Kolsai: three lakes

Two day trekking tour to all three lakes of Kolsai

More details about the Kolsai: three lakes

trekking tour in Almaty mountains, Kazakhstan
COMPLEXITY
Average
accessible to a physically active person
DISTANCE
Transportation: 330 km one way
Hike: 12km one way
LANGUAGE
English, Czech, Spanish
BACKPACK
Heavy (10-12kg)
group eguipment is handed out between all participants
DURATION
2 days
OVERNIGHT
1 night in tents

Timeline of the tour Kolsai: three lakes

Day 1
06:00 – 06:30
Day 1
06:00 – 06:30
Meeting point
We will meet in the city center or near your hotel. We usualy have a bus for the tour or a car for small groups. We will also hand out some gear among the participants
12:00 – 12:30
12:00 – 12:30
Kolsai: 3rd lake
We will have lunch near the first Kolsai lake and then we will hit the road to the middle lake. We won’t stay there for long; we’ll get a good look at the lower lake as we climb the path along the right bank.
13:00 – 18:00
13:00 – 18:00
Middle Kolsai
The middle Kolsai is even more picturesque than the lower one and will greet us with an extraordinary sunset landscape. There we will set up camp and in the evening having dinner in a warm circle we will discuss the beauty of this place and share our impressions.
Day 2
06:00 – 7:00
Day 2
06:00 – 7:00
Breakfast
After breakfast we will get ready to hit the road! An exciting day will await us! Leaving the camp on the second lake, taking with us only the necessary minimum, we will go to the upper Kolsai
11:00 – 12:00
11:00 – 12:00
Upper Kolsai
Incredible landscapes of the upper lake open up to our eyes!
The wildest and most untouched of the three Kolsai lakes at an altitude of 2700 meters above sea level - and here it is, before our eyes! There we will have lunch, take plenty of photographs and return to camp.
14:00 – 16:30
14:00 – 16:30
Back to the bus
Back at camp we will have lunch, pack up camp and head down to the lower lake.
17:00 – 22:00
17:00 – 22:00
Back to the city
This trip may be the brightest and most colorful event of this year! Kolsai remains in my heart forever!

List of essentials for trekking to Kolsai?

Essentials
  • Headlamp
  • Mug, spoon, bowl, knife, bottle (1-2 l)
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Hygiene supplies
  • Small towel
  • Personal first aid kit
  • Raincoat
Gear
  • Backpack (60 - 90 l) + raincover
  • Sleeping bag (comfort 0...-5°C)
  • Camping mat
  • Seat mats (optional)
  • Trekking poles
  • Trekking boots/sneakers
  • Second pair of shoes (light sneakers or sandals)
Clothes
  • Trekking shirt (1-2pcs)
  • Termal underware
  • Fleece\Hoodie
  • Hardshell jacket (or down jacket)
  • Trekking trousers
  • Underwear
  • Extra socks + warm socks
  • Sun hat and buff
  • Woolen beanie
Additionally
  • Passport (border guard document check)
  • Some cash
❗ Leave some space in your backpack for group equipment and food
What is included in the price of a trip to Kolsai?
Included
Hotel pickup/drop-off
Guide service
Basic first aid kit
Photo report
Consultation
2 meals a day (lunch, dinner, breakfast, lunch)
Tents (for 2-3 people)
Not included
Transportation ~ $170
Porter service
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Sleeping bag, mat, backpack and other personal items necessary for a multi-day mountain hike can be rented by request

Price for individual tour to the Kolsai lakes

does not include transportaion or other extra-expenses.
1 person
$330
2 persons
$370
$185/pp
3 persons
$430
$144/pp
over 4 people
calculated individually
Additional expences
transportation is required for this tour,
the price for 1 car starts from $180

Request a call

Where are the Kolsai lakes located?

The Kolsai lakes are located in the Kulsay (Kolsai) gorge between the Trans-Ili Alatau and Kungei Alatau ridges. Kolsay lakes are located on the territory of the Raiymbek district of the Almaty region and are located 10 km north of the border with Kyrgyzstan, 300 km from Almaty.There are 3 lakes in total, they are located at an altitude of about 1000 m, 2500 m, 2700 m above sea level. The Kolsai lakes are surrounded by a picturesque forest of Tien Shan spruce . The depth of the lakes reaches 50 m in which you can find splashing rainbow trout .Our path will run from the first (lower) Kolsai lake to the middle and upper, wilder and less crowded.

How long does it take to get to the Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy?

The distance from Almaty to the Kolsai Lakes is about 300 km and takes about 4-4.5 hours. The distance from Almaty to the village of Saty is about 280 km.

How difficult is the hike to Kolsai?

This is a fairly simple hike, with the main part of the walking taking place on the second day. From the first to the second Kolsai lake, the journey takes approximately 4-5 hours, which, in principle, is feasible for any person with average physical shape, but you need to take into account that you will have a heavy backpack. If you have never had trekking experience, then in order to be more confident in your abilities, first go on a one-day hike, so you will better understand what kind of activity awaits you.
Distance: from lower to middle lake 7.2 km; middle to upper - 3.8km.
Elevation: 596m to middle lake and 430m from middle to upper

Refund policy for trekking tours

1-2 day tours: If the cancellation is made at least 72 hours in advance, a full refund (100%) will be provided. If the cancellation is made less than 72 hours in advance, a 70% refund will be provided. If the cancellation is made less than 48 hours in advance, a 50% refund will be provided. No refund will be given for cancellations made on the day of the service.
Multiday tours: If the cancellation is made at least 15 calendar days in advance, a full refund (100%) will be provided. If the cancellation is made less than 15 calendar days in advance, the refund will be issued minus actual expenses incurred (such as advance payments for transfers, hotel reservations, food purchases, tickets, etc.), but not exceeding 70% of the tour price. If the cancellation is made less than 7 calendar days in advance, a 50% refund of the tour price will be provided.

Meals during trekking tour in Almaty mountains

Food prepared during a hike is different from food in the city. We usually bring grains to cook on gas stoves. Typically, in the morning we prepare porridge: oatmeal, grain porridge, rice porridge, and we add cookies and tea.
Lunch depends on where we are eating and how much free time we have. In trekking tours, lunch often takes place on the go, so we usually make sandwiches with bread, cheese, and sausage, along with tea and a piece of candy.
For dinner, we usually have enough time to cook, so we typically prepare a side dish of buckwheat or pasta along with sliced beef. Tea and sweets are always included. We only bring vegetables on two-day hikes because they are perishable.
If you have any dietary restrictions or preferences, please inform your guide, and we will make sure to consider them when planning the menu.

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