Mountain rivers of Zhetysu region in Kazakhstan -
Mountain hike along the Aganakty river to Lake Zhasylkol -
The Aganakty River is a picturesque mountain river, located and originates high in the mountains of the Dzungarian Alatau, among the snowfields and glaciers of the range. Its sources are fed by melting snow and underground springs, thanks to which the water in the river is crystal clear, cool and even in the hot summer months retains its freshness. The river flows through two alpine lakes, Lake Zhasylkol and Lake Zhasylkol Upper. The riverbed in the upper reaches is narrow and stormy, with a rocky bottom and rapid ripples. Here, the river breaks through the gorge, forming cascades and small waterfalls, and its noise can be heard long before the view of the water opens. The river belongs to the Zhongar Alatau National Park and flows through the protected area of the reserve. Below, the current becomes calmer, and the banks are decorated with dense thickets of willow, birch and Tien Shan spruce. Alpine meadows can be found along the riverbed, where tulips, irises, edelweiss and other mountain flowers bloom in summer.
How to get there and visit -
Aganakty River is located 15 kilometers from the village of Lepsi in the mountains of the Dzungarian Alatau, near Lake Zhasylkol, Sarkand district, Zhetysu region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 45°23'57"N 80°33'54"E
Information -
Somewhere in the depths of the Dzungarian Alatau, among the inaccessible rock circuses and eternal snows, the Aganakty River is born – wayward and indomitable, like the very spirit of these ancient mountains. Its icy waters, escaping from the embrace of the glacier of the same name, roar down the gorges, carving out over the millennia bizarre canyons with steep walls, sometimes reaching two hundred meters high. Locals say that the name of Aganakty can be translated as "noisy" or "singing" water, and indeed its murmur and rumble create a special music that accompanies the traveler along the way.
In spring, Aganakty turns into a real mountain fury – a seething stream that sweeps away everything in its path, rolling multi-ton boulders like light pebbles. By the middle of summer, when the heat reaches its peak, the river calms down a little, revealing its stunning milky turquoise water - this unique shade is created by glacial suspension dissolved in a crystal clear stream.
The Aganakty River is not only a natural feature, but also an important part of the tourist routes of the Dzungarian Alatau. Hiking and equestrian trails run through its valley, leading to high-altitude lakes, alpine pastures and mountain passes. Traveling along the river allows you to see the change of natural zones: from coniferous forests in the lower part to harsh cliffs and snow-capped peaks in the upper reaches. It's not just a river. It is a living organism, pulsating in time with the ancient rhythms of the Dzungarian Alatau. Its waters, its rocks, and its indomitable nature remind us of the wild, pristine nature that existed here long before man appeared and, hopefully, will persist long after us.
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