Hike to Manshuk Lake

The Green Moraine-dammed Lake Manshuk (Lake No. 6) and the glacier of the same name are located in the upper reaches of the Maloalmaty Gorge at an altitude of 3600 meters.

BOOK

More details about the Mansuk lake

hiking tour in Almaty mountains, Kazakhstan

COMPLEXITY

Difficult
only for experienced hikers

DISTANCE

Hike: 8.5 km one way
Elevation gain: 1450m

LANGUAGE

English, Czech, Spanish

BACKPACK

Light,
take only basic things and snacks

DURATION

about 10 hours

SEASON

May-November

Timeline of the tour to the Manshuk lake

07:45 – 08:00

Meeting point

We will meet in the city center or near your hotel to get to Medeo and then Shymbulak by taxi

08:30– 08:35

Shymbulak

Shymbulak ski resort is where our hiking part starts, altitude is about 2200 and there is a long way ahead

08:35 – 09:00

Mountain Climber's Memorial

We will start at a good pace along the dirt road. In just 20-25 minutes, we will reach a unique place - the Memorial to alpinists died in the mountains. We stop to take in this place, where the memory of friends, comrades, renowned mountaineers is preserved

11:00 – 11:30

Mynzhylki dam

We take a short break for a snack and hot tea. The altitude is 3100 meters. Here is the meteorological station and the Mynzhylki dam. From the dam, the most exciting and steepest part begins - to Alpengrad.

13:00 – 13:30

Alpengrad

Alpengrad is a spacious field at an altitude of 3450 meters above sea level, at the foot of the peaks of Manshuk Mametova and Antikainen, from where mountaineers make ascents to the nearby peaks of the Maloalmaty Gorge. Once we reach the Alpengrad the path to the lake is not difficult and will take about 30 minutes.

13:30 – 14:30

Manshuk Mametova Lake

Finally, we've arrived! The green, mysterious Lake No. 6, nestled among the rocks and stones of the surrounding peaks! Here you can have rest, have a snack, and take photos. We will walk around the lake on the left and collect water straight from the Manshuk Glacier. The view from the glacier side offers a very interesting angle for photos, and although the path over the debris slope is challenging, it is worth it!

14:30 – 19:00

Back to the city

After lunch and photo session, we will return to the city. The way back is as long as the way up, and the rocky road can be quite exhausting, but these are minor inconveniences compared to the experiences we've had today!

List of essentials for hiking to the Manshuk Lake

Essentials

Passport (border guard document check)
Some cash
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Personal first aid kit
Trekking poles
Seat mats (optional)

Food

Water 0.5l-1l
Thermos with tea
Lunch (sandwiches, pancakes, pies, etc.)

Clothes (summer)

Trekking shirt
Fleece jacket\Hoodie
Raincoat\Hardshell jacket
Trekking trousers
Sun hat and buff
Trekking shoes\boots

Clothes
(winter)

Long sleeve (thermal)
Fleece jacket\hoodie
Snow pants
Demi-season/winter boots
Jacket
Woolen beanie and gloves
Warm socks
Headlamp
Gaiters
Crampons

What is included in the price of the Manshuk Lake tour?

Included

Hotel pickup/drop-off
Guide service
Basic first aid kit
Photo report
Consultation
Transportation (Almaty-Shymbulak-Almaty)
Snacks

Not included

Porter service
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Lunch (sandwiches, pancakes, pies, etc.)
Trekking poles (available for rent)

Price for a day hiking tour to Manshuk Lake

1 person

$180

2 persons

$200

$100/pp

3 persons

$250

$84/pp

4 persons

$280

$70/pp

5 persons

$300

$60/pp

over 5 people

calculated individually

Contact us

Request a call

Where Lake Manshuk is located?

Lake Manshuk is a moraine lake formed by the melting of the glacier of the same name. The glacier leads to the Manshuk Mametova Pass, and nearby is the peak with the same name. For tourists with average physical fitness, the route to the lake is accessible. The lake is located in the Maloalmaty Gorge. Its length is 280 meters, width 140 meters, and depth up to 21 meters, but there is a pipe for additional water discharge to prevent the water level from rising too high and increasing the risk of mudflows. This is managed by mudflow protection service.

How difficult is the path to Lake Manshuk?

TIME: The journey from Shymbulak to Lake Manshuk takes about 5-6 hours one way, depending on the physical fitness of the participants.
TERRAIN: The most difficult and steepest part of the route is from the Mynzhylky Dam to Alpengrad, where the steep trail is quite demanding and a rapid ascent can cause symptoms of altitude sickness. Most of the route consists of dirt roads or well-trodden trails with embedded stones.
PARTICIPANTS: The hike is considered difficult mainly due to the distance and elevation gain, with the steepest part being up to Alpengrad.
Distance: 17-18 km
Elevation gain: 1450 m

What dangers may arise during the Manshuk lake hike?

When climbing to a height above 2500 m.a.s.l., mountain sickness may occur with the following symptoms: headache, weakness and sickness. If such symptoms appear, you shall immediately inform your guide, make a stop, take out your bottle of water and drink as much water as possible in small sips.
To prevent mountain sickness, you can do the following: go to the mountains a week before the hike, for example, climb to Shymbulak peak, get enough sleep one day before, and have a good breakfast in the morning, take at least 1 liter of water with you, as well as a chocolate bar.
Another danger is getting sunstroke when staying in the sun without a hat. It's simple - take a Panama hat with you!
And sunscreen and glasses will also save you from the harmful effects of the sun.
Always take a raincoat or waterproof hardshell jacket - mountain weather is unpredictable!
Remember that you are solely responsible for your health - be careful!

#manshuklake #manshuklakealmaty #morainelakealmaty #morainedammedlake #hikingalmaty #guidetolakemanshuk #manshukglacier #hikingtolakewithguide #almatymountainlakes