Have You Ever Seen Trees Growing From the Lake? Come to Kazakhstan!

✨️If you’re ever in Almaty and craving a touch of the unreal, Kaindy Lake is the place. (4.5 hours away from the city) Tucked high in the Tian Shan mountains of eastern Kazakhstan, this turquoise pocket of water feels more like a scene from a fantasy movie. 🥾Getting there: ➡️Kaindy is about 120–140 km east of Almaty (roughly a 4 hour drive depending on traffic and road conditions). Many travelers combine Kaindy with the nearby Kolsai Lakes — it’s on the same route toward the Kegen/Saty area. ➡️The last stretch is rough. You can't go there on a regular car. You should rent special "buhanka" or a high-clearance car, and the driver will get you there (45 mins from Saty). They will also wait for you there to bring you back to the town. ➡️You can bargain and ask for 25000 tenge per car. But you should have a skill. Normally, they would ask for 30000-35000 tenge per car. ➡️The car won't take you directly to the lake. You'll either have to walk 40 mins up the hill, or you can ride a horse, which is extra price. We went there on foot, but get ready for the dirt and horse's excrements all the way. You can ride a horse on the way back too, if you prefer. ✨️Best spots: ➡️When you get to the place with 2 roads, one going down, the other one going up, take the one up. After approx 200 meters, you'll get the best view of the lake. Mountains, the whole lake, clouds, and no people. The tours would never get you there, as they all go down. But the view from the top is gorgeous 😍. Check out the 2 and 4th pics. ➡️Afterward, go down straight to the lake and see those trees closer. 2 hours would be enough for the whole place. The combination of mountain scenery, glassy turquoise water, and those eerie submerged trunks creates an atmosphere that’s peaceful, slightly surreal, and utterly photogenic. 💡Tips: Take a raincoat and dress in layers as you never know the weather in the mountains. Comfy CLOSED-type shoes are a must! CASH might be needed for horse riding or entrance fee. #kazakhstan #kaindylake #almatynature #kazakhstantravel #lake #mountainview #mountains