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Be enchanted by one of the most evocative natural sights of Almaty! Spend a day at the Big Almaty Lake and among the beauties of the Ile-Alatau National Park.

Approximately 27 km south of Almaty, a 40-minute drive will take you to the lake, at an elevation of 2511 metres and surrounded by magnificent tree-covered mountains topped with snow. Created by perennial ice, the little Big Almaty Lake is approximately 1.6 km long, with a depth of 40 metres.  Its crystal clear waters change hue as the sky changes colour, and are deep turquoise at the end of the summer with the waters from the melting glaciers.

Because the crystal-clear waters are used by the inhabitants of Almaty as drinking water, it is prohibited to swim in the lake and picnic on its shores. However, you will still spend a wonderful day admiring this masterpiece of nature.  Not far from the lake stands an astronomic observatory where you can enjoy a splendid view of the star-lit sky.

Don’t miss the chance to marvel at the iridescent colours of the Big Almaty Lake.  Only when you have seen for yourself will you realise that the colours in the photos are real!