Lakes
Kyrgyzstan is not only the mountain country of high altitude lakes. In the result of glaciation and melting small lakes at the altitude of 2500 and 4000 meter above sea level appeared in Kyrgyzstan. Talking about lakes of Kyrgyzstan as places of tour visiting it is important for everyone to know that "Kul" in Kyrgyz means "lake" and in all names with this part of the word the lake is meant, as in Issyk Kul, Son Kul and Chatyr Kul. Major lakes are:
As Kyrgyzstan is a country of mountain lakes, all of them are on the territory of mountains, about 2 000. Lakes altogether cover the area of 6 836 km2. Kyrgyzstan is famous for the pearl of it, lake Issyk Kul, and you are free to travel in Kyrgyzstan to it, 6 236 km2 in the area and 702 m deep. The lake never freezes, even in winter time and very often residents and guests of Kyrgyzstan make their tour especially to visit this famous place in Kyrgyzstan. The freezing point is lowered by saline level of the lake and the position at the bottom of a draining basin. As the lake never freezes the name is translated as "warm lake".
Issyk Kul is located in Kyrgyzstan at 1600 m above sea level at the bottom of mountain range and is estimated to be about 180 km long and 60 km wide, the depth is 700 m. There is a legend about the existence of the lake which tourists may listen to during their tour in Kyrgyzstan; it tells us that long time ago, in ancient times, there was a big and nice city. And then according to the legend a great disaster in the face of severe earthquake happened on the territory of Kyrgyzstan and caused deaths of people and buildings were destroyed. The earth created a hole that was filled with water, where there is the lake today that you can visit in your tour in Kyrgyzstan. When the tragedy happened, a group of young girls left the city for mountains to collect timber for heating. This helped them to survive. And then, with the course of time, these girls were coming up to the holes where the city used to be and cried bitterly. So many tears were shed that the lake became bitter and salty. According to elderly and highly respected men of Kyrgyzstan - aksakals - the nature of lake resembles the grieving mood of girls: silvery-gray storming one day, then roaring or quite.
The Issyk Kul located in Kyrgyzstan is the second largest high altitude lake after Lake Titicaca in South America, 8 372 km2 and 281 m deep. And transparent, after Lake Baykal, visible at 20m. In the very center of the valley Sary Chelek the National Park is situated, but the access to it is strongly controlled.
Son Kul is one of the largest lakes that is located at the emerald green pastures of Kyrgyzstan. It is 3016 m above sea level. The lake takes beginning from the Kajyrty River and flows into the Naryn River. Chayr Kul is known to be the highest lake in Kyrgyzstan at 3 530 m. The lake flows from Kok Aygyr River. The Kok Aygyr River is a blocked lake without fish species there. The Merzbacher lake is an unexpected lake due to the fact that it is difficult not to miss it, as it appears and disappears in Kyrgyzstan every summer. The greatest extent of lake is about 4 km by 1 km, and 40-80 m in depth. Sary Chelek is not even a lake but the valley you have an opportunity to visit in a course of your trip. The valley becomes a lake as it is considered to be a flooded mountain full of wood and forests; streams are going from the southwest of Kyrgyzstan. Mainly National Park is located there but it is prohibited to visit it for tourists during travelling in Kyrgyzstan.
Kyrgyzstan is a country of lakes and rivers and there are a lot of various opportunities to set off for a package tour in Kyrgyzstan. If you are not aware how to start for a tour, our managers are always glad to help you and do everything at the best level in accordance with your desires and wishes. Have a good travel in Kyrgyzstan!
