It might not be on the official list of natural wonders, but Kazakhstan’s Big Almaty Lake certainly deserves a spot for its divine beauty!
Almaty is the old capital of Kazakhstan and home to the Big Almaty Lake – easily the most beautiful and breathtaking lake I’ve seen in my life! Nestled between the snowy mountains and alpine trees of the Trans-Ili Alatau section of the Tian Shan mountain ranges which extends across Central Asia.
Drive or Hike?
There are two ways to reach the Big Almaty Lake – driving or hiking. Given its location at 2,511 meters above sea level, you can expect a rather steep ascent to the top of the mountain where the lake is situated. A tiring but doable hike, it can be done on foot in about 4 hours, though it will require plenty of advanced preparation, such as getting to the starting point and packing food and drink supplies.
Fortunately, there are plenty of tours that provide taxi or bus services from the base all the way up to the entrance of Big Almaty Lake. You best believe my mother and I opted for this option, after all, the lake is best enjoyed in the early hours of the morning! I highly recommend booking a tour from GetYourGuide, whether you choose to drive or hike to the lake.
Amazing Scenery to the Top!
Regardless of how you choose to make your way up to the Big Almaty Lake, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful scenery all the way through.
From the stunning alpine trees decorating the mountain ranges to the snowy peaks and the running waters through the rocky streams, it’s a stunning display of Mother Nature.
The Big Almaty Lake!
Upon arrival at the Big Almaty Lake, we were utterly blown away by its mesmerizing presence. A huge body of turquoise water so perfectly smooth and calm that it looked like a solid concrete ground covered in paint. The air was incredibly fresh at this altitude, and the snowy ranges brilliantly frame the water while the sun peaks from beyond the mountains.
In fact, the water that makes up the Big Almaty Lake is sourced from the glaciers formed within the mountains of Tian Shan. The supply of water from this reservoir is a significant source of drinking water for the people of Almaty city. As such, getting close to the lake or swimming in it is strictly prohibited, so be sure to follow the signs carefully!
There truly isn’t enough photos I could take that bring justice to what I saw and felt while at the Big Almaty Lake. All I know is I’m glad we left this destination for the last part of our Kazakhstan trip, because all other destinations simply couldn’t compete with this standard of beauty!
A Morning to Remember!
It was a morning to remember for life – a 5 am start where we embarked on one of the best journeys that Kazakhstan has to offer. If you’re a nature lover like I am, the Big Almaty Lake must surely be granted a place on your bucket list, and I would waste no time planning that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Kazakhstan!
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