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Pearls of the Tian Shan: Exploring the natural wonders of Kolsai Lakes National Park

Kolsai Lakes National Park ranks among Kazakhstan’s top ecotourism destinations, attracting visitors with its pristine lakes, alpine landscapes and well-preserved ecosystems.

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00:02Hidden deep within the Tian Shan mountains lie the Kolsai lakes, often called the pearls of the
00:08Tian Shan. Getting here takes time, but surrounded by scenery like this, the journey feels more than
00:14worthwhile. This is Modern Nomads.
00:27Kolsai Lake's national park lies in the mountainous Almaty region. From Almaty, the road winds through
00:34the mountains before arriving at the park's first major attraction, Lake Kainde. Few places look as
00:41surreal as Kainde Lake, but the season fiction is one of Kazakhstan's most extraordinary natural wonders.
00:47Kainde is a relatively young lake. It was formed when a powerful earthquake in 1911 blocked a pine-covered
00:55valley, which gradually filled with water. More than a century later, the submerged forest remains
01:01remarkably preserved, while the bare trunks rising above the lake gave it its haunting appearance.
01:06Kolsai Lake. Obviously we like hiking, so that's why we're here at Kandy and then yesterday we were
01:13at Kolsai. And if you like hiking, if you like to be in nature, then it's definitely a place where
01:19you
01:20should go. Besides hiking, visitors come here to admire the lake's turquoise waters and capture its
01:26otherworldly scenery. Just 20 kilometers away lie the Kolsai lakes, which give the national park its name.
01:38The area is home to snow leopards, bears and many rare species of birds and plants listed in Kazakhstan's
01:45Red Book. Lake in a gorge, that's the meaning of the Kazakh name Kolsai. And from the middle of the
01:50lake,
01:50the name suddenly makes perfect sense. Framed by pine-covered slopes on all sides, the lake feels
01:56hidden among the mountains. Reflected in the still waters, the surrounding forest seems to stretch
02:02even farther. Hiking, boating and horse riding are among the most popular activities here.
02:07Kolsai lakeland is a beautiful place. The island of Kolsai lake is one of the most popular places.
02:15The coast and the land of Kolsai lake are located located between 1800 and 2800 meters above sea,
02:37level each of the three alpine lakes offers a different experience we came yesterday and we
02:45want to visit the korsai lake one and two and we can see a lot of things like a lake
02:53and fountain
02:54and snow and so a very very beautiful place the almatya region is kazakhstan's most popular
03:02tourist destination within the region korsai lakes national park ranks as the second most visited
03:08natural attraction last year alone it welcomed more than 650 000 visitors yet despite its popularity
03:16park authorities say their priority remains the same protecting nature while carefully managing
03:23tourism growth visitors to korsai can choose from a growing number of places to stay ranging from
03:46hotels to family-run guest houses for serek shalaf hospitality is about more than providing a bed
03:52for the night it's an opportunity to share kazakh culture through a modern take on the traditional
03:58yurt alimmin tukur tukur ne bernin kere jatari enda america on stick america false to america
04:06the cape town kala san jana jilda bala shaqas medus erdip hard to bring set core on the car the
04:13stop
04:14curve on our own house that's all of jeff tamak tararo or so that is the fog and jagdeler the
04:20bolder
04:20serik's pride and joy is a giant dombra connecting the yurts but the real spirit of the place emerges
04:27around the dinner table where guests are introduced to kazakh music firsthand
04:40nearly three quarters of the park is protected land recognized by unesco as a biosphere reserve
04:46kalsai lakes national park offers a rare chance to experience nature much as it has existed here for
04:53centuries
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