Big Almaty Lake
Kazakhstan rivers & lakes. The Biggest rivers in Kazakhstan

Big Almaty Lake located at an altitude of 2511 m, on the upper side of the canyon by the same name, fed by the Almaty river running through it. Big Almaty Lake is part of a wonderful national park.

Big Almaty Lake is set high up in a gorge of the Bolshaya Almatinka river, 2.511m above sea level and 28.5km south of Almaty. It lies in a hollow like a gleaming mirror, surrounded on all sides by majestic peaks. Three main peaks tower above the lake and can be seen from the northern end of the dam: Sovetov (4.317 m) to the south-east, Ozyorny (4.110 m) to the south, further up the river valley, and the forested slopes of Turist (3.954 m) to the south-west.

Turist is the crest of Bolshoi Almaty Peak, a 3681 m high pyramid, which is visible from the city center. Fed by glacier water, the lake is 1.6k m long, almost a kilometer wide and 40 m deep. Higher up above the pale blue chalice of the lake is the domed Tien-Shan Astronomical Observatory, in a very ancient glacier valley 2km from the lake and at an altitude of 2.700 m. Walk another 8 km and you will reach the Cosmic Rays Research Station at 3.300 m, near the Zhosylkezen pass.

A 23 km drive leads up there from the city of Almaty. As far as the hydroelectric power station you will be driving on asphalt, the last stretch is a dirt and gravel track into the Alatau - Eliy National park, which charges a small fee.

The lake's high altitude location keeps it cool, and so, even in July, the water temperature does not exceed 8 degrees. However, this does not stop winter-swimmers, the loyal ivanovezchs, and even draws visitors from afar who would not miss a chance to harden their organism by plunging into these pure icy waters and get their energy revived. The canyon itself is considered to be extremely dangerous to climb about due to mudslides, and it is to the credit of almaty mudslide specialists that the lake has survived to this day.

The Big Almaty Gorge is one of the most noteworthy, accessible and frequently visited places. An asphalt road for the first seven kilometers goes from the city to the Gorge at a slight incline, gardens and modern cottages to the right and to the left dot the region, among which the "Orbit" television aerial picturesquely blends in, receiving programs from the Earth's artificial satellites. The Almaty Sanatorium has settled down among gardens, poplars and magnificent park behind it at a height of 1070 m, 3 km from the city suburbs.

The road becomes steeper at the six^th kilometer out of the city suburbs. The asphalt road diverges around there. The middle road is the longest and will take you to the lake and swampy heights; while the right-hand road will bring you to the Alma-Arasan Sanatorium.

A very steep road goes to the Big Almaty Lake; it goes from the river floodplain up the steep eastern slope. Rocks and screen surround the road, The very cold lake up to 38 m in depth with crystal-clear glacial turquoise water (during clear weather) lies, 38 km from the city center (25 km from the Gorge beginning) at 2500 m above sea level. The Big Almatinka River runs into it and flows out of it. Completely wild unusual beauty is found around the lake: moraines, taluses, rocks and gentle Tien-Shan fir-trees.

There is the pass above the Like on the way to the most beautiful light-blue lake; Issyk-Kul (in Kyrgyzstan). In spite of steep slopes, many Almaty citizens go to the lake by foot to breathe the pure mountain air and admire mountain nature.

The Bolshaya Almatinka Gorge is far from the city and therefore is less crowded. If you happen to be there, go up to Big Almaty Lake situated at a height of 2.510 m above sea level (30-40 m deep and 1.6 km wide). Fresh alpine air, constantly changing color of the lake and a splendid mountain vista attract hundreds of tourists on weekends. There is an astronomical observatory near the lake, with a hotel where you can relax and enjoy watching stars through telescope.

Joint project of OrexCA.com and KTA & KAGIR. Information is taken from CD "All about tourism in Kazakhstan"