Kensu
Kensu is a small village near the Kensu Gorge in the Kungey Alatau mountains, also known as the Valley of a Hundred Lakes. The area features alpine lakes, hiking routes and high viewpoints overlooking Khan Tengri and Victory Peak. The village is accessible by regular vehicles, while reaching the upper gorge requires a properly equipped off-road vehicle.
About this destination
Kensu — Valley of a Hundred Lakes
Kensu is a small village in the Kegen District. Nearby lies the main reason visitors come here: the Kensu Gorge on the eastern slope of the Kungey Alatau range, sometimes referred to as the “Valley of a Hundred Lakes.” The gorge stretches for 45 km and begins at an altitude of 3,300 metres. In its upper reaches, within an ancient glacial cirque at an elevation of more than 3.5 km, around a dozen high-altitude lakes remain. According to information about the local protected natural sites, there used to be more, but climate change has reduced the number of water bodies.
The area remained relatively unknown for a long time. Interest in Kensu grew after off-road enthusiasts began reaching the valley and sharing photographs of the landscape. The panoramas are often compared with those of Iceland and Norway, while on clear days, the higher viewpoints offer views of Khan Tengri and Victory Peak.
The village itself is accessible by regular vehicles. Beyond it, however, the road conditions change: the first few kilometres into the gorge follow an old Soviet-era dirt road that is still passable. Reaching the lakes in the upper part of the gorge, however, requires a properly equipped off-road vehicle and an experienced driver.