Kolsai Lakes

The lakes formed when landslides blocked the Kolsai River, and Wikipedia's account of the park dates the lakes of the area to landslide and tectonic events around 1887 and 1911. For a long time the area was little visited, which has helped keep its forests and meadows in good condition.

The Kolsai Lakes State National Nature Park was created in 2007 and covers about 1,619 square kilometres. Around 72 per cent of its territory is under strict protection and about 13 per cent is set aside for tourism and recreation, and the park is part of UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Scientists have recorded more than 700 plant species and around 50 mammal species, among them rare animals such as the snow leopard, the Tian Shan brown bear, the Turkestan lynx and the argali.

The village of Saty, at the foot of the ranges, is the gateway to both the Kolsai lakes and Lake Kaindy, and it has guesthouses and campsites that make it the usual base for an overnight stay. Guesthouses are also found close to the lower lake. This is a rural, mountainous area of Kegen District, so services are simpler than in Almaty and visitors usually arrange food and accommodation in advance.