Imagine a lake from whose mirror-like surface the dried trunks of centuries-old spruces stick out, like the petrified fingers of giants. This is not a scene from a science fiction film or a surreal dream. This is Lake Kaindy — one of the most unusual and photogenic places on the planet, located in the heart of the mountain Tien Shan in Kazakhstan.
How did this wonder come to be?
Lake Kaindy has an amazing and dramatic history. It was formed just over a hundred years ago, as a result of the Kemino earthquake of 1911. Powerful tremors caused a huge landslide that came down from the mountains and blocked the gorge of the Kaindy River, creating a natural dam of stones and rocks.
Very little time passed, and water from mountain streams filled the resulting basin, gradually flooding a grove of Tien Shan spruces that had grown here. Thus, as a result of a devastating catastrophe, a unique natural masterpiece was born.
What makes Lake Kaindy unique?
The main and most striking feature of Kaindy is its submerged forest. The trunks of spruces flooded almost a century ago have been perfectly preserved in the icy water. Because the water temperature rarely rises above +6°C even in the height of summer, the decay process is slowed down, and the centuries-old trees stand at the bottom as they did on the day of the disaster.
What you see above the water are just the tops of the giants, while their massive trunks are hidden in the water column. The clarity of the water is so great that on a clear day you can see the underwater forest to a depth of several meters. Some trunks, overgrown with calcareous deposits and algae, resemble sunken ship masts or stalactites in an underwater cave.
The water in Lake Kaindy has a stunning bright turquoise hue, which gives it an extraordinary beauty. This color is due to the limestone rocks washed out from the surrounding mountains. In winter, the lake freezes, which only adds to its extraterrestrial beauty.
Are there similar lakes in the world?
This phenomenon is not unique, but Lake Kaindy is one of the most spectacular and famous examples of a "submerged forest." Similar phenomena can be found in other parts of the world where forested areas were flooded as a result of natural or man-made disasters. Among them:
• Lake Biez (Romania), where the spires of a church and the tops of trees from a flooded village are visible above the water.
• Caddo Lake (USA, Texas), where old cypresses rise above the water and, unlike the Kaindy spruces, continue to grow.
• Lake Periyar (India) and other artificial reservoirs in different countries around the world.
However, it is Kaindy that is often called the most beautiful and photogenic submerged forest. Its location surrounded by majestic mountains and the incredible clarity of the water make this place truly unique.
Kaindy for divers
Lake Kaindy is a true mecca for divers seeking unusual experiences. The opportunity to swim among the vertical trunks of centuries-old spruces, to see the sun`s rays piercing their crowns at depth, is an experience that is impossible to forget.
When diving, a breathtaking landscape opens up: an entire forest standing at the bottom. The branches of the trees are covered with algae and calcareous deposits, which gives them an even more bizarre and ancient appearance. The main challenge for divers is the low water temperature (about +6°C even in summer), which requires the use of a special wetsuit. Visibility may vary depending on the weather and season.
It is important to remember that diving in Lake Kaindy requires special permission and equipment, so it is better to plan a dive as part of an organized group with an experienced instructor.
How to get to Lake Kaindy from Almaty?
Getting to Kaindy is a small adventure, but every year it becomes more and more comfortable.
The distance from Almaty is approximately 280-300 kilometers, and the journey takes about 4-5 hours. You need to head east, passing through the village of Kegen along the highway leading to the well-known Kolsay Lakes. The road passes through picturesque places.
Previously, the final 12-kilometer stretch from the village of Saty to the lake was a serious test for off-road vehicles, often impassable for ordinary cars. However, since September 2026, the situation has changed dramatically! A new asphalt road has been laid all the way to the lake, and you can drive to the equipped parking lot in any car, located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the lake.
From the new parking lot, there is about 1 kilometer left along a mountain trail to the lake itself, which can be covered on foot. There is also an option to get from the parking lot directly to the water in local UAZ vans for a fee.
What can you see and do on site?
Convenient viewing platforms have been built on the shore of the lake, offering the best views of the submerged forest and the turquoise water. You can also walk up the road to see the lake from above and appreciate the scale of the natural disaster.
A trail has been laid around the lake, allowing you to walk around it and enjoy the views from different sides. Kaindy is a paradise for photographers. Particularly impressive shots are taken in the morning and evening hours, as well as in cloudy weather, when the water acquires rich turquoise shades.
Practical information
The best time to visit is from June to September. During these months, the weather is most stable, and the roads and trails dry out well. In summer, it can be warm in the mountains during the day, but it is always cool near the water.
Entry to the territory of the Kolsay Lakes National Park is subject to a fee. The cost is charged per car and ranges from 2,500 tenge depending on its category.
Be sure to bring comfortable closed-toe shoes, warm clothes (windbreaker, fleece), a raincoat, as the weather in the mountains changes instantly, and, of course, a camera. Bring water and snacks with you, as the infrastructure at the lake itself is limited.
Lake Kaindy is not just a tourist attraction. It is a living reminder of the power of nature, which turned a devastating catastrophe into a work of art. This is a place that every traveler who appreciates the unique and unspoiled beauty of our world should see.
