There Is a Unique Underwater Forest With a Fascinating Secret in This Mountain Lake in Kazakhstan

The bluish-green depths of Lake Kaindy in Kazakhstan hide a very special world.

How about a unique and mysterious destination, where you can explore not one, but two beautiful worlds right next to (or more like, above and below) each other? Well, Lake Kaindy in Kazakhstan fits the bill. Tucked away in the mountains of a beautiful national park, it is famous for its submerged forest, which looks like a ghostly underwater world.

The lake was formed in 1911, when a powerful earthquake caused a huge landslide that blocked a gorge and created a natural dam. Over the years, rainwater filled the valley and covered the spruce trees that grew there without actually destroying them.

One of the most fascinating features of Lake Kaindy, stretching approximately 400 meters in length and plunging to depths of 30 meters, is that the spruce trees have remained remarkably well-preserved under the water, even after more than a century. This is because the water is very cold (the lake is located 2,000 meters above sea level), around 6 degrees Celsius even in summer, which slows down the decomposition process.

The upper sections of the trees emerging from the water have shed their side branches and bark, leaving the wood with a whitened appearance and making them akin to giant toothpicks or spears sticking out of the surface.

Below the water, however, the branches, and even the needles, are still visible, but they have turned a reddish-brown color due to the lack of sunlight. They are also covered with algae, making them look like the masts of ancient shipwrecks, as seen in the amazing video below.

The color of the lake surface undergoes frequent changes, often turning into a captivating blue. This unusual coloration results from lime and other minerals reaching the water from nearby deposits.

Upon approaching the lake, the water becomes remarkably clear, occasionally revealing trout swimming within. This allows visitors to see the underwater forest even from the shore or from a boat.

Some adventurous travelers also choose to dive into the chilly water to explore the sunken forest up close, especially in winter when the lake freezes over and forms a thick layer of ice. Yes, you have read that right – they choose winter because the ice is transparent enough to let some light through, creating a magical effect.

Lake Kaindy is located in the Kolsai Lakes National Park, about 130 kilometers from Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan. It is not very easy to access, as it requires a four-wheel drive vehicle to navigate the dirt road that leads to the lake. However, this also means that the lake is not very crowded and retains its natural beauty and tranquility.

Lake Kaindy is often overshadowed by the more popular and nearby Bolshoe Almatinskoe Lake and the Kolsay Lakes, but it is definitely worth a visit for its unique and enchanting scenery. It offers a rare opportunity to witness how nature can create something extraordinary out of a natural disaster.

If you ever visit Kazakhstan, don’t miss the chance to see this hidden gem!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5