Kaindy lake is located 11 km west of the Kolsay Lakes, Kaidy Lake is on the ChIlek River. The lake is known for its mirror-smooth reflection and stands of dead spruce trunks rising from the water. It was created in 1911, when an earthquake caused a landslide that blocked one end of the gorge.

The sunken forest of lake Kaindy is a stunning view to behold and a lovely place to relax for a picnic when going east from Almaty, visiting Kolsai lakes or Charyn Canyon. Viewing the submerged trees from below is popular with divers.

In 1911, an earthquake triggered a large landslide, which formed a natural dam on the slopes of the Kungey Alatau range outside of Almaty. The imposing Shrenk spruce trees that previously formed a forest there were now suddenly submerged in the lake that was born from the landslide.

Above water, the sunken trees appear as large masts from lost ghost ships, emery reflections in the water. But underwater, the needles of the Shrenk spruce still remain on the trees, even 100 years later. Because of the clear mountain water, you can see deep into the depths of the lake.

The track to Kaindy lake has many scenic views to the Saty Gorge, the ChIlek river valley and the Kaindy Gorge. If you don’t want to go far, Kaindy is a great place to just walk around the shore, camp, pick some wild strawberries, mushrooms and raspberries and smell the fresh air. Watch out for ticks, though, they may be infected with tick-borne encephalitis. A vaccination is a good idea.

Lake Kaindy is great for trout fishing. Around 30m deep, at a height of 2000m, it holds big fish underwater and fresh air above water. Very nice!

If you are a hunter or would simply like to see animals without killing them, the area around Kaindy holds quail, pheasant, goose, duck, coot, partridge, badger, Siberian roe, Siberian mountain goat (ibex), deer, wild boar, fox and rabbit as well as many other bird species.