The Pamir has always attracted a huge number of tourists. After all, only here you can see such a combination of natural beauties as high mountains with caps of glaciers, transparent lakes and emerald valleys. One of the most unusual and fairly young attractions in the Pamir mountain system is Lake Sarez, located in Tajikistan. The features of its location on the world map, as well as the incredible history of its occurrence, attract thousands of tourists a year from all over the world to its shores. It is about him that will be discussed in this article.
The history of the lake
Sarez Lake, whose photos are filled with extraordinary beauty, was formed relatively recently, at the beginning of the 20th century as a result of a strong earthquake. The details of that tragedy have not yet been established, since neither the epicenter nor its exact strength have been established. Be that as it may, but as a result of the displacement of the rock strata, a collapse occurred, which formed the so-called dam that blocked Murab - a fairly large mountain river. The true extent of the destruction that occurred in mid-February 1911 was not established until a month and a half later. After calculating the volumes of rocks crumbling into the Murab riverbed, the scientists were amazed, as the figure was too large - about 2.5 cubic kilometers.
The dam completely blocked the river across the stream, as a result of which water flowing down the mountain slopes of the Pamirs began to accumulate in the valley, at the bottom of which there were many residential settlements. The speed of the incoming water was so great that the inhabitants of the villages did not have time to escape. By the name of one of such small settlements, the name was given to the lake. Sarez Lake has an origin that is not quite ordinary, although it arose as a result of a natural phenomenon. This is what attracts tourists from all over the world to it.
And what's at the bottom
The history of the formation of the lake high in the mountains touches with its tragedy. Sarez Lake, according to many local residents, is still a mass grave for at least 900 people. This figure is horrifying because in the mountains so many people could completely populate a decent city. It can be assumed that at the bottom of the lake you can still find many household items that belonged to those who once lived in the lowlands that were flooded. Of course, there are no fairy-tale treasures here, because the flooded dwellings belonged to ordinary people involved in cattle breeding.
Size and depth: and again something unusual
Sarez Lake belongs to high-altitude water bodies, as the surface of its water mirror is located at an altitude of more than 3 km above sea level. The area of the reservoir is about 80 square meters. km The lake extends along the Pamir mountain range for 60 km. The main feature of the lake is its depth - up to half a kilometer. The coastline of Lake Sarez is adorned with numerous bays and estuaries of small mountain rivers. Here you can not find a single gentle shore, which could even become a semblance of a beach. The cliffs and rocks surrounding the reservoir, covered with caps of glaciers, are reflected in crystal clear water. Sarez Lake in Tajikistan has been described more than once by poets and prose writers as the most sinister, but at the same time a beautiful place.
Why the lake has become a tourist attraction
Despite the fact that the lake, which is discussed in this article, is located in a remote place, every year several thousand tourists come to its shores. What draws them to this harsh land? Undoubtedly, this is the beauty of the landscape, as well as the story of how the reservoir was formed. According to scientists, Sarez Lake is a time bomb, the power of which can at one moment wash away not only the nearby villages and cities of Tajikistan, but also cause irreparable damage to neighboring states: Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The fact is that a dam formed as a result of a terrible earthquake in 1911 can collapse at any moment under the pressure of water masses. Many years of waiting for an imminent disaster, the cause of which may be a breakthrough of the dam, is in the air. Everyone who visits this amazing place can feel this tension on themselves. That is what Sarez Lake attracts tourists from all over the world.
Forecasts: what will happen if the dam collapses
Today the lake holds more than 17 billion cubic meters of water. Such a huge mass is capable of tremendous destruction. The fears of scientists are associated primarily with the fact that the dam itself can not withstand the pressure. In addition, there is a possibility that part of the landslide massif, which is the shore of Lake Sarez, may fall into its waters. As a result of this phenomenon, a reservoir can cover the nearby territories with a kind of tsunami, the height of which, according to experts, can reach 180 meters. It is easy to imagine what catastrophic consequences this could turn out for the population of the Pamirs. However, for the past hundred years, Sarez Lake has not shown any signs of “excitement,” so there is hope that it will delight its guests for many more years.
Flora and fauna of Lake Sarez
The landscape surrounding the lake is beautiful and harsh. Naked rock formations with sparse vegetation are replaced by emerald green valleys and dark deep gorges. Everyone will find here for themselves the very place that they will certainly want to capture in the form of a photograph. The nature typical of the Pamirs, thanks to Lake Sarez, has acquired a special uniqueness and uniqueness. Among the huge boulders you can find timid and at the same time beautiful buds of mountain flowers. The shores of the lake are also magnificent: bare steep cliffs are suddenly cut by a strip of greenery, and the steep wall of the mountains is replaced by a gentle shore. But what hides Sarez Lake inside? Fish, as well as other animals, does not live here. A reservoir containing a huge amount of the purest, unusual blue color of water is absolutely devoid of any life. Algae did not take root here either, so on clear days you can even see small pebbles deep at the bottom of the lake.
How to get to the shores of Lake Sarez: tourist routes
Today, almost all travel companies offer visits to Lake Sarez by tourists from all over the world. In total there are three tourist routes, each of which has a certain level of difficulty. The fact is that no roads were laid to the shores of the lake in the usual sense. Horse and hiking trails are laid along the mountain ranges, in addition, some part of the route can be overcome by car.
One of the routes running through the Bartang valley includes, in addition to visiting Lake Sarez, familiarization with the life and culture of the local people. A second very popular route to the shores of the amazing Pamir reservoir lies through Lake Karakul . This trip includes a visit to a number of healing springs, as well as an introduction to the nature of the Pamirs, its vegetation and wildlife. A similar tour awaits those tourists who choose a route to the lake, passing along the banks of Yashilkul.
Preparing for a trip to the lake
Preparing for a trip to Lake Sarez must begin at least 3 months before departure to Tajikistan. This is due to the fact that the route should be agreed with the Ministry of Emergencies of Tajikistan. In some cases, obtaining all the necessary certificates may take up to 2 months.
Particular attention should be paid to equipment, because the climatic conditions high in the mountains are very far from those that many people are used to. Dry rarefied air, an icy wind resembling a draft, a scattering of small stones underfoot - all this can become an unexpected surprise for a tourist. Therefore, it is important to bring along several sets of warm clothes, durable waterproof shoes with thick soles, as well as glasses that protect your eyes from bright sunlight. In addition, a moisturizer is also useful for travelers, since dry cold winds can dehydrate the skin in open areas of the body, namely on the face.
Opinion of tourists about Lake Sarez
The fabulously beautiful lake in the Pamirs, called Sarez, is considered by tourists one of the most unusual places on Earth. According to most of those who have ever been to its shores, the desire to return here is growing every year. Meanwhile, experienced travelers note that it will be very difficult for an unprepared person physically and mentally to be in such a harsh world as the Pamirs, in particular, the shores of Lake Sarez. Those who are used to passive relaxation will not be interested here, but thrill-seekers will find another amazing place where you can feel complete freedom from civilization.