Horse riding in the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve -
Horse rental in the village of Zhabagly -
The Aksu-Zhabagly lakes are like precious drops scattered at a height, in the bowls of mountain basins, where the sky is reflected so clearly that sometimes you can’t tell where reality is and where its reflection is. These lakes are silent and calm, but their silence hides the power of water and the mountains surrounding them. They are fed by glaciers, rains and streams, they are older than many times and keep their pristine purity. In the kingdom of rocks and glaciers, 23 crystal drops are hidden - small but amazingly picturesque high-mountain lakes. Unlike the majestic reservoirs of Altai or Pamir, there are no vast water mirrors here - only modest in size, but infinitely charming reservoirs, scattered along the slopes, like scattered turquoise beads. These natural treasures are hidden in the altitude belt from 2500 to 3500 meters, forming three tiers of the lake kingdom:
The upper tier (3000-3500 m) is the kingdom of glacial lakes, born by the mountains themselves. Here, at the foot of the glaciers, the mirrors of Shunkulduk (3422 m) and Bugulutorkol (3400 m) sparkle, their waters shimmering with all shades of turquoise. These reservoirs, filled with glacial moisture, remain icy even in the height of summer - their temperature rarely exceeds +4 ° C.
The middle tier (2500-3000 m) is the land of avalanche lakes created by the vagaries of mountain tectonics. Here are the pearls of the reserve: Kokuyrum (2506 m) with its emerald waters, the chain of Koksai lakes (2620-2700 m), where each mirror of water is framed by blooming alpine meadows, and the mysterious lake "Heart" (2542 m), whose shape really resembles a symbol of love.
The lower tier (below 2500 m) - here are hidden the modest, but no less picturesque Kyzulgenkol (2150 m) and Ainakol (2360 m), born of mountain avalanches. Their warm (by highland standards) waters (+10-12 ° C in summer) become a haven for rare species of trout.
The special magic of Aksu-Zhabagly lakes is in their impermanence. Some exist only for a few months a year, disappearing in the fall, while others store their waters in stone bowls for decades. Their total area is only 0.27 km², but every drop here is priceless. These reservoirs are not just a decoration of the landscape, but the most important links in the ecosystem, sources of life for mountain goats, argali and rare birds. Their crystal waters reflect all the harsh beauty of the Tien Shan mountains - eternal snow, blue sky and ancient rocks. These lakes are like pages of a mountain chronicle, where each wave writes its own story, and each reflection keeps the memory of eternity.
Attractions nearby:
Aksu Canyon (Aksu River Canyon)
Aksu River
Kishi-Kaindy Gorge
Waterfall on the Kishi-Kaindy River
Koksai Gorge
Kaskabulak Petroglyphs
Darbaza Tract
Tulips of the Aksu-Zhabagly Reserve
"Skazka" Cave near the village of Ak-Biik
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