Salt Lake (Tuz Kol)

Salty Lake, situated along the southern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, can be found just as the road veers slightly inland. A turnoff onto a dirt path takes you 13 kilometers (8 miles) to this hidden gem, also known as Kara Kol or «Myortvoye Ozero» in Russian, meaning «dead sea.» Nestled in a hollow and separated from Issyk-Kul by dusty hills, Salty Lake offers a unique experience.

While Lake Issyk-Kul is slightly saline due to its lack of outflow, allowing minerals to accumulate through evaporation, Salty Lake is even more concentrated with salt. Like Israel’s Dead Sea, the high salinity of Salty Lake increases buoyancy, letting visitors effortlessly float on its surface.

A small beach by the lake becomes a popular spot in the summer. Visitors come to not only swim but also indulge in the therapeutic black mud, which many believe offers health benefits. Some even drink the lake’s water, though this practice is not recommended. Though there are no permanent facilities yet, local yurts are often set up nearby, offering traditional Kyrgyz food for those looking to enjoy the serene surroundings.