In the highest part of the Pamir tract, at an altitude of 3914 meters is Karakul lake, whose name translates as “Black lake”. Pamir highway passes a few hundred meters from the coast of this natural attraction, and you can admire it for 40 km. and also, here is the eponymous village of Karakul, which stands out for its harsh views.
Lake Karakul has an area of 380 km2, from North to South has a length of 33 km, and from East to West 24 km. in the middle is a huge island that divides Karakul into two parts: the Eastern has a depth of 22 meters, and is characterized by smooth descents to the water; the Western part is more steep, and here the depth reaches 236 meters. Although this drainless lake is fed by glaciers from the surrounding mountains, the water in Karakul is salty. In summer, the water temperature is 12 degrees, and in winter it is closer to zero, and is covered with ice up to 1 meter thick.
The beauty of Karakul lake is achieved not only by its bright blue color, but also by the picturesque landscape, which is reflected in the water by the snow-white peaks of the Pamirs. Around the lake is a series of seven-thousandth, among which stand out Lenin peak and Avicenna peak. And also, due to the high altitude, the sky seems closer, and differs in deeper color, and at night over the lake the milky way shines brightly.
Located on the Eastern shore of the lake, the village of Karakul resembles a post-apocalyptic settlement. The one-story clay houses are painted white in places, and the lack of planning forms a small maze. Mostly Kyrgyz people live here, and besides, the border with Kyrgyzstan is only 50 km Away. in this settlement there is no infrastructure, there is only a small school and a couple of guest houses where you can stay for lunch or overnight. In addition, electricity is included here only in the morning and in the evening.
