Palace and Abay Metro Station.  The one way cable ride ticket costs 3500 tenge and 6000 tenge for roundtrip.

The key atttractions here are the cable car, the observation deck with view of Almaty's skyline and the Trans-lii Alatau mountains, the amusement park with ferris wheel and the alpine coaster, a Beatle's statue plus several restaurants and cafes. 
How to get here:
The most popular way to get here is via cable car from Abay Station, then walk 700 meters to the city terminal.  You can also get through here through metro buses or taxis.

Our trip to Kok Tobe is part of a 3D/2N tour with Primo PH Travel and Tours that includes 2 nights accommodation in Saty Village, tours for 3 days, 2 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner at Saty and entrances to all parks and tourist spots.
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