Lake Markakol is one of the most beautiful lakes in Kazakhstan. It is located at an altitude of 1447 m above sea level. The nature around the lake is fascinating at first sight. It is surrounded by dense forests, since the lake is located in a mountainous area, the lake shores are partly steep slopes and in some places are covered with meadows. Lake Markakol is located in the Markakol Basin, surrounded by the Kurchum and Azutau Ranges.
The lake itself has an oval-drawn shape from north-east to south-west. The length of the lake is 38 km, width 19 km, area 455 sq km, depth about 14 m. The Kalgir River flows out of the lake.
The lake and its surroundings were declared a reserve on August 4, 1976. The total area of the reserve is 71.3 thousand hectares. On December 11, 2007, the government of Kazakhstan extended the territory of the reserve to 102,979 hectares.
Of course, you can reach Markakol by driving along the Old Austrian road (the total length of which is about 60 km) only by yourself in a prepared vehicle and better as part of a car expedition. The road connects two districts, so you can get to it from two sides, from Katon-Karagai and from Kurchum.
We leave from the regional center - the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk - in the direction of Samarskoye village, the distance along the road is about 150 kilometers. Then we cross Kurchum crossing and go to Kurchum on asphalt, where it ends. Another 180 kilometers and the next village on the route is Terekty, here you can refuel both in Kurchum, and from there we get to Urunkhayka (a village on the shore of Lake Markakol).
Помимо гостевых домов ночевки только в палаточном лагере. Продовольствие необходимо брать с собой из крупных населенных пунктов, в таком случае надо быть готовым к полному автономному путешествию!
In bright sunlight, Lake Markakol acquires a bright blue or blue color, and in changing weather, during rains or snowfalls, the lake becomes gray-black or silvery. The water in the lake is transparent and clear. During the winter, the lake freezes over. Glaciation begins around the 20s of November. The ice on the lake is 60-120 cm thick.
The flora of the lake includes over 700 species of plants. The animal world of the reserve counts about 55 mammal species including elk, maral, brown bear, wild boar, wolf, wolverine, sable, mink and snow leopard.
The lake is home to uskuch, grayling, loach and many other rare species of fish. The lake is also home to many rare species of birds: black stork, grouse, partridges, kestrel, kestrel and others.
