Lake Kaindy is an astonishing natural phenomenon listed among the world's 15 most beautiful lakes. Located in southeastern Kazakhstan, 300 kilometers from Almaty, many travelers dream of visiting here to witness a remarkable natural spectacle – tree trunks, resembling sunken ship masts, rising up to 15 meters from the lake. In reality, these are dried pine trunks that once formed a beautiful forest, now preserved due to the cold water of Kaindy, with temperatures not exceeding 6°C even in July. This conservation allows for fascinating diving experiences to explore the underwater forest. "Kaindy" translates from Kazakh as "birch," which may seem odd considering the surrounding coniferous forests, but it originates from a nearby birch grove, the largest in the Northern Tien Shan, giving the lake its name.

Despite the lake's mysterious allure, its origins are no secret: over 100 years ago (in 1911), a powerful earthquake shook the southern slopes of the Zailiysky Alatau and the northern slopes of the Kungay Alatau for five minutes, with a magnitude exceeding 8 on the Richter scale. This seismic event caused rocks and boulders to collapse into the gorge, forming a natural dam. Soon after, water flooded the coniferous forest in the valley, creating Lake Kaindy. The lake is approximately 400 meters long, with a maximum depth of 21 meters, and its water is freshwater, nearly devoid of dissolved salts, akin to laboratory-purified water.

The journey from Almaty to Kaindy takes over five hours by car, with the final part being an adventure in itself. Most of the route follows a highway (approximately 190 kilometers along the Kuldja tract), with two river fords to navigate. Additionally, a stretch of the road involves off-road driving with steep ascents and descents, suitable for high-clearance vehicles. The final part of the journey passes through a majestic birch grove. Unfortunately, there's a risk of this magical place disappearing; since 2011, almost half of the lake was destroyed, lowering the water level by 3 meters and felling some century-old spruces. If you wish to witness this place while it still exists, we recommend not delaying your visit.