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Lake Kaindy, sunken deep within Kolsai Lakes National Park in Kazakhstan, was born from a tragic event: the 1911 Kebin earthquake. This disaster triggered landslides, forming a natural dam when limestone debris crashed into a gorge. Over time, rainfall and mountain river water flooded the gorge, creating Lake Kaindy. Iridescent bluish-green waters, reminiscent of a Caribbean lagoon, make Kaindy mesmerizing. The lake's charm lies in its sunken forest—Schrenk’s spruce trees that now resemble ghostly ship masts, their needle-like tips barely visible.
Intrigued? Click on to learn more about this natural wonder!
Lake Kaindy is situated in the southern part of Kazakhstan, approximately 129 km (80 miles) southeast of Almaty, which is the biggest city in the country.
Located in Kolsai Lakes National Park, Lake Kaindy is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes, including a group of scenic lakes and reservoirs. Its enchanting surroundings make it a picture-postcard travel destination.
Kaindy, however, is also known for an unusual natural feature that sets it apart from the park's other lakes.
The shining lake reflects the slender trunks of many Schrenk's spruce trees, piercing the surface like needles.
The trunks resemble the pale masts of abandoned ships. They evoke a sense of eerie nostalgia as they emerge from the depths of a submerged forest.
To uncover how a complete forest became engulfed by a lake, one must trace back to the early 20th century for the explanation.
Lake Kaindy was created in 1911 following an earthquake in the Tian Shan Mountains in Russian Turkestan.
The earthquake, also called the Kebin or Chon-Kemin earthquake, caused strong vibrations. The violent tremors resulted in a massive landslide that obstructed a narrow gorge, to form a natural dam.
Water could not pass through the avalanche of rock, leading to the gradual formation of a lake as rain and river water filled the gorge.
Although the exposed tips of the trees have become worn and fragile, a submerged forest below the surface still maintains its intact pine trees.
Kaindy's water stays cold, with summer temperatures rarely reaching above 6°C (42 °F).
The cold weather has helped preserve the submerged tree trunks, which have become overgrown with algae and other freshwater plants.
The visibility beneath the surface is extraordinarily good due to the pure mountain water. Underwater is where one can truly appreciate the otherworldly ambiance of this ancient forest.
In some lighting, the surface of the lake appears strangely ethereal. The mist that lazily drifts over the water adds to its mysterious nature.
Lake Kaindy spans approximately 400 m (1,312 ft) in length and reaches a depth of nearly 30 m (98 ft).
The water's bluish-green color is intensified by limestone deposits, especially in bright sunlight, giving it a Caribbean-like appearance on the surface.
Schrenk's spruce, also called Asian spruce, is a spruce tree that originates from the Tian Shan mountains in Central Asia. It can be found in western China (Xinjiang), Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. This spruce was named after Alexander von Schrenk, a Baltic German naturalist who lived from 1816 to 1876.
Kaindy is located at a higher altitude than Lower Kolsay Lake, at 2,000 m (6,600 ft) above sea level. Middle Kolsay Lake sits at 2,252 m (7,388 ft). However, the highest point in the park is Upper Kolsay Lake, situated at 2,850 m (9,350 ft), attracting a remarkable number of visitors.
Approximately 72% of the park's land is dedicated to strict protection for nature conservation, while roughly 13% is allocated for tourism and recreation purposes.
Kaindy and its submerged forest have grown in popularity as a tourist attraction in recent times.
Lower Kolsay Lake can be easily reached by road and offers guest houses and campsites. The campground at Kaindy Lake has traditional yurts, while accessing this lake, along with the Middle and Upper lakes, can be more challenging. Camping is typically done from April to late September in this area.
Divers can discover the lake's concealed marvels, amidst pristine (albeit somewhat frigid) conditions.
Lake Kaindy transforms in winter, displaying an entirely different appearance.
Ice diving offers a captivating glimpse into the hidden underwater world of Kaindy, exclusively for skilled scuba divers equipped with specialized gear.
The submerged tree trunks in the lake resemble ancient Roman columns, as they uphold the ceiling of a large dimly lit villa.
In winter, plummeting temperatures and the high altitude combine to freeze the surface of the lake so it resembles a giant ice rink spiked with toothpicks.
Kolsai Lakes National Park remains a popular destination for visitors throughout the year, with winter being especially favored by adventure tourists.
Almaty is a great starting point for visiting Kolsai Lakes National Park with its beautiful lakes. Additionally, the city itself has its own distinctive charm that is worth exploring.
Enchanted depths: the secrets and sunken forest of Lake Kaindy
Unveiling Kazakhstan's mystical, hidden gem
TRAVEL Kazakhstan
Lake Kaindy, sunken deep within Kolsai Lakes National Park in Kazakhstan, was born from a tragic event: the 1911 Kebin earthquake. This disaster triggered landslides, forming a natural dam when limestone debris crashed into a gorge. Over time, rainfall and mountain river water flooded the gorge, creating Lake Kaindy. Iridescent bluish-green waters, reminiscent of a Caribbean lagoon, make Kaindy mesmerizing. The lake's charm lies in its sunken forest—Schrenk’s spruce trees that now resemble ghostly ship masts, their needle-like tips barely visible.
Intrigued? Click on to learn more about this natural wonder!