Lake Balkhash

Lake Balkhash, located in the east of Kazakhstan, is the largest body of water in the country, stretching crescent-shaped for 600 kilometers. Balkhash is the only lake on the planet with a different composition of water: its western part is freshwater, and the eastern part is salty. Thanks to the narrow strait and the Saryesik Peninsula, the waters of the lake do not mix.

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The salty waters of Balkhash and its mineralized hydrogen sulfide mud are curative and beneficial to human health.

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Video: Lake Balkhash

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Climate and weather

‘ Geography and general information
‘ City of Balkhash

The main source feeding Balkhash is the Ili River, which originates in the glaciers of the Tien Shan and flows into the reservoir from the western side. From the east, the lake is replenished by the less full-flowing rivers Karatal, Aksu, Lepsy and others.

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Balkhash has no runoff, the water level in the lake fluctuates significantly at different times of the year and depends on the amount of snow in the mountains and the intensity of evaporation from the surface of the reservoir.

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‘ Vacationers.

The rich flora and fauna provide exciting leisure activities for fishermen and hunters.

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You can sit with a fishing rod at specially designated places of fishing bases in Pribalkhashye, providing guests with accommodation and necessary equipment. No fisherman, even a beginner, will not leave without a good catch. The best time for fishing is spring and July-September. In April the spawning run of the famous Balkhash wobla begins. As soon as the lake has warmed up, crucian carp, carp, carp, catfish and zherekh wake up. In total, there are more than 20 species of commercial fish in the reservoir. If you are lucky, on your fishing rod may fall snakehead – a predatory fish of an intimidating look, very tasty and has no specific odor.

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‘ Fishermen off the north coast
‘ Fishing on Lake Balkhash

Be careful – local fish marinka (kara-balyk) is primarily poisonous, you can not eat its caviar and milk. Before cooking marinka should be well gutted and carefully remove black abdominal films. The fish meat is fatty and very tasty.

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What to See

‘ Bektau-Ata tract
‘ Mazar Ak Beket
‘ Pribalkhashe

Accommodation

In the villages of Torangylyk, Rembaza, Shubartubek, Lepsy and Chyubar-Tyubek there are tourist bases and vacation homes offering guests a degree of comfort. At the bases the conditions are more ascetic, here you will be offered small rooms in wooden houses without amenities. Washbasin, shower and toilet in such recreation areas are common and placed separately. Prices for accommodation – from 150 rubles per day per person.

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In the hotel “Doszhan”, located in Shubartubuk, the service is of a higher level. The rooms have everything you need, as well as satellite TV and soft furniture. The hotel has its own beach, gym, tennis court, volleyball and basketball courts. The room will cost from 500 to 1000 rubles for a room for two people. The price includes breakfast.

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Recreation area Riva Lepsy in the village of Lepsy, offers the most comfortable accommodation – rooms are equipped with amenities, provides three meals a day. Besides, oriental mud procedures, massage and peeling are at guests’ disposal. From entertainment: water skiing, billiards, outdoor movie theater, disco. There is a separate playground and inflatable pools for children on the territory of the complex. Rest in “Riva Lepsy” costs from 600 to 2000 rubles for a double room, depending on the category and time of year.

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‘ Lake Balkhash, early fall, sunset
‘ Coastal Reed

The Balkhash sanatorium in Priozersk offers mud treatment, balneotherapy and climatotherapy.

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Along the shores of the lake there are many settlements and villages, which are happy to provide shelter to travelers. You can rent accommodation for any period of time. The choice of apartments offered is wide – from a modest room in the host dwelling to a separate house. The cost of accommodation starts from 200 rubles per person per day. Connoisseurs of local color can settle in yurt camps on the coast of Balkhash.

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How to get there

By airplane from Astana to Karaganda, from where Zhezkagan Air flies to Balkhash three times a week.

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From Astana to Balkhash can be reached by train, which will take you 24 hours, or by bus, – 10 hours of travel.

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Most of the bases and hotels are located 6-12 km from the city, you can get here by cab or by bus.

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There are parking lots for car tourists in all settlements.

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