Kapchagai reservoir is one of the pearls of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It is located in the southeast of the country, in the Almaty region.
It is worth a visit to every citizen of Kazakhstan and other countries, as the reservoir has unforgettable landscapes.
Pond formation
This reservoir was formed in 1970 by blocking the Ili River in the Kapchagai Gorge, which significantly diversified the natural world of the area. Shrubs and small trees (willows, reeds and tamarisks) grew on the shores, birds and animals appeared (swallows, wagtails, saigas, gazelles, earwigs). Since then, the reservoir has been very popular among residents of the country.
Due to its size (100 km in length, 25 km in width and 42 m in depth) and the emerald color of water, it is sometimes called the sea. And the abundance of tourist areas and hotels turns the reservoir into a real resort.
Nature reserve
The Kapchagai reservoir (rest on it will never be forgotten!) In the eastern part is the location of the Alma-Ata Nature Reserve. Free city beaches lie on the west bank. Most of the hotels and bases are located on the northern shore of the lake from Kapchagai to Bacter. Tourist zones in the reservoir area are for every taste and budget: from simple camp sites that have survived from the Soviet era to modern European-style hotels. For those who wish there is the possibility of renting housing from private owners.
Beach vacation
Most tourists come to Kapchagay (Kazakhstan) for a quality beach holiday. The banks of the pond are gentle and sandy, and the water is clean and warm. The best time to travel from mid-summer to the end of September is to be too hot in June. Water by this time warms up to comfortable marks: +26 ... + 28 ° C.
It offers guests the whole range of water activities:
- diving classes;
- riding on water scooters ;
- surfing classes;
- water skiing;
- boat trips on yachts;
- riding a "banana";
- parachute flights;
- swimming in pools with equipped slides.
Accommodation cost
The cost and range of services depends on the level of the hotel. For connoisseurs of a comfortable luxury vacation, the resort has built four- and five-star hotels that make it more comfortable to relax on the Kapchagay reservoir. Prices here range from 20,000 to 90,000 tenge (4-20 thousand rubles).
The middle class can opt for modern three-star hotels (Riviera, Freedom Beach Resort & SPA, LaFiesta) or restored tourist centers (Victoria, Arizona, Yermin). For a day in a double room you will have to pay from 10,000 to 40,000 tenge (2-8 thousand rubles). The rooms, as a rule, have a shower, toilet, TV, hairdryer.
On Kapchagai there are cheaper recreation areas (Malibu, Luck, Golden Sands, Friday, Zhana Nur), the price of which starts from 3,000 tenge (600 rubles).
If a large company goes on a trip, then an ideal option would be to rent a cottage, which will cost 40,000 - 90,000 tenge (10-19 thousand rubles) for a company of 4-8 people.
It is worth considering that prices are highly dependent on the season and day of the week, but without any problems it’s easy to choose an option for any, even rather modest budget.
Fishing
The Kapchagai reservoir is home to many species of fish: carp, common carp, pikeperch, roach, silver carp, catfish, crucian carp and snakehead. But it is important to know that free fishing is limited. The maximum catch can be 5 kg per gear up to 5 hooks per person. For those wishing for a fee, it is possible to purchase a fishing license.
Tourist centers and recreation areas are engaged in breeding fish and its bait, so do not worry about an unsuccessful catch. It is not necessary to bring fishing tackle with you, you can rent them.
Aquapark
For those who wish to diversify their holidays, going to the Kapchagai reservoir, a water park is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00 (address Kapchagay, 3 md, Kunaev St., 19).
The water park has several pools of different depths (Olympic, children's, adult, with hydromassage and a waterfall), fountains, slides and attractions. You can satisfy your hunger in one of several summer cafes in the territory or with food taken with you. A personal car is left in the parking lot near the water park. The minimum cost of visiting is 2100 tenge (400 rubles).
Casino
Since 2007, the city of Kapchagay has been recognized as a gambling zone of Kazakhstan. Therefore, now every tourist who has reached the age of 21 has a unique chance to try his luck in numerous casinos. Admission is free, but face control works. For large players organized VIP-halls (Flamingos, Princess). The casino features slot machines, roulette, blackjack, poker, sometimes there are hotel rooms, a swimming pool, a sauna (Riviera, Zodiac).
How to get there
The easiest way to get to the Kapchagay reservoir (Kazakhstan) is by bus from Alma-Ata. Moving will take about 1.5-2 hours (80 km). The timetable is quite convenient, flights go several times a day. It is convenient to use buses or taxis to get around the city. Direct routes connect the Kapchagai reservoir with the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana.