Big Almaty Lake: how to get there, the rules and when to go

Big Almaty Lake sits in the Bolshaya Almatinka gorge at 2,511 m, half an hour to an hour from the southern edge of the city. It is the reservoir Almaty drinks from, which is why the rules are strict, and why the lake stays so clean.

Getting there

The road climbs from the Kamenskoye Plato district past the hydro plants. By car or taxi it is about an hour from the centre; leave before nine, because at weekends entry is limited once traffic builds, and the last kilometres are sometimes closed to private cars, with shuttles or a walk instead. The rules change with the season, so check the day before.

The lake is in a border zone: documents are checked at the post and everyone needs a passport, children included. Without one you will be turned back.

What you can and cannot do

• No swimming and no going down to the water; the viewpoints are above the shore.
• Drones only with a permit, which you usually will not have.
• Take your rubbish with you; fires are banned.

When to go

The colour depends on the season: in May and June the lake is milky turquoise with meltwater, in August and September clear blue, and in October the first snow lies on the shore. In winter the road is harder, but the views are worth it. Morning is always better; clouds gather by lunchtime.

Nearby

Above the lake the road continues to the Cosmostation and the Zhusaly-Kezen pass, serious altitude for the prepared. For a walk without gear, take the route from the Alpine Rose hotel to the lake (three hours) or the short Moon Meadow walk in an hour. Hikers can try the two-day crossing via Alma-Arasan.

On the way back turn into the neighbouring Almarasan gorge: riverside restaurants serve trout and shashlik, Tau-Dastarkhan among them.

The lake features in the collections “Summer lakes and BAO” and “A week in Almaty”.