Kolsai (Kulsai) lakes is a system of three lakes located in the northern Tien Shan in Kolsai Gorge, in Raiymbek district of the Almaty region, 10 km north of the border with Kyrgyzstan and 330 km south-east of Almaty, at an altitude of about 1,800 m, 2,200 m and 2,800 m above sea level.

The lakes, surrounded by pine forests, are known as “the pearl of the Northern Tien Shan.” The depth of the lakes can reach 50 meters.

the beauty of pristine nature

Tags: Almaty oblast

The beach in Golubaya (Blue) Bay is located on the Mangyshlak Peninsula, in the Mangistau region of Kazakhstan. The beaches of this bay are considered one of the most beautiful places on the peninsula.

You can get here, after leaving the city of Aktau in the direction of the town of Fort-Shevchenko located to the north-west. Golubaya Bay is a perfect combination of clean golden beaches and azure turquoise sea.

beautiful wild beach

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Central Kazakhstan, the cradle of ancient nomadic civilizations, consists of vast steppes and rocky oases, filled with the breath of pine needles.

Among the latter, we should mention Kent Mountains located in the Karaganda region, one of the oldest mountain ranges of the world. Photos by: Alexandr Kuznetsov.

wonderful landscapes

Tags: Karaganda oblast

Tuzkol is a small mountain lake located at an altitude of 1,950 meters above sea level in the south-east of the Almaty region, about 310 km from Almaty. The name of the lake means “salty” in the Kazakh language.

The salinity of Lake Tuzkol varies with the seasons of the year. It can reach almost the same level as in the Dead Sea in Israel or Great Salt Lake in the United States. Tuzkol is the saltiest mountain lake in Kazakhstan.

fly over Tuzkol

Tags: Almaty oblast

A long time ago this place was covered by a mountain glacier, but climate change led to its disappearance and a system of beautiful small mountain lakes formed here.

The system of lakes in the upper reaches of the Kensu River, on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, is located about 260 km from Almaty, in the Almaty region. This is a unique area of untouched wildlife with eight lakes flowing into each other. Photos by: Sergey Terekhov.

explore the lakes

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

In the south-eastern part of the mountain system Ile Alatau (the most northern ridge of Tien Shan), near Almaty, you can find three beautiful tectonic lakes. They are called Kolsai lakes.

All three lakes are surrounded by pine forests and have rich underwater flora and fauna. The water in the lakes is crystal clear. Kolsai Lakes National Park on Google Maps. Photos by: Gregory Bedenko.

Upper Kolsai Lake (2,850 meters above sea level) is the smallest of the three lakes.

beautiful lakes

Tags: Almaty oblast

Boszhira tract is located in the western part of the Ustyurt Plateau, on Mangyshlak Peninsula in the Mangistau region. The highway Necropolis Becket-Ata – Zhanaozen passes about 20 km from the tract.

As the tract covers a huge area, it will take more than one day to explore it. This place is little known and inaccessible to tourists. Everything is white here – canyons, peaks, mountains-towers, mountains-castles, mountains-yurts, etc.

almost Martian landscape

Tags: Mangystau oblast

Assy-Turgen is a mountain plateau located at an altitude of about 2,650 meters above sea level, in the Assy River valley, 100 km east of Almaty.

In addition to the picturesque alpine views this place is known for the Assy-Turgen observatory located here. Let’s go on a trip to this plateau and see how it looks in the middle of summer, in late June. Assy plateau on Google Maps. Photos by: Denis Frantsouzov.

go on a trip on Assy plateau

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes

Alakol in Kazakh means “multi-colored lake.” It is situated on the border of the east and southeast of Kazakhstan. In the south-western part its water is clean and very clear, in the north-east – the water is muddy.

The lake water is strongly mineralized and is considered therapeutic. The length of the lake is 104 kilometers, the maximum width – 52 kilometers, the depth – 54 meters. Lake Alakol on Google Maps. Photos by: Grigoriy Bedenko.

beautiful lakes

Tags: Almaty oblast · East Kazakhstan oblast

Tuzkol is the saltiest mountain lake in Kazakhstan, located in the south-east of the Almaty region, in Raiymbeksky district, about 310 km from Almaty.

The lake is quite large – the length is 5 km and the width in some places reaches 1 km. The water is very salty, but the level of salinity changes with the seasons. The maximum value is up to 300 g per liter. For comparison: in the Dead Sea, the concentration of salt is about 340-350 g per liter.

amazing scenery

Tags: Almaty oblast · landscapes