One of the attractions of the Astrakhan region is Lake Baskunchak, a vacation on which will leave an indelible impression! In terms of salt content in water, it is almost similar to all the famous Dead Sea, but just to see it and try to swim in it, you do not need to go to distant lands.
From time immemorial, salt has been mined on it, which is distinguished by its special purity and transparency. Moreover, this occupation brought good income to the treasury of the first Astrakhan Khanate, and then the Russian state, since a large amount of salt was exported.
Driving along the endless steppe, on the territory of which often not a single tree is found, but only rare shrubs and camels that come from nowhere, one can get confused. But suddenly, from where does Lake Baskunchak come from? Rest, therefore, is just around the corner. The presence of a large number of tourists and their cars is amazing, especially in comparison with how deserted the road and the steppe located along it looked
If you approach the lake from the side of a nearby village, then on weekends and holidays it will be difficult to find free parking space. The fact is that the so-called weekend tours that offer a trip to Lake Baskunchak are very popular among the population of nearby regions. Rest here will be useful not only for the soul, but also for the body. Indeed, in addition to bathing in brine (this is the name that salt water has), it is possible to smear healing mud from head to toe - this will improve the skin condition and provide prevention of joint diseases.
It should be noted that almost the entire surface of Baskunchak is covered with salt. In order to swim in it, it is necessary to overcome a short distance. It is worth considering one point - you need to wear rubber flip flops or special shoes on your feet in which you can walk on coral, because there is a risk of cutting yourself into salt crystals. It does not matter how to get there - on your own or with the help of a travel agency, but it is worth taking fresh water with you to Lake Baskunchak. Holidays, the prices of which are loyal, can be somewhat spoiled due to their own carelessness - after all, 3-5 liters of unsalted water will come in handy when washing off dirt or brine. In addition, in the summer, at the peak of the tourist season, there is very hot dry weather in this area - about 45 degrees Celsius, and there is not a tree around, so fresh water will also be needed to quench thirst.
A trip to Lake Baskunchak is a vacation for one or several days, because, in addition to bathing in brine and smearing with healing mud, there is essentially no entertainment. Not everyone will like to rent a house in the village or even live in a tent. But one day to carve out for his visit is still worth it; swimming in it is fascinating fun!
The main thing is not to wave your arms in the water, since getting into the eyes of salty brine is very painful. It is interesting and easy to lie on the surface of the lake, because it is not possible to sink to the bottom - a large concentration of salt keeps it “afloat”.
A trip to Lake Baskunchak is a vacation, reviews of which are full of enthusiasm. These places are worth it to come back here again for at least one day.