What is interesting about Kaindy is the lake in Kazakhstan

Kaindy is a lake located in Kazakhstan in the mountain system of Kungei Alatau. It is popular with tourists and diving enthusiasts.

Origin of the lake

Kaindy - the lake in the geological sense is quite young, it is just over a hundred years old. The fact is that it was formed at the beginning of the last century as a result of a strong earthquake. Collapsed as a result of the earthquake, the cliffs blocked the way for the rapid mountain river, forming in its channel a natural dam. This part of the gorge gradually filled with crystal clear water, and a beautiful lake arose.

Kaindy - the lake, reaching in its longest part of the length of 400 meters, is not particularly deep. Its greatest depth is 30 meters, which, together with transparent water, makes it possible to see the bottom almost everywhere. The second interesting feature is the flooded centuries-old spruce. Despite a hundred years in the water, they did not rot. But they even saved most of their needles. True, the trees under the water are entangled in mud. Probably, the reason for such preservation of the spruces was the very low water temperature.

Kaindy Features

It is located at a height of about 2000 meters above sea level. Kaindy - the lake is very picturesque. Sticking out from the water the bare tops of the majestic centuries-old Tien-Shan coniferous trees create a special, indescribable impression of some mysteriousness, present a sense of time and eternity that has stopped. And clear water and a real fairy-tale underwater forest make it possible for absolutely unique diving under water. However, always a low water temperature (about 3 degrees) makes scuba divers use warm clothes.

Kaindy is a lake that changes its shade depending on the season and weather. The color of the water varies from gently blue to dark blue. This feature allows each time to look at the lake in a new way, revealing other facets of its beauty. Additional charm gives the "frame" of steep stony slopes, which, as it were, underlines the gentle suppleness of the watery surface. In the cold streams of the lake you can still meet trout, which was bred in the 30s of the last century for the needs of the fishing industry.

Lakeside surroundings

The surroundings of the lake are no less picturesque. Rocky slopes abound in diverse flora and fauna. Mighty spruce are interspersed with beautiful birches.
Not far away (at a distance of 5 km) there is even a large birch grove, which, apparently, gave the name to the lake ("Kaindy" can be translated as "birch"). In summer, strawberries and raspberries grow here a lot.

Problems of the lake

Occasionally the alpine lake of Kaindy in Kazakhstan is exposed to adverse effects of various natural factors. Particularly strong impact on it has crumbling mudflows, which permanently make the water turbid and unpleasant in appearance, and also reduce its depth. In particular, from the marks on the rocks you can understand that since its inception the lake has become shallower by more than 2 meters. Fortunately, such catastrophic phenomena as mudflows occur in these places not so often. During the period of the study of the lake there were only two such cases - in the eighties of the 20th century and at the beginning of this century.

It is noteworthy that before the mudflow of the year 1980 majestic trees were flooded completely. After exposing the tops, the wind and the sun eventually dried them, giving a unique look to the old masts of submerged ships emerging from the water . Particularly impressive is the appearance when the surface of the lake crawls thick fog - the terrain immediately begins to resemble fantastic films about pirates.

Recommendations for the traveler

Lake Kaindy in Kazakhstan is located at a distance of about three hundred kilometers from the capital of this country. The way to it takes about five hours by car, so it's best to expect a 2-3-day trip, taking with you everything you need. Despite the fact that in the immediate vicinity of Kaindy there are no hotel complexes, tourist houses can be found in the village of Sata. Particular attention should be paid to the fuel supply, because the last decent refueling is located 150 km from the end of the route - in Baiseit.

Since the lake is located in the nature park, a certain amount (200 tenge - for transportation of vehicles, 650 - for each visitor, and 750 more - if you want to spend the night in a tent on the territory of the park) are required to stay on its territory.

Route

Lake Kaindy on the map seems not so far from Alma-Ata. But it's impossible to get in a straight line, because the way around the mountains surrounding Kaindy (lake) blocks the way. How to get to this pond, you can find out by following the route described below. To achieve the goal you will have to make a small detour. Getting to this picturesque pond from the capital of the republic, you first need to get to the village of Zhalanash (250 km from Alma-Ata).

Then, focusing on traffic signs, turn to the settlement of Sata (in front of the bridge of the Charyn river). Before reaching Sata, before the cemetery, you should turn to the gorge, and on it to reach the barrier of the natural park and then - to the lake. As part of the road is not asphalted, you will have to wade twice across the river, it is best to use off-road vehicles or other off-road vehicles.

Kaindy is a lake that will not leave anyone indifferent. Having visited there once, definitely want to return. It's worth to visit lovers of beautiful views and bewitching photos. Lake Kaindy can not be forgotten.