Arahlei Lake is located in the Asian part of Russia, 40 km from the city of Chita, Trans-Baikal Territory. Belongs to the Ivano-Arakhleya system of small reservoirs of the Yenisei basin. It is part of the Yenisei River.
The origin of hydronym
There are two versions of the origin of the name of this lake. The first version tells of the Evenki roots of the hydronym. Since the 17th century, the Evenki name “Arakley” has been used. The etymology is unknown. In the Buryat version, it was transformed into "Arahley". This name is fixed and exists today. According to an alternative version, the hydronym comes from the Buryat language. Today, locals call the lake - Arachelenur. A part of “hal” is often found in Buryat toponyms and means “small place”, and “Ara” - “backside”. Thus, the name “Arachlei” may perhaps be understood as “northern shallow lake”.
Reservoir characteristic
Arahlei is a rather large lake. Its surface area is 58.5 km 2 . The reservoir stretches 10 km in length and 7 km in width (approximately). The volume of water is 0.61 km³. The greatest depth is about 19 m.
Lake Arahlei has a fairly diverse flora. It registered 27 species of plants. As for the fauna, 15 species of fish were recorded in the water area. Among them are perch, bream, crucian carp, roach, pike, dace, catfish, etc.
One of the features of the reservoir is very clear water. In calm weather, with a light wind, a depth of 4 meters is visible. Arahlei is part of the Ivano-Arahlei State Natural Landscape Reserve. Two villages are localized by the lake - Preobrazhenka and Tasey.
Fishing
Many avid fishermen come to Lake Arakhley in the hope of a rich catch. Shore fishing and spearfishing are popular here. The most common fish is perch. It is good to catch a worm in the summer. Also suitable silicone nozzles and "turntables". In the winter months for fishing as a bait, a drill is very good (the local name is Mormyshka). April is the time when roach and dace go astray in huge spawning schools. A large catch for fishermen is provided until mid-May.
Relaxation
Many tourists who come to Lake Arahley rest in tents. In the summer months, on the shores of the reservoir, you can notice the tent camps stretching for several kilometers. People usually sunbathe, play sports, bathe. For visitors there is also the opportunity to ride on bananas, water skiing and catamarans.
Holidays on Lake Arahley can be enjoyed by everyone. Especially for guests on the shores of the reservoir there are many tourist camps.
Holiday Village "Pier"
It works 365 days a year. Located in the area of "disc". For visitors there are organized heated houses: 2 for 4 people and a large building divided into 2 rooms. In each living room there are refrigerators, electric stoves, electric kettles, wash basins, wood stoves.
Visitors to the base can go sunbathing on the beach, where there are sun loungers, beach umbrellas, a place for a bonfire and barbecue. There you can rent a boat or a catamaran. A summer cafe is open for visitors . Children can spend time in the playground. The hostel guests spend time at various games, for example, table tennis, billiards, air hockey.
The recreation center "Teremki"
It is located on the second coastline of such a reservoir as Lake Arakhley (Trans-Baikal Territory) in the "Sands" area. In the summer season can accommodate up to 50 people. The base consists of a two-story building and several summer wooden houses. The building includes rooms for 2 and 4 places with a kitchen, where there is a stove, refrigerator and electric kettle. Wooden houses offer four-, six- and eight-bed rooms. Guests can use the sauna, barbecue and snack bar.
Holiday Village "Rossich"
Located in the village of Preobrazhenka. At the same time, 140 people can live here. It works 365 days a year, which makes relaxing near such a body of water as Lake Arakhley (the photo is in the article) the most pleasant, because you can stay for a long time! It offers guests meals 3 times a day. The base provides rooms for 2 to 10 people.
Tourists can visit the cafe-bar, bathhouse. From entertainment there are table tennis, volleyball, boat rental. For children, a playground and a children's room are equipped.
Holiday Village "Listvyanka"
Located in the area "disc". Provides the level of luxury service. The base offers comfortable rooms for 2 people, located in a building for 8 people. There are also summer houses for 3 residents. The main types of entertainment: a restaurant of Chinese and Russian cuisine, a playground and a barbecue.
How to get to the lake?
From Chita to Arahlei can be reached by car on the P436 highway. The final destination will be the village of Tasey. Travel time will be a little over an hour. At the end, lakes begin to meet on the way. The first of these is Tasey, the second is Ivan. Upon arrival in the village of Tasey, you can go to Lake Arahley, which is about 2 km from the village.
You can also get to the reservoir by bus number 219, which goes from Chita to Beklemishevo. The route runs through all the settlements around the lake: Tasey, Sands, Preobrazhenka. You can land in any of them, depending on which side you need to get to such a reservoir as Lake Arahley. Recreation facilities are located in all the surrounding areas.
You should definitely visit these places and enjoy plenty of relaxation at this water body. All tourists leave only positive reviews and can not rejoice at a good pastime.