Karakul Lake

Karakul Lake adorns the highest point of the Pamir Highway. Its name translates to "The Black Lake" and it is situated at an elevation of 3914 m. The Pamir Highway is only a few hundred meters from the lake's shoreline, and one can see the lake for 40 kilometers. Another community bearing the same name, Karakul, stands out for having a grim outlook.

The Karakul Lake covers an area of 380 square kilometers and runs 33 kilometers north to south and 24 kilometers east to west. A large island in the middle divides Karakul into two parts: the eastern half has a depth of 22 meters and a gentle drop to the waters, while the western part is steeper and has a depth of 236 meters. Despite the fact that this drainless lake is fed by nearby mountain glaciers, the water in Karakul is salty. In the summer, the water temperature reaches 12 degrees Celsius, while in the winter, it drops to zero and the lake is covered in 1 meter of ice.

The gorgeous landscape of the Pamir Mountains, which are mirrored in the waters of Karakul Lake, is another aspect of the lake's beauty in addition to its vivid blue hue. The Peaks of Lenin and Avicenna stand out among the array of 7,000-meter mountains that surround the lake. Additionally, the sky appears closer and has a deeper hue because of its great height. You may appreciate the Milky Way's brilliant brilliance at night.

Karakul hamlet, located on the lake's eastern shore, resembles a post-apocalyptic community. The one-story clay dwellings are painted white, and the lack of planning has resulted in a little labyrinth. The Kyrgyz live there primarily because the border with Kyrgyzstan is only 50 kilometers away. There is no infrastructure; merely a small school and a few guesthouses for overnight stays. Aside from that, power is only available in the morning and evening.

Location: Pamir Mountains

Max. width: 52 km (32 mi)
Surface area: 380 km2 (150 sq mi)
Max. depth: 230 m (750 ft)
Surface elevation: 3,900 m (12,800 ft)