Central Asia’s summer lake scene spans from the warm, sandy shores of Kyrgyzstan’s Issyk-Kul to the remote, high-altitude beauty of Tajikistan’s Karakul — ten must-visit destinations offering everything from beach resorts and yurt camps to alpine treks and desert oases.
Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Issyk-Kul is an endorheic saline lake in the Tien Shan Mountains at 1607 m elevation, covering 6236 square km with a maximum depth of 668 m — making it the world’s deepest lake whose lowest point lies above sea level. Its high salinity prevents winter freezing, and summer water temperatures reach a pleasant 18-24 °C, ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and wind-surfing along its sandy northern shore. Accessible via a four-five hour drive from Bishkek, the lake is lined with resorts, sanatoria, and cultural sites like the wooden mosque in Karakol.
Song-Köl, Kyrgyzstan
At 3016 m above sea level, Song-Köl is the second-largest lake in Kyrgyzstan and the country’s largest freshwater alpine lake, with a maximum depth of 13.2 m. From June to September, nomadic herders set up yurt camps along its shores, offering horseback treks across the surrounding meadows and opportunities for fishing and birdwatching. Road access is via 4×4 vehicles over high mountain passes, making Song-Köl a remote but rewarding summer retreat.
Kaindy, Kazakhstan
Located at 2000 m in Kolsay Lakes National Park, Lake Kaindy spans 400 m in length and plunges to 30 m in depth. Formed by a 1911 earthquake-induced limestone landslide, its clear, turquoise waters submerge the trunks of Picea schrenkiana trees, creating a “sunken forest”. Accessible by a three-hour drive east of Almaty and a short hike from the trailhead, Kaindy is popular for scenic photography and light trekking.
Aydarkul, Uzbekistan
Aydar Lake, part of the artificial Aydar-Arnasay system in the Kyzylkum Desert, covers some 3000 km² at an elevation around 280 m. Fed by spillover from the Shardara Dam on the Syr Darya since 1969, its brackish waters and sandy beaches support fishing, camel rides, and yurt-camp stays. It lies roughly 50 km northeast of Nurata and can be reached via paved roads followed by short desert tracks.
Balkhash, Kazakhstan
Stretching 605 km in length and covering 16 400 square km at 341 m elevation, Lake Balkhash is one of Asia’s largest lakes, divided into fresh western and saline eastern halves by the Saryesik Peninsula. Summer air temperatures can exceed 35 °C, perfect for watersports, fishing, and visiting the lakeside city of Balkhash. Accessible by highway from Almaty or Karaganda, the lake also features eco-routes through nearby protected areas.
Karakul, Tajikistan
Nestled within a 52 km-diameter impact crater at about 3,914 m elevation in the Pamir Mountains, Lake Karakul is a brackish endorheic basin that splits into two basins up to 50 m deep. Its stark blue waters, framed by snow-capped peaks, offer high-altitude photography, camping, and birdwatching. It’s reachable via the Pamir Highway from Murghab, with 4×4 vehicles required for the final rough sections.
Sary-Chelek, Kyrgyzstan
Sary-Chelek Lake lies at 1 940 m in the UNESCO-designated Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve, stretching 7.5 km with an area of 4.92 km² and plunging to 234 m depth. Surrounded by mixed forests, it’s famed for clear waters, trout fishing, and berry picking. Access is via a six hour drive from Bishkek or Osh to Arkyt, then a short forest road.
Chatyr-Kul, Kyrgyzstan
Floating at 3530 m, Chatyr-Kul is Kyrgyzstan’s highest large lake, occupying roughly 170 square km and averaging 20 m depth. Its slightly saline waters are too cold for swimming, but the site excels for trekking, horse riding, and photo-safaris amid wildflower meadows beneath the Tian Shan peaks. It’s reached via a 10 hour drive from Bishkek or Naryn along the Pamir Highway.
Iskander Kul, Tajikistan
Crater-formed Iskander Kul sits at 2,195 m, with a 3.4 km² surface and depths up to 72 m. Its turquoise waters barely exceed 10 °C even in summer, yet the surrounding steep slopes and gorges host hiking and picnicking. Located 77 km from Dushanbe via the Dushanbe-Kulob road, daily minibusses and shared taxis serve the lake area.
Sarez Lake, Tajikistan
Sarez Lake, sitting at about 3 263 m in the Pamirs, stretches 75.8 km long and 3.3 km wide, plunging to 500 m deep. Formed in 1911 by a landslide-created Usoi Dam, it’s best visited in summer for multi-day trekking and high-altitude camping — trips begin by 4×4 to Murghab or Barchidiv, then continue on foot or horseback with permits and local guides.