Yashilkul Lake

At a height of 3700 meters in the Central Pamir, Yashilkul is a stunning blue freshwater lake that is 19 km long, 1-4 km wide, and covers an area of 3600 hectares. Its highest depth is 52 meters. The lake's clear, clean water seldom rises over +14 degrees Celsius. The glass-like surface of the lake, surrounded by the untamed Pamir Mountains, provides stunning beauty, especially from the west end where it serves as the starting point for the Ghund river, which finally flows to Panj. Since the lake's water is so clean and clear, it is possible to see the aquatic life below and go trout fishing.

Local Kyrgyz shepherds think the lake is home to a magical creature known as Tuya Suu, a water camel. Yashikul is reached through a 16-kilometer diversion off the Pamir Highway, passing via the nearby town of Bulunkul, which has approximately 32 dwellings and a beautiful homestay lodge with a sauna.

A hydrogen sulfide hot spring known as Issyk Bulak springs from the base of the granite mountain that the people regard as sacred further east and north from the lake.

Location: Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province, Tajikistan

Surface area: 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres)
Max. depth: 52 metres (171 ft)