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Lake Imantau: kazachy Island and the lake from above

Lake Imantau: swimming, the road from Kokshetau and what to check first

A 13 km freshwater lake in North Kazakhstan with a steep shore under Imantau mountain, a rocky island and tarmac only as far as the village.

  • 13.1 km long
  • Over 10 m deep
  • Summer water 20–25 °C
  • 1.5 h from Kokshetau
See photos · 5 When to go Plan the trip

Photo: Natgeokz · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Lake Imantau: when to go, month by month

  1. January: off season
  2. February: off season
  3. March: off season
  4. April: off season
  5. May: possible
  6. June: good
  7. July: best time
  8. August: best time
  9. September: good
  10. October: possible
  11. November: off season
  12. December: off season

From June to September the water reaches 20–25 °C.

Lake Imantau: why go

Imantau's fresh water

Mineralisation is 0.78–0.84 g/l and depth passes 10 m. From June to September the water warms to 20–25 °C.

Imantau mountain at the water

The southwest shore is high and steep, with the mountain right against the lake: wide views, though awkward for getting into the water.

Tasaral, or Snake Island

A rocky island of about 16 ha, reached only by boat. It is on the official list of sites with a heightened risk to life.

Tents and cabins at Imantau

Campers favour the villages of Imantau and Arykbalyk. Recreation areas offer cabins and yurts, but check that they are open first.

Lake Imantau is a freshwater lake in Aiyrtau District, North Kazakhstan Region, 13.1 km long and just over 10 m deep at its deepest. It is a summer trip: the water reaches 20–25 °C from June to September (Tengrinews, 2020). Kokshetau is about 90 minutes away by car, and the tarmac stops at Imantau village, so plan food and fuel around that.

Kokshetau: lake Imantau shore with bright orange autumn birches at sunrise, October
The shore of Imantau in autumn, with birch and aspen coming down to the water. Natgeokz · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The numbers that decide your trip

FactValue
Length and width13.1 km by 4.8 km
Mean and maximum depth5.7 m, over 10 m
Waterfresh, 0.78–0.84 g/l
Summer water temperature20–25 °C
Islandabout 16 ha
Kokshetau by carabout 1.5 hours

We could not find a reliable figure for the lake’s surface area.

Pick your shore before you drive

The southwest shore is high and steep, with Imantau mountain right against the water: good views, awkward swimming. The south shore is described as sandy, and Imantau village sits in the southeast at the end of the tarmac. Reeds and bulrushes line parts of the rest, so check satellite maps for a clean way into the water.

People camp in the forest, most often near the villages of Imantau and Arykbalyk. Lakeside recreation areas with cabins, yurts and boat hire were running in 2020; we could not confirm which operate now or what they charge. July is the crunch: searches for Imantau peak at 16.8 times their low point, as our summer demand study shows.

Snake Island needs a boat and a warning

The rocky island in the south of the lake is Tasaral (“stone island”), also called Snake Island for its snakes and Cossack Island after settlers of the 19th century. Tengrinews puts it about 4 km from the shore.

Snake Island is named on the official list of sites with a heightened risk to life (order V2500036696). Tengrinews calls the weather here changeable, so tell someone your plan: the safety page explains how notification works.

Getting there from Kokshetau

  1. Fuel up in Kokshetau or Zerenda.
  2. Save offline maps, because coverage near Imantau is patchy.
  3. Drive to Imantau village; beyond it there is no tarmac.

Lake Zerenda is on the way, and Lake Shalkar is about 15 km to the northeast. For the wider area, see Kokshetau National Park.

Not verified yet We could not confirm entry conditions or parking fees for this part of Kokshetau National Park, the current bus timetable, or fishing rules on the lake. Ask locally before you rely on any of these.

Lake Imantau: tips before you go

  1. Fuel up in Kokshetau or Zerenda and save offline maps: coverage near the lake is patchy.
  2. The tarmac ends at Imantau village.
  3. Tell the civil protection service your plan before taking a boat to the island.

More to see nearby

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Lake Imantau without a car?
Tengrinews reported a daily bus from Kokshetau taking about two hours in 2020; we could not confirm the current timetable. Kokshetau is the nearest rail station.
Is Lake Imantau good for swimming?
The water is fresh and warms to 20–25 °C from June to September, and the south shore is sandy. We found no recent water-quality data.
Can I visit the island on Lake Imantau?
Only by boat. Snake Island is on Kazakhstan’s official list of sites with a heightened risk to life, so tell the civil protection service your plan before setting out.
Is Imantau the same as Lake Shalkar?
No. They are separate lakes about 15 km apart in the same district, and the resort area around them is called Imantau-Shalkar.

Sources

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