Sights of Big Almaty Lake.

“In clear, calm weather, the lake's smooth surface reflects the entire surrounding panorama: sharp, rocky peaks; forest clumps with meadow clearings; and a blue sky dotted with clouds. The lake is quite young. During Alexander the Great's campaigns in Central Asia, it apparently did not yet exist. From almost any vantage point, you can see the part of the lake where it is filled by river sediments. The shore on that side is a flat, level river delta extending far across the valley, covered with damp, and in places, marshy meadows.”

"Nature of Kazakhstan in Essays and Pictures." N.N. Palgov. 1950.

Group tours Kazakhstan.

Short description of an excursion trip on Almaty lake:

Almaty – Big Almaty Gorge – Big Almaty Lake.

Route distance: 50 km.
Season: year-round.
Distance of active part of walk: 10 km.
Best time for the excursion: April – September.
Tour duration: 1 day.

Detailed program of walk to Big Almaty lake:

Transfer: Almaty - *Ayusay ravine (ecological post in the Big Almaty Gorge) (25 km).
From here, the hike to the lake (along the pipe) begins (5 km).
The hiking route from the barrier in the Ayusay ravine to Big Almaty Lake is a popular but challenging climb. The route is well known and frequently visited by tourists. The one-way distance to the lake is 5 kilometers, if you follow the pipe from the first hydroelectric power station.
The route begins at an altitude of 1,794 m. a. s. l. (at the environmental checkpoint barrier in the Ayusay natural landmark) and leads to the lake at an altitude of 2511 m. a. s. l. The total elevation gain is 717 meters. The average travel time (ascent) ranges from 2.5 to 4 hours one way, depending on walking pace and fitness.
The descent takes much less time. The route is classified as moderate in difficulty due to a constant and sometimes steep climb (from the 1st hydroelectric power station to the Marmarsay natural landmark, where the trail begins to flatten out).
The route is accessible to people of all fitness levels but requires endurance.
From the barrier in the Ayusay natural landmark, there are two main route options:
Distance road – 9.5 kilometers. This is a flatter and longer route that follows the main serpentine road. The trail passes through picturesque mountain scenery, but it's longer and can feel monotonous. Most tourists prefer the shorter route along the water pipe (a short but steep path):
This route is considered more interesting, quicker, and popular. The trail runs to the right, next to the pipe. This is the steepest section of the climb, where in some places the original metal steps and railings, which were made during the installation of the pipe in the late 1940s, still remain.
This route allows for a significant shortcut and reduces the climb time.
Hiking Recommendations:
Footwear: Be sure to wear comfortable, sturdy footwear (trekking boots or sneakers, depending on the season).
Water and Food: Bring plenty of water and snacks, as there are no food vendors along the route.
Clothing: The weather in the mountains is changeable; bring warm clothing and a raincoat.
Documents: Don't forget your ID, as the border area with Kyrgyzstan is nearby. Both trails eventually converge at the top and lead directly to Lake BAO.
A walk around the lake.
Big Almaty Lake is located at an altitude of 2,511 m. a. s. l. The largest lake in the Zailiskiy Alatau range is the moraine-dammed Big Almaty Lake, formed by the damming of the Big Almaty River valley by an ancient frontal moraine and a large landslide.
The lake offers a panoramic view of peaks and glaciers, including Turist high 3965 m. a. s. l., Choi-Bolsan high 4164 m. a. s. l., and Karniznaya high 4047 m. a. s. l., which are capped by Ozernaya Peak high 4126 m. a. s. l. in the south. The south is dominated by the beautiful Sovetov Peak high 4317 m. a. s. l.
The dam's core is composed of porphyry rock. The dam is approximately 500 meters high, approximately 1,000 meters long, and 500 meters wide. The maximum depth of the lake is 38 meters, and its water volume is over 13,000,000 cubic meters.
The water is clean, fresh, and cold. The lake's water level fluctuates by up to 111 cm. The lowest level is in March, and the highest is in July and August, during periods of intense glacial melt. In winter, the lake freezes over. The lake is fed by the Bolshaya Almatinka River, whose sources are in glaciers 12 kilometers south of the lake.
A pipeline runs from the lake, on which a cascade of hydroelectric power plants is built. Located 25 kilometers from Almaty, Big Almaty Lake attracts with its beauty, steep banks, sheer cliffs, moraines, and glaciers.
A picnic is offered in the surrounding area.
Return to the Ayusay natural landmark (5 km).
Transfer to the Sunkar Birds of Prey Nursery (8 km).
A visit to the nursery, where we'll see falcons, golden eagles, eagles, vultures, and eagle owls.
Transfer to Almaty (17 km)..

* Note:

Entry to Big Almaty Lake is closed to private vehicles indefinitely and remains so as of December 2025. Entry was first officially closed on October 4, 2019. The reasons cited for the closure include the need for repairs, construction of mudflow protection dams, and road safety.
In August 2023, the road was briefly reopened after three years of restrictions, but on September 27, 2023, access to private vehicles was closed again. Since then, the road remains closed to private vehicles.

Note:
 Program is Alexander Petrov author. Copying and use - from sanction of author.

Alexander Petrov
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