Getting there
Bus No. 28 to the Kokshoky stop and then on foot, or a taxi to the lower checkpoint of the national park. Entry to the park is paid; bring ID.
Now. The road has been closed to private vehicles since 2020, and since spring 2026 also to e-scooters, e-bikes and motorcycles.
Turquoise water at 2,510 metres, and these days you have to walk to it.
The lake lies in Ile-Alatau National Park and is a source of drinking water. That is why swimming and fishing are banned and going down to the shore without permission is prohibited.
The road was closed back in 2020 because of rockfalls and washouts. On foot it is about 15 kilometres each way with over a kilometre of climbing: 4–6 hours up and 3–4 down. There is a shorter route of about 10 kilometres along the water pipeline, but only in dry weather.
A new 5.3-kilometre footpath to the lake is being built. It was planned to open at the end of 2026; as of October the national park had not yet announced the access terms.
- Altitude
- about 2,510 m
- On foot
- about 15 km each way
- Ascent
- 4–6 hours
- Vehicles
- service vehicles only
