Mid September, the Autumn time in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Autumnal aura of gold and green all around. A distinct scent and beautiful weather for outdoor fun. I seized each moment to rejoice with plenty of hikes in the mountains.
Sharing three mountain destinations that impressed me a lot…
KAINDY LAKE
I have seen lakes and I have seen forests but when I saw forest under the lake, I got an eerie feeling. This is exactly what happened at Kaindy Lake. Yet I loved the bizarre landscape of Kaindy Lake that took its form due to a century old phenomenon which created the lake atop a spruce forest.
A dead lake. Sunken forest. Roots of spruce trees drowned yet their trunks tower over water which look a bit spooky.
In 1911, an earthquake caused a massive limestone landslide forming a natural dam by blocking the gorge. Mountain river water and rainfall filled the dam submerging the forest and forming a lake.
Kaindy lake is a 300 km drive from Almaty but it’s not easy to reach there. Last stretch can be covered only in a vehicle meant for rough terrain. There are hiking and horse riding trails near the lake.
KOLSAI LAKE
Kolsai and Kaindy lakes are situated in Kolsai Lakes National Park, close to the Kyrgyzstan border. Nestled amidst lush green surroundings of Tian Shan Mountains, Kolsai Lake is a set of three lakes at different heights, fondly called as the Pearls of Tian Shan.
Kolsai Lake is easily accessible by road, which makes it a popular choice among locals and tourists. Lake is a four hour drive from Almaty. Boating, horse riding, hiking, camping, a plethora of activities to engage near the lake. I grabbed a photo op as well at the lake.
MEDEU
The mountainous region of Medeu is very close to Almaty. Stunning vistas with snow clad mountains in the backdrop. Moderate hikes. As a matter of fact, you can create your own hiking trail in this region.
Medeu is famous as the largest high-mountain ice skating rink in the world. Several world records have been established here that give it the nickname ‘the factory of records.’
A riot of autumn colors wrapped me in warmth and joy…
Those colors are so beautiful! This is why I love fall so much.
Truly so.
Beautiful colors. I love fall and all that it brings. The cooler weather is much appreciated.
I love fall for its golden aura.
This looks like a great place to hike in the fall! The underwater forrest looks interesting!
Very interesting and intriguing.
Looks like autumn is a wonderful season to visit Kazakhstan. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences!
Yes. Pleasant weather and beautiful panorama.
These trees look really Autumn feeling! The trees don’t change colors so much where I live.
Golden hue looks so beautiful.
I appreciate the detailed info on how to reach these spots too. This post definitely has me dreaming of a family trip to explore autumn colors and nature hikes!
You should plan with your family.
Such beautiful colours and views, you can really see how the seasons are changing
Truly so.