Big Almaty Lake is located 28.5km south of Almaty up a gorge of the Bolshaya Almatinka River, 2,511m above sea level.  The lake is within the Alatau – Eliy National park and  both the Gorge and the lake are an attraction for visitors using Almaty as their base.  The lake is used for both hydro electric power, and the water supply for the city, but this does not detract from the magnificent mountain scenery.

The mountains, Sovetov to the southeast, Ozyorny to the south and Turist to the southwest form a backdrop on all sides to the lake, producing some spectacular reflections, changing colour throughout the seasons.  All three mountains are around the 4,000 metres high, with a glacial water running down towards the lake.

The lake itself is about 1km wide and 1.6 km long, with a depth of about 40mtrs. It can be accessed by road or by foot, although a bus ride to the beginning of the assent, places you directly into the scenic area.

Charyn Canyon is one of the unique natural monuments of Kazakhstan. The canyon is about 12 million years old and surprises with its vertical cliffs, reminding the ancient castles, created by wind, sun and rain.

It will take about 3 hours to reach the canyon. Meanwhile, you will hear a lot of interesting about the history and nature of the region, about Kazakh people, their life and traditions as well as have a lunch in a local cafe.

And as soon as you see Charyn Canyon you will forget about this long way at once - so much you will be impressed with the beauty and splendor of the canyon. You can admire the grand panorama and then have a walk through the maze of the Castles Valley with its inaccessible walls overhanging you. 

Anyone who has ever been to the Charyn Canyon, falls in love with it forever!

Kaindy Lake (birch lake) is situated among magnificent pine forest at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level and is famous for its origin. It was formed in 1911 due to the powerful earthquake that triggered the landslide blocked the valley by the natural dam, and the water has flooded the valley. The water of the lake is very cold, that is why the needles of the flooded trees are well preserved and clearly visible through the transparent surface of the water, and dry stems of fir trees overlook the water surface, like the masts of the submarine squadron. It is impossible to describe in words all this mystical splendor of the lake – it is necessary to go there and see everything with own eyes.