Kazakhstan Kolsai lakes

Let me introduce you Kazakhstan’s Switzerland!
Kolsai is a huge territory of national park not far from the Kyrgyzstan border. It includes three lakes (big Kolsai - the lowest, middle Kolsai (around 8 km far from the first one) and small Kolsai - situated higher in mountains (around 5 km from the middle one), connected by mountain rivers. Water is bloody cold whatever the season :) and it has gorgeous emerald color!

The road from Almaty is quite good, comfortable and beautiful, especially in spring, when cherry and apple trees are blooming.
The entrance to Kolsai national park is paid for every car and calculated for days of staying and people in car. There is a big parking space, with a hotel near it and quick access to the lake, but, the best place to stay which I highly recommend - Kolsai Nomads, which is located above the lake and has the best view on it. You can reach it on AWD car (the road is really wild here!), or just ask the hotel for a transfer and leave your car at parking. The other option - you can stay at Saty village, which is before the entrance to national park (tip: if you need to buy some products, be ready that shops are not working on Sunday). Also, vital tip - if you go for a trail to the lakes, don’t forget to take documents with you, because Kolsai is a border zone and boarder guards are patrolling the territory by horses and can ask you to show your documents. Also, you can take a horse to get Kolsai lakes, but be ready that the way will be not easy and sometimes seems dangerous :) Aaaand, the final one - there are several places for camping near the lake, so you can stay and enjoy nature in full!