Lakes of Uzbekistan

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There are so many beautiful places in Uzbekistan, where mountains are adjacent to lakes, and full-flowing rivers with deserts. Such places cannot but delight with their picturesque corners and charming natural diversity.

When going on a trip to Uzbekistan, be sure to visit the magnificent lakes. Aydarkul, Tudakul, Charvak, Aral are the places where the blue sky merges with the blue water, and the coastal landscape frames all this beauty, turning each location into a natural attraction. These lakes are not all available on the territory of Uzbekistan. Our country is much more amazing than you can imagine!

1. The Aral Sea. About 60 years ago, the Aral Sea was the fourth largest in the world and the largest sea in Central Asia. Located on the territories of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the sea was the center of the fishing industry and a great place to relax. People came here from all over the Republic to swim in the sea, sunbathe on the sandy beach. Unfortunately, due to a man-made disaster (the causes of which are still controversial), the sea began to dry up rapidly. As a result, the sea was divided into two parts, shrinking in size, leaving behind a lifeless Aralkum desert with salt marshes on the former bottom.

Now the Aral Sea is more like a lake, people come here for new impressions, on its shore you can sit in a traditional nomad yurt, try Karakalpak fish dishes and feel the atmosphere of the sea and the desert, united into one. In addition, in the city of Muynak, you can see a real cemetery of ships, visit the museum of the Aral Sea and take part in races in the desert.
Aral sea from Ustyurt Plateau 2. Aydarkul Lake. For every tourist to see a huge lake right in the middle of the desert becomes a real surprise. I immediately remember movies and descriptions from books, where exhausted heroes, having passed their way under the scorching sun, overtake the oasis. Aidarkul is a large drainless lake in the north-eastern part of Uzbekistan, located on the territories of the Jizzakh and Navoi regions. The lake is an artificial reservoir in the Arnasay lake system. Lake Aydar On the shore of Aydarkul you will meet blooming tulips and acacias, waterfowl, you can see storks and pelicans. People come here to enjoy a free vacation from civilization, to go fishing. Not far from the lake there are recreation areas where you can stay in comfortable yurts, ride camels, visit archaeological sites, for example, the gorge with Sarmyshsay rock paintings.

3. Charvak reservoir. One of the most favorite and lively places of recreation among Uzbeks is the Charvak reservoir. Charvak is a place where an azure-blue lake, mountains covered with greenery, sharp rocks and the sky, which seem very close, can be seen at the same time. Everyone comes to rest on Charvak, rest homes, sanatoriums, hotels, resorts, camps, camping stops are located here. You will be offered to have fun on water attractions, paragliding, skiing and snowboarding in winter, rock climbing and other extreme sports. Chimgan, Charvak Charvak is located in the Bostanlyk district of the Tashkent region, and it appeared in 1964 during the construction of the Charvak hydroelectric power station. Now this place is a real pearl of the Western Tien Shan.

4. Tudakul is another oasis in the middle of the desert in the Kyzyltepa district of Navoi region. The water in Tudakul is mineralized, and it tastes bitterly salty. Unlike Aidarkul, the Tudakul reservoir is natural and it was formed in a desert depression. Tudakul attracts with its pristine nature. Animals live in the vicinity of the lake, including those listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan. You can meet gazelles, foxes, wild cats, hares, swans, pelicans, gulls, eagles and many others.

Most of all, vacationers on the lake celebrate unique sunsets and sunrises, when all the colors of the sun are intertwined with the color of the sky and water.

5. Sudochye is a lake located in the Muynak district of Karakalpakstan in the Amu Darya delta. During the time of active nutrition of the Amu Darya, fishing and tourism flourished on the lake. Gradually, the lake began to dry up and broke up into several separate parts. Nevertheless, this did not prevent the lake from preserving one of the most diverse avifauna. With constant regularity, a huge number of different species of birds are observed on the lake. They come here during flight migrations, and some live permanently. Among them are pelicans, sakers, flamingos, cormorants, herons, swans, golden eagles and other birds. In 2008, the lake received a special status – "The most important ornithological territory". Many people come to the lake to see rare birds and the unusual landscape of the bright blue lake in the chink of the Ustyurt plateau.
6. Urungach Lakes. For the unusual color of the waters of Lake Urungach, they are called "Jade" and this is a real gift of nature. The distance between the lower and upper lakes is 4 km. The lower lake has a particularly bright jade color, its temperature is about 5 degrees, which gives it such a beautiful color of the water. The lakes are located 150 km from the capital on the territory of the Ugam-Chatkal National Park. Travelers are fascinated by the indescribable beauty of the lakes. Here you can enjoy the contemplation of nature, the purest water spread out in a mountain hollow, bright greenery, peace and quiet.

7. Tuzkan is a brackish, drainless lake located on the territory of the Farish district of the Jizzakh region. Tuzkan is the second largest lake in Uzbekistan after Aydarkul. It is part of the Arnasay lake system and occupies the eastern part of the Kyzylkum desert. Tuzkan is one of the most beautiful places in Uzbekistan, ideal for a "wild" holiday when you want to escape from big and dusty cities. Here you can sit on the shore in a tent, make a fire and meet the orange sunset, and at night feel the Milky Way, as if it descended from heaven to Earth. Lake Tuzkan 8. Kanbeshbulak Meteorite lake. There is a small lake Kanbeshbulak in the Khamkan tract in Surkhandarya region. It is interesting because some scientists consider it a meteorite crater. According to one version, the lake appeared after the fall of a meteorite. As a result, a crater was formed here, which then filled with water. Numerous fragments and vitreous bodies, which are of cosmic origin, were found in the soil and in the river sand leading to the lake. Kanbeshbulak Lake and the surrounding area have not yet been sufficiently explored and may still hide many mysteries. The reservoir can become one of the natural monuments that attract lovers of the unknown and mysterious.

9. Arashan lakes. The high-altitude Arashan lakes are located at an altitude of more than 2500 m and they are located in the Namangan region on the border with Kyrgyzstan. The road to these lakes is difficult: you will have to overcome the passes, descend into the gorges of the Angren plateau and climb up again. But the magnificent view that opens on the expanses of the Arashan lakes is worth it! Arashan lakes are four mountain lakes framed by rocks and stone rubble of Arashan. Nature has done a beautiful job to create such an attraction. It is worth noting that even in summer there may be snow there, so when preparing for such a trip, gather thoroughly so that nothing prevents you from connecting with the wild nature.

10. Shabyrkul (or Shovurkul) is the highest mountain lake in the country. The lake is located in the north-east of the Tashkent region. Its absolute height is 2754 meters above sea level. Shabyrkul has an unusual shape, because the lake was created as a result of a stone collapse, and so it became dammed. The lake periodically floods nearby areas, thereby creating a swampy area. In appearance, it is impossible to confuse Shabyrkul with any other lake – it is so original. Its waters seem harsh and menacing, especially against the background of the snow-capped mountains of the Talla Alatau.