{"id":72,"date":"2015-01-14T15:52:44","date_gmt":"2015-01-14T09:52:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/?page_id=72"},"modified":"2018-03-06T16:52:57","modified_gmt":"2018-03-06T10:52:57","slug":"kolsai-lakes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/?page_id=72","title":{"rendered":"Kolsai Lakes"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"flexslider ewic-slider-lite is_on_\" id=\"ewic-con-2736a031ddd9881e\"><div id=\"preloader-2736a031ddd9881e\" class=\"sliderpreloader\"><\/div><ul style=\"display:none;\" class=\"slides flexslider-2736a031ddd9881e\"><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/IMG_2783.jpg\" title=\"Kolsai Camp\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Kolsai Camp\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/IMG_2783.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Kolsai Camp<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/IMG_2816.jpg\" title=\"Kolsai Lake 2\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Kolsai Lake 2\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/IMG_2816.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Kolsai Lake 2<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/IMG_2759.jpg\" title=\"Kurmetti\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Kurmetti\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/IMG_2759.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Kurmetti<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/IMG_0358-e1432548931811.jpg\" title=\"Misty Kolsai 2\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Misty Kolsai 2\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/IMG_0358-e1432548931811.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Misty Kolsai 2<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0715.jpg\" title=\"Tying Up\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Tying Up\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0715.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Tying Up<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0721.jpg\" title=\"A Clear Day At Kolsai 1\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"A Clear Day At Kolsai 1\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0721.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">A Clear Day At Kolsai 1<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0725.jpg\" title=\"Kolsai Lake 1\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Kolsai Lake 1\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0725.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Kolsai Lake 1<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0688-e1432549101787.jpg\" title=\"On The Road\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"On The Road\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0688-e1432549101787.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">On The Road<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0649.jpg\" title=\"Misty Kolsai 1\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Misty Kolsai 1\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0649.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Misty Kolsai 1<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0157.jpg\"  rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\"  class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0157.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\"><\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0156.jpg\"  rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\"  class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/DSC_0156.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\"><\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_083608.jpg\" title=\"Winter Comes Early\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Winter Comes Early\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_083608.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Winter Comes Early<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_104217.jpg\"  rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\"  class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_104217.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\"><\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_104227.jpg\" title=\"The Cold Lake\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"The Cold Lake\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_104227.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">The Cold Lake<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_111512.jpg\" title=\"The Best Way To Travel\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"The Best Way To Travel\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_111512.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">The Best Way To Travel<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_121139.jpg\"  rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\"  class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20161025_121139.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\"><\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160620_112146.jpg\" title=\"Enjoying The View\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Enjoying The View\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160620_112146.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Enjoying The View<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160619_181017.jpg\" title=\"Reflecting Kolsai\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"Reflecting Kolsai\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160619_181017.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">Reflecting Kolsai<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160619_181534.jpg\"  rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\"  class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160619_181534.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\"><\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160620_093903.jpg\" title=\"High Above The River\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"High Above The River\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160620_093903.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">High Above The River<\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160620_101057.jpg\"  rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\"  class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160620_101057.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\"><\/p><\/a><\/li><li class=\"ewic-slider\"><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160620_101201.jpg\" title=\"A View To The First Lake\" rel=\"ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]\"><img decoding=\"async\" title=\"A View To The First Lake\" class=\"ewic-wid-imgs\" src=\"https:\/\/trailsbeyond.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/20160620_101201.jpg\" \/><p class=\"flex-caption\">A View To The First Lake<\/p><\/a><\/li><\/ul><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n\tjQuery(document).ready(function($) {\r\n\r\n\t\t$(\"#preloader-2736a031ddd9881e\").fadeOut(500, function () {\r\n\r\n\t\t\t$(\"#ewic-con-2736a031ddd9881e\").addClass(\"ready_to_show\");\r\n\r\n\t\t\t$(\"a[rel^='ewicprettyPhoto[2736a031ddd9881e]']\").ewcPhoto({\r\n\t\t\t\ttheme: \"ewc_default\",\r\n\t\t\t\tallow_expand: false,\r\n\t\t\t\tdeeplinking: false,\r\n\t\t\t\tslideshow:5000,\r\n\t\t\t\tautoplay_slideshow:true,\r\n\t\t\t\tsocial_tools:false\r\n\t\t\t});\r\n\r\n\t\t\t$(\".flexslider-2736a031ddd9881e\").fadeIn(300);\r\n\r\n\t\t\t$(\"#ewic-con-2736a031ddd9881e\").flexslider({\r\n\t\t\t\tanimation: \"slide\",\r\n\t\t\t\tanimationSpeed: 0,\r\n\t\t\t\tuseCSS: false,\r\n\t\t\t\teasing: \"easeInCubic\",\r\n\t\t\t\tdirection: \"horizontal\",\r\n\t\t\t\tslideshow: true,\r\n\t\t\t\tsmoothHeight: true,\r\n\t\t\t\tpauseOnHover: true,\r\n\t\t\t\tcontrolNav: false,\r\n\t\t\t\tprevText: \"\",\r\n\t\t\t\tnextText: \"\",\r\n\t\t\t\trtl: false,\r\n\t\t\t\tslideshowSpeed: 2000,\r\n\t\t\t\tstart: function(slider){\r\n\t\t\t\t\t$(\"#ewic-con-2736a031ddd9881e\").find(\".flex-caption\").hide();\r\n\t\t\t\t\tvar curSlide = slider.find(\"li.flex-active-slide\");\r\n\t\t\t\t\t$(curSlide).find(\".flex-caption\").slideDown();\r\n\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\tbefore: function(slider) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t$(\"#ewic-con-2736a031ddd9881e\").find(\".flex-caption\").slideUp();\r\n\t\t\t\t},\r\n\t\t\t\tafter: function(slider) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\tvar curSlide = slider.find(\"li.flex-active-slide\");\r\n\t\t\t\t\t$(curSlide).find(\".flex-caption\").slideDown();\r\n\t\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n\t\t\t});\r\n\r\n\t\t});\r\n\r\n\t});\r\n<\/script><\/div>\r\n\n<p><strong>Kolsai Lakes are rated as the number two place to see close to Almaty by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Attraction_Review-g298251-d555386-Reviews-Kolsai_Lakes-Almaty.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tripadvisor<\/a>. \u00a0Visit three mountain lakes, progressing higher into the mountains close to the Kyrgyz border. \u00a0While it is a popular destination, it does require an epic 6 hour journey on some interesting (read: bumpy, unsealed) roads. \u00a0Steppe runs into mountains and canyons cut the landscape, so it is worth being awake for the drive to absorb the scenery and take some photos as well as witnessing some village life as we drive\u00a0through some small villages on the way.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kolsai Lakes and their surrounding villages, landscape and nature offer many possibilities for things to see and do. \u00a0We recommend a minimum of a 3 day tour to allow time to see the best of what there is there and not feel rushed doing it. \u00a0Longer trips are available for those who enjoy journeying past where people usually tread.<\/p>\n<p>We offer the possibility to do hiking, camping and horse riding here, as well as experiencing the cultural aspects of a Kazakh village.<\/p>\n<div class=\"enigma_heading_section\"><h4>Trip Options<\/h4><\/div>\n<div class=\"tpheader\">Option 1 &#8211; <i>Hiking, Camping, Village Culture<\/i><\/div>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic noarrow colomat-close\" id=\"id6a031ddd9b0e3\"  tabindex=\"0\"     >show<\/span><span id='swap-id6a031ddd9b0e3'  class='colomat-swap' style='display:none;'>hide<\/span><div id=\"target-id6a031ddd9b0e3\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<table class=\"tg\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"splitrow\">\n<th>Length: 3 days<\/th>\n<th>Difficulty: Moderate<\/th>\n<th>Cost from: $200<a href=\"#price\">*<\/a><\/th>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 1:<\/strong><br \/>\nDrive to Kurmetti, a village near Kolsai lakes.<br \/>\n6 hours of driving.<br \/>\nWalk around the village (possibility to ride horses around the village if they are available).<br \/>\nStay in a guesthouse in the village.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 2:<\/strong><br \/>\nWalk to Kolsai lake number 2.<br \/>\n4 hours walking.<br \/>\nDepending on the time taken to get to lake 2, it might be possible to visit lake 3 in the afternoon also.<br \/>\n3-4 hours extra walking.<br \/>\nCamp at the second lake for the night<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 3:<\/strong><br \/>\nReturn to Kurmetti village.<br \/>\n4 hours walking.<br \/>\nReturn back to Almaty (possibility to visit <a href=\"?page_id=280\">Sharyn Canyon<\/a> on the way home).<br \/>\n6 hours driving.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;\" align=\"right\"><a href=\"?page_id=423\" target=\"-_blank\">&gt;&gt; Place a booking<\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"tpheader\">Option 2 &#8211; <i>Hiking, Village Culture<\/i><\/div>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic noarrow colomat-close\" id=\"id6a031ddd9b1b2\"  tabindex=\"0\"     >show<\/span><span id='swap-id6a031ddd9b1b2'  class='colomat-swap' style='display:none;'>hide<\/span><div id=\"target-id6a031ddd9b1b2\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<table class=\"tg\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"splitrow\">\n<th>Length: 3 days<\/th>\n<th>Difficulty: Easy<\/th>\n<th>Cost from: $220<a href=\"#price\">*<\/a><\/th>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 1:<\/strong><br \/>\nDrive to Kurmetti, a village near Kolsai lakes.<br \/>\n6 hours of driving.<br \/>\nWalk around the village (possibility to ride horses around the village if they are available).<br \/>\nStay in a guesthouse in the village.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 2:<\/strong><br \/>\nWalk to Kolsai lake number 2.<br \/>\n3-4 hours walking.<br \/>\nReturn to Kurmetti to stay in the guest house.<br \/>\n3-4 hours walking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 3:<\/strong><br \/>\nPossibility to do some horse riding at the village in the morning.<br \/>\nReturn back to Almaty (possibility to visit <a href=\"?page_id=280\">Sharyn Canyon<\/a> on the way home.)<br \/>\n6 hours driving.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;\" align=\"right\"><a href=\"?page_id=423\" target=\"-_blank\">&gt;&gt; Place a booking<\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"tpheader\">Option 3 &#8211; <i>Hiking, Camping, Village Culture<\/i><\/div>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic noarrow colomat-close\" id=\"id6a031ddd9b1dc\"  tabindex=\"0\"     >show<\/span><span id='swap-id6a031ddd9b1dc'  class='colomat-swap' style='display:none;'>hide<\/span><div id=\"target-id6a031ddd9b1dc\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<table class=\"tg\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"splitrow\">\n<th>Length: 3 days<\/th>\n<th>Difficulty: Moderate<\/th>\n<th>Cost from: $190<a href=\"#price\">*<\/a><\/th>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 1:<\/strong><br \/>\nDrive to Kurmetti, a village near Kolsai lakes.<br \/>\n6 hours Driving.<br \/>\nWalk from the village to Kolsai lake number 2.<br \/>\n4 hours walking.<br \/>\nSet up camp for 2 nights.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 2:<\/strong><br \/>\nWalk to Kolsai lake number 3 and possibly further if desired.<br \/>\nReturn to the 2nd lake for the night.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 3:<\/strong><br \/>\nReturn to Kurmetti village.<br \/>\n4 hours walking.<br \/>\nReturn back to Almaty (possibility to visit <a href=\"?page_id=280\">Sharyn Canyon<\/a> on the way home).<br \/>\n6 hours driving.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;\" align=\"right\"><a href=\"?page_id=423\" target=\"-_blank\">&gt;&gt; Place a booking<\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"tpheader\">Option 4 &#8211; <i>Trekking, Camping, Village Culture<\/i><\/div>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic noarrow colomat-close\" id=\"id6a031ddd9b1fb\"  tabindex=\"0\"     >show<\/span><span id='swap-id6a031ddd9b1fb'  class='colomat-swap' style='display:none;'>hide<\/span><div id=\"target-id6a031ddd9b1fb\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<table class=\"tg\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"splitrow\">\n<th>Length: 3 days<\/th>\n<th>Difficulty: Hard<\/th>\n<th>Cost from: $190<a href=\"#price\">*<\/a><\/th>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 1:<\/strong><br \/>\nDrive to Kurmetti, a village near Kolsai lakes.<br \/>\n6 hours Driving.<br \/>\nWalk from the village to Kolsai lake number 2.<br \/>\n4 hours walking.<br \/>\nSet up camp for 1 night.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 2:<\/strong><br \/>\nHike across mountain range to the next valley<br \/>\n(higher level of difficulty and more fitness needed &#8211; off trail walking).<br \/>\nFind a place to camp.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 3:<\/strong><br \/>\nReturn to Kurmetti village down the valley.<br \/>\nReturn back to Almaty (possibility to visit <a href=\"?page_id=280\">Sharyn Canyon<\/a> on the way home depending on time taken).<br \/>\n6 hours driving.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;\" align=\"right\"><a href=\"?page_id=423\" target=\"-_blank\">&gt;&gt; Place a booking<\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"tpheader\">Option 5 &#8211; <i>Horse Riding, Hiking, Village Culture<\/i><\/div>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic noarrow colomat-close\" id=\"id6a031ddd9b218\"  tabindex=\"0\"     >show<\/span><span id='swap-id6a031ddd9b218'  class='colomat-swap' style='display:none;'>hide<\/span><div id=\"target-id6a031ddd9b218\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<table class=\"tg\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"splitrow\">\n<th>Length: 3 days<\/th>\n<th>Difficulty: Easy<\/th>\n<th>Cost from: $250<a href=\"#price\">*<\/a><\/th>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>More expensive and only if horses are available<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 1:<\/strong><br \/>\nDrive to Kurmetti, a village near Kolsai lakes.<br \/>\n6 hours Driving.<br \/>\nWalk around the village and the surrounding area.<br \/>\nStay in guesthouse in the village.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 2:<\/strong>td><br \/>\nRide horses from the village to the first and\/or second lake.<br \/>\n4 hours riding.<br \/>\nReturn to Kurmetti guesthouse for the night.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 3:<\/strong><br \/>\nEasy morning in the village<br \/>\nDrive back to Almaty visiting <a href=\"?page_id=280\">Sharyn Canyon<\/a> on the way home.<br \/>\n6 hours driving.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;\" align=\"right\"><a href=\"?page_id=423\" target=\"-_blank\">&gt;&gt; Place a booking<\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"tpheader\">Option 6 &#8211; <i>Horse Riding, Camping, Village Culture<\/i><\/div>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic noarrow colomat-close\" id=\"id6a031ddd9b234\"  tabindex=\"0\"     >show<\/span><span id='swap-id6a031ddd9b234'  class='colomat-swap' style='display:none;'>hide<\/span><div id=\"target-id6a031ddd9b234\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<table class=\"tg\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"splitrow\">\n<th>Length: 3 days<\/th>\n<th>Difficulty: Moderate<\/th>\n<th>Cost from: $300<a href=\"#price\">*<\/a><\/th>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>More expensive and only if horses are available<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 1:<\/strong><br \/>\nDrive to Kurmetti, a village near Kolsai lakes.<br \/>\n6 hours Driving.<br \/>\nWalk around the village and the surrounding area.<br \/>\nStay in guesthouse in the village.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 2:<\/strong><br \/>\nRide horses from the village to the second lake.<br \/>\n4-5 hours riding.<br \/>\nSet up camp.<br \/>\nPossibly ride or walk further, exploring around the second lake or going to the third lake.<br \/>\nReturn to camp for the night.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 3:<\/strong><br \/>\nPack up camp and return back to Kurmetti by horse.<br \/>\n4-6 hours riding.<br \/>\nDrive back to Almaty.<br \/>\n6 hours driving.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;\" align=\"right\"><a href=\"?page_id=423\" target=\"-_blank\">&gt;&gt; Place a booking<\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"tpheader\">Option 7 &#8211; <i>Trekking, Camping, Village Culture<\/i><\/div>\n<span class=\"collapseomatic noarrow colomat-close\" id=\"id6a031ddd9b25a\"  tabindex=\"0\"     >show<\/span><span id='swap-id6a031ddd9b25a'  class='colomat-swap' style='display:none;'>hide<\/span><div id=\"target-id6a031ddd9b25a\" class=\"collapseomatic_content \">\n<table class=\"tg\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table class=\"splitrow\">\n<th>Length: 4 days<\/th>\n<th>Difficulty: Hard<\/th>\n<th>Cost from: $250<a href=\"#price\">*<\/a><\/th>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Requires more fitness and maybe better shoes (off trail walking)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 1:<\/strong><br \/>\nDrive to Kurmetti, a village near Kolsai lakes.<br \/>\n6 hours Driving.<br \/>\nWalk from the village to Kolsai lake number 2.<br \/>\n4 hours walking.<br \/>\nSet up camp for the night.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 2:<\/strong><br \/>\nPack up camp and continue walking up to the ridge line that is the border with Kyrgyzstan.<br \/>\nShould be able to see Issyk Kul lake.<br \/>\nDepending on time, either camp near the small lake at the top or continue walking back down the parallel valley towards Kurmetti and find a place to camp for the night. Full day of off track walking.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 3:<\/strong><br \/>\nPack up camp and continue walking down towards Kurmetti.<br \/>\nEither find a place to camp or if we make it back to the village, spend the night in the guesthouse.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Day 4:<\/strong><br \/>\nReturn to Kurmetti or spend the morning in the village if we got back the day before (possibility to ride horses if they are available).<br \/>\nReturn to Almaty (If there is time, there is the possibility to visit <a href=\"?page_id=280\">Sharyn Canyon<\/a>).<br \/>\n6 hours driving.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<div style=\"font-size: 12px; font-style: italic;\" align=\"right\"><a href=\"?page_id=423\" target=\"-_blank\">&gt;&gt; Place a booking<\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a class=\"footnote\" name=\"price\"><\/a>* Prices are given as a guide. All prices are given in US Dollars per person. Prices may vary depending on number of clients, price changes, exchange rates, etc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kolsai Lakes are rated as the number two place to see close to Almaty by Tripadvisor. \u00a0Visit three mountain lakes, progressing higher into the mountains close to the Kyrgyz border. \u00a0While it is a popular destination, it does require an epic 6 hour journey on some interesting (read: bumpy, unsealed) roads. \u00a0Steppe runs into mountains<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7,"parent":103,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"page-fullwidth.php","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-72","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Kolsai Lakes - 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