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Kolsai Lakes

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allain
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4 out of 5
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Kolsai Lakes

  • March 26, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by allain from paris, France
Kolsai Lakes

Kolsay lakes are three picturesque mountain lakes located in the northern part of Tien Shan in Zaili Alatau ridge. Two bottom lakes are surrounded fir trees, alpine meadow and mountain pastures. The top lake is located among rocks. Trekking Kolsay lakes is one of the most simple and beautiful routes through the mountains from Kazakhstan in Kyrgyzstan to Issyk Kul lake. The route begins on Nizhniy Kolsay Lake 380 km far from Almaty, Camp 1. It is necessary to use rented vehicles, as regular buses are not available. From Almaty here is the schedule.

Day 1 Transfer to the beginning of trek - 380 km (6 hours) to camp 1, lower Kolsay lake, situated at forest in altitude about 1800m, overnight in tents.
Day 2 First day trek, walking from the first camp around the lake, then a long the river to Camp 2 at mid-Kolsay lake (2250m), 5 hours, afternoon free for radial sightseeing overnight in tents. We had a fantastic party with the locals, singing songs & drinking vodka all over the night close to the fire.
Day 3 Walk around mid-Kolsay lake heading up to upper Kolsay lake, to camp 3, trailing trough forested area about 5 hours to altitude 2850m, tents for overnight. The water of the lake are crystal clear, but you should be brave or a penguin to have a bath here !
Day 4 Walking up along the valley to ascend the Sarybulak pass 3274m. This pass is the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The view on the Issyk-Kul lake is fantastic. This lake is so large, it is a real sea. After the pass we descend to the Sarybulak valley at altitude 2600m, where a car already waiting for us, transfer to Issyk-Kul lake to resort closed to Karakol, overnight in old soviet sanatorium.

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