Lake Tuzkol
Lake Tuzkol, located in the southeast of the Almaty Region, is known for being one of the world's saltiest water bodies. Its name, Salt Lake (from the Kazakh words «tuz» meaning salt and «kol» meaning lake), accurately reflects its high salt content.
Lake Tuzkol is a bitter-salty lake and its salinity level varies seasonally, reaching up to 300 grams of salt per liter at times, making it comparable to the Dead Sea in Israel and the Great Salt Lake in the US.
Tuzkol is situated at an elevation of 1950 meters (6400 ft) above sea level and has a shallow depth of only 3 meters (10 ft). Anyways, drowning is unlikely to occur due to the buoyant nature of the lake’s salt water, which naturally pushes the body towards the surface.
The climate in the region is harsh with bone-chilling winds during winter and dry, hot summers. The lake is surrounded by the picturesque Tien Shan mountain range on one side and the expansive steppe on the other. On clear days, the towering peaks of Khan Tengri and Pobeda (Jengish Chokusu) can be seen from its shores.
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What makes Lake Tuzkol unique is its combination of being a mountainous lake and yet still being salty, as mountain water bodies typically have fresh water from rivers. The clay on the lake's shores has therapeutic properties, much like the water itself. However, if you plan to swim in the lake, it is recommended to bring plenty of fresh water to rinse off afterwards as the salt can be uncomfortable. Additionally, the nearest freshwater source is several kilometers away.
How to get there?
The distance between Almaty and Lake Tuzkol is approximately 334 km (207 mi). To reach the lake, take the A-351 road and pass through the settlements of Boraldai, Otegen Batyr, Karaturyk, Shelek, and Kegen. The drive from Kegen to the lake takes about an hour. Although the road is mostly paved, there may be some potholes along the way. An SUV is recommended if you plan to venture further into the mountains. It's also important to bring your identification documents as the lake is located near the border.
Other tourist attrations near Lake Tuzkol:
- Khan Tengri Peak
- Jengish Chokusu
- Tekes Waterfall
- Ketmen Ridge
- Charyn Canyon
- Chunja Hot Springs
- Bestobe Reservoir
- Ice volcano
- Bayankol Gorge
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