Travel Kolsay lake in Kazakhstan.

"There are beautiful trees that retain their leaves until the very frost, and after the frost, they stand green until the snowstorms. They are wonderful. So are people: they have endured everything in this world, and yet they themselves become even better until their death."

Mikhail Mikhailovich Prishvin.

Geographical location Northern Tien-Shan and Zailiskiy Alatau ridge.

Northern Tien-Shan stretches from west to east for 400 km. It is divided into two ranges – Zailiski Alatau (“the first range behind Ili river”) and Kungey Alatau (“bright snowy mountains faced to the sun”). Zailiski Alatau is 280 km long and up to 60 km wide. Its northern slopes belong to South-Eastern part of Kazakhstan.
Kungey Alatau (275 km long and up to 31 km wide) is situated completely in Kyrgyzstan. The highest point of Kungey Alatau is Chaktal peak 4771 m. a. s. l. and of Zailiski Alatau - Talgar peak 5017 m. a. s. l. All this mountain system belongs to Chiliko-Keminski mountain junction. 
The highest part of the ridge is situated between Kastek 2825 m. a. s. l. in the west and Amanjol 3510 m. a. s. l. passes in the east. It is about 180 km long. The biggest glaciers: Korzhenevskogo, Bogatyr, Shokalskogo, Tuyk-Su, Djangaryk.

Brief description of a route of an rafting on river Chilik, walks on horses on lake Kolsay and walks on lake Kaindy in Zailiiskiy and Kungey Ala Tau:

Almaty - Bartogay reservoir - canyons Chatyn - settlement Zhalanash - settlement Saty - nature park "Kolsay kolderi" lake Kolsay - lake Koyandy - Almaty.

Distance of route: 779 km.
Seasonality: from May, 25th till September, 15th.
Best time for travel: June - August.
Size of group: no more than 8 person.
Duration: 3 days and 2 nights.

Detailed program of tour day by day in mountains Semirechye:

A brief description of route: rafting on Chilik River, horseback riding to Lake Kolsay, and a walk to Lake Kaindy in Zailiysky and Kungey Alatau:

Almaty - Bartogay Reservoir - Charyn Canyons - Zhalanash Village - Saty Village - Lake Kolsay - Lake Koyandy - Almaty.

A detailed day-by-day tour itinerary in Semirechye Mountains:

Tourist travel Kazahstan.

Day 1. Almaty - Bartogay Reservoir - Charyn Canyons - Zhalanash Village - Saty Village - Lower Kolsay Lake (457 km).

Arrival in Almaty, meeting at the airport. Transfer to the hotel, check-in. Rest. Breakfast.
Transfer: Almaty - Bartogay Reservoir (220 km, 3 hours).
Preparation for rafting down the Bartogay Canyon.
Rafting along the Bartogay Canyon (13 km).
The rafting ends on the right bank of the river in a garden at the end of the canyon and near the village of Malybai. Lunch.
Transfer to the Charyn Canyons through the Kokpek Gorge (74 km).
Walk into the canyon to the Glade of Castles by the Charyn River. Return to the descent point.
Transfer: Charyn Canyons – Zhalanash Village – Saty Village – Lake Kolsay Lower (109 km).
Arrival at a guesthouse near Lake Kolsay Lower check-in. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2. Lake Kolsay Lower – Lake Kolsay Middle (9 km + 9 km = 18 km).

Breakfast. Today we will take a horseback ride to Lake Kolsay Middle, located at an altitude of 2,252 m. a. s. l. This lake is located nine kilometers from Lake Kolsay Lower. The trail runs along the left bank of the lake, offering magnificent views of Lakes Kolsay and the surrounding mountains. Lake Kolsay Lower is home to king trout.
The Kolsay River flows into the lake from the south, and the lake is over two kilometers long and up to 80 meters deep. The beautiful Kolsay Lake Middle is surrounded by high mountains, with the Kolsay River flowing from its southern side. Lunch at Kolsay Lake Middle. Return to Kolsay Lake Lower.
Dinner and overnight at a guesthouse.

Day 3. Kolsay Lake Lower – Lake Kaindy, 1,887 meters above sea level (304 km).

Breakfast. Drive to Lake Kaindy (21 km).
This beautiful lake in the Northern Tien Shan contains the trunks of Tien Shan spruce trees, surrounded by tall Tien Shan spruce trees. A walk around Lake Kaindy, descent to the lake, and a walk to the mouth of the Kaindy River. Lunch.
Return to Almaty (283 km).
Arrival in Almaty, transfer to the hotel, and check-in.

The note:

1. The rafting trip down the Bartogay Canyon is a Category 3 difficulty trip with Category 4 elements and a water flow rate of 80 cubic meters per second. The rafting distance is 22 km, and the duration is 1.5 hours, excluding stops on the river.
2. The horseback ride to Lake Kolsay Srednee requires physical fitness and some horseback riding experience.

The note:
Author program is Alexander Petrov. Copying and use of a material - from the sanction of the author.

Photos by:
Alexander Petrov.