After breakfast at a guest house, we visit Kolsai-1 Lake - the biggest and deepest one from the Kolsai cascade. All three lakes (there are 3 in total) are located in the same valley but at different altitudes. The first lake is at a height of about 1800m asl. It looks like a “stretched mirror” along the gorge and has approximately 2 km in length (80m deep). The second lake also known as “Mynzhylgy” is at a height of 2000m above sea level, and the last one (Third Lake) is located at 2500m. So, we take a short hike along the First Lakeshore to take memorable pictures and see the rainbow trout frolicking in the clear water. Then back to the car and head in a direction of the next famous Kolsai attraction - Kaindy Lake.

Drive from Saty to Kaindy Lake by the ground road that follows up Kaindy Gorge. Kaindy Gorge, called after a small spring river that runs through in the depth, is located in the east of the village Saty. This unique basin lies at a height of about 1800m ASL. The lake was formed in 1911 after a huge earthquake that resulted in a big landslide from the eastern slope. The uniqueness of the lake is that after the rise of the natural dam that blocked the gorge, water that filled a basin has formed a lake but has not destroyed the spruce that had been growing in this place along the river. The upper parts of the trees sticking out of the water lost lateral branches and bark, and the wood became white. Such a pattern will delight even experienced travelers. The lower part of the “drowned” pines retained branches that were overgrown with algae under the water, thus creating a fantastic underwater landscape. We take a hike around the lake to see it from different sides.

After lunch near Kaindy Lake, we start driving back to Almaty - it may take up to 4.5 hours. Arrived in Almaty in the late afternoon.