Terra Nova Collective
Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes
A chain of alpine lakes set between towering peaks. Hike from Kolsai-1 to Kolsai-2 to escape the tourists and be purely at one with nature, and visit Kaindy Lake, where a submerged forest rises straight from turquoise water.
Kazakhstan
Peaks, Deserts & Alpine Lakes
- Duration
- 10 days
- Trip style
- Nature/ Hiking
- Effort
- Moderate effort
- Region
- Central Asia
A journey through dramatic contrasts. Begin in Almaty, a cultural capital framed by alpine peaks. Follow the old Silk Road corridors into deep canyons, singing dunes, high mountain passes, and turquoise glacial lakes.
A road trip across Kazakhstan’s mountains, deserts and alpine lakes, tracing a route from vibrant Almaty to the wild edge of the Tian Shan
Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country on earth and this itinerary explores one of its most beautiful regions. Kazakhstan blends the modern energy of Almaty with some of Central Asia’s most unusual landscapes: turquoise reservoirs perched high in the mountains, desert dunes that hum in the wind, vast canyons carved by ancient rivers, and remote alpine lakes hidden deep in fir forests.
This itinerary takes you across the southeast of the country in one sweeping arc, combining city culture, Soviet history, steppe landscapes and mountain days. You’ll hike to blue Kolsai 1 & 2 and Kaindy lakes, climb sand dunes that “sing” in Altyn Emel National Park, wander through the Charyn Canyon carved over millions of years, and spend nights in family guesthouses surrounded by mountains.
It’s an adventurous but accessible journey designed for independent travellers who want both cultural context and natural wonder. The days alternate between scenic drives, gentle hikes, and cultural stops in small villages and national parks.
Highlights
Altyn-Emel’s Singing Dunes
A surreal desert landscape where a 150-metre sand dune vibrates like an organ pipe when the wind blows, one of Central Asia’s most surprising natural wonders.
Almaty's Nearby Peaks
Ride into the Tien Shan mountains only 30 minutes from Almaty city centre to Big Almaty Lake (hike or cycle up) and Shymbulak for some great hikes (and skiing in winter!)
The route
Day 1: Arrive in Almaty / Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral and Green Bazaar
Day 2: Almaty / Republic Square, Central State Museum and Kok Tobe Hill
Day 3: Big Almaty Lake day trip from Almaty / alpine reservoir and Tien Shan viewpoints
Day 4: Almaty → Shymbulak / Medeu → Basshi / mountain gondolas then drive into the steppe
Day 5: Basshi → Altyn Emel National Park / Singing Dunes and desert landscapes
Day 6: Aktau & Katutau Mountains → Saty / badlands, volcanic formations and long drive to the lakes region
Day 7: Kolsai Lakes trek from Saty / forest trails, alpine lakes and optional camping
Day 8: Kaindy Lake day trip from Saty / submerged forest and turquoise mountain lake
Day 9: Saty → Charyn Canyon → Almaty / Valley of Castles and return to the cityDay 10: Almaty / final city time, shopping and departure
Start the journey
The first part of the day-by-day route, free to read.
Day 1: Arrival in Almaty
Arrive in Kazakhstan’s cultural capital, a city framed by the Tien Shan mountains. Depending on arrival time, explore leafy Panfilov Park, Zenkov Cathedral, and the Green Bazaar. Get your first taste of Central Asian cuisine with manti, lagman or plov. If you are already fancying another cuisine, Darejani for Georgian is great.
Get the full Kazakhstan itinerary
- The rest of the day-by-day route, 9 more detailed entries
- Where to stay, by budget
- Where to eat and drink
- Practical reminders and cautions
- Ways to shorten or extend the trip
- 14 photos from the trip
- A direct line to the traveller who led it
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Open the full itineraryFrom travellers on this trip
“This trip only covered a tiny proportion of this vast country, yet we saw a huge variety of different landscapes in the space of a short week - dunes, canyons, lakes, mountains and snow! I truly felt like it covers Kazakhstan very comprehensively.”
“The hike to Kolsai Lake Two was unreal. It follows a river under these beautiful trees before opening up on this immense landscape. Like the Alps but on a much larger scale. There were no people which made it super special and definitely worth it over staying on Kolsai 1, which has car park access and is therefore a lot more touristy. Camping there was a great idea and thank god for the horse men that could carry our stuff up.”
“Almaty felt so easy and modern: you get e-bikes and scooters around, some great local restaurants and a very friendly culture. The nightlife was great, everyone was super friendly and approachable and keen to tell us more about their country”
