Lake Kaindy
Lake Alpine lake with submerged pine forest
A mountain lake in the Tian Shan, Kaindy is known for submerged spruce trunks rising from turquoise water; visitors hike or ride horseback to photograph the drowned forest and combine it with nearby Kolsai Lakes.
Lake Kaindy is a mountain lake in the Kungey Alatau range of southeastern Kazakhstan, notable for standing dead trees that rise above its surface. The lake occupies a narrow canyon and is visually distinctive for the submerged trunks.
The site is visited for short treks, photography, and to view the submerged forest and clear alpine water. The lake is relatively small in surface area compared with large regional lakes but striking because of its vertical tree trunks.
The lake was formed when a large landslide blocked a mountain gorge and created a natural dam; subsequent inundation preserved standing trees in the newly formed basin.
Lake Kaindy lies in the Almaty Region of Kazakhstan in a high-mountain valley of the Tian Shan mountains, accessed from roads and trails that lead into the Kolsay-Kaindy area from nearby towns.
- Submerged forest: Known for submerged tree trunks that protrude above the water surface, relics of forest inundated when the valley was dammed by a landslide.
Tips for Visiting Lake Kaindy #
- Schedule your visit for early morning when the sun brings out the lake's submerged trunks and the surface is often calm for the best photographs; midday tours tend to be busier.
- Access is normally arranged from the village of Saty (day-trip or as part of a guided outing from Almaty); expect an uphill/steep path from the parking area down to the shoreline rather than vehicle access right to the water.
- Allow time to walk the ridgelines above the lake - many visitors focus only on the shore and miss higher viewpoints that offer the best perspective on the sunken forest and the lake's unusual geometry.
Best Time to Visit Lake Kaindy #
The lake is best visited in summer (June-September) when trails are clear and the unique submerged forest is accessible.
Weather & Climate near Lake Kaindy #
Lake Kaindy's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -13°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (677 mm/year).
January
January is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -12°C. The driest month with just 23 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -13°C. The driest month with just 23 mm and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 90 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -9°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
