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 glacier caps, transparent lakes and emerald valleys. One of the most unusual and rather young sights in the Pamir mountain system is Lake Sarez, located on the territory of Tajikistan. The features of its location on the world map, as well as the incredible history of its origin, 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 story 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 rock layers, a collapse occurred, forming the so-called dam, which blocked the Murab, a fairly large mountain river. The true extent of the destructionthat occurred in mid-February 1911, were installed only a month and a half later. Calculating the volume of rocks that fell into the bed of the Murab River, scientists were amazed, as the figure turned out to be too large - about 2.5 cubic kilometers.
The dam completely blocked the river across the flow, as a result of which the water flowing down the mountain slopes of the Pamir began to accumulate in the valley, at the bottom of which there were many residential settlements. The speed of the rising water was so great that the inhabitants of the villages did not have time to escape. According to the name of one of these small settlements, the name of the lake was given. Sarez Lake has an unusual origin, although it arose as a result of a natural phenomenon. This is what attracts tourists from all over the world.
And what's at the bottom
The history of the formation of a 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 terrifying because in the mountains such a large number of 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 fabulous treasures here, because the flooded dwellings belonged to ordinary people engaged in cattle breeding.
Size and depth: something unusual again
Sarez Lake belongs to high- altitude reservoirs, since the surface of its water surface is locatedover 3 km above sea level. The area of the reservoir is about 80 sq. km. The lake stretches 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 decorated with numerous bays and mouths of small mountain rivers. Here you can not find a single gentle coast, which could even become a semblance of a beach. The cliffs and rocks surrounding the reservoir, covered with glacier caps, are reflected in the crystal clear water. Sarez Lake in Tajikistan has been repeatedly described 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 in question in this article is located in a remote place, several thousand tourists come to its shores every year. 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, Lake Sarez – is a time bomb, the power of which can in one moment wash away not only the nearby villages and cities of Tajikistan from the face of the earth, but also cause irreparable damage to neighboring states: Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The fact is that the dam, formed as a result of a terrible earthquake in 1911, can collapse at any moment under the pressure of water masses. The long-term expectation of an imminent catastrophe, the cause of which may be a dam break, is in the air. Everyone who visits this can feel this tension for themselves.amazing place. This 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 colossal destruction. The fears of scientists are primarily related to the fact that the dam itself may not withstand the pressure. In addition, there is a possibility that part of the landslide massif, which is the shore of Lake Sarez, may collapse into its waters. As a result of this phenomenon, the reservoir can cover nearby areas 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 have 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. Bare rock formations with sparse vegetation give way to 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 for the Pamirs, thanks to the Sarez Lake, has acquired a special originality 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 sheer cliffs are suddenly cut through by a stripgreenery, and the steep wall of the mountains is replaced by a gentle coast. But what does Sarez Lake hide inside? Fish, as well as other living creatures, do 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 tourists from all over the world to visit Sarez Lake. There are three tourist routes in total, each of which has a certain level of difficulty. The fact is that roads in the usual sense are not laid to the shores of the lake. There are horse and foot trails along the mountain ranges, in addition, some part of the route can be covered by car.
One of the routes that runs through the Bartang valley includes, in addition to visiting the Sarez Lake, getting acquainted with the life and culture of the local people. The second very popular route to the shores of the amazing Pamir reservoir runs through Karakul Lake. This journey includes visiting a number of healing springs, as well as getting acquainted with the nature of the Pamirs, its flora and fauna. A similar excursion awaits those tourists who choose a route to the lake, passing along the banks of Yashilkul.
Preparing for a trip to the lake
Prepare for the tripto Sarez Lake must be started at least 3 months before departure to Tajikistan. This is due to the fact that the route must be coordinated with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Tajikistan. In some cases, it may take up to 2 months to receive all the necessary certificates.
Special 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 be an unexpected surprise for a tourist. Therefore, it is important to take with you several sets of warm clothes, durable waterproof shoes with thick soles, as well as glasses that protect your eyes from bright sunlight. In addition, travelers will also need a moisturizer, as dry cold winds can severely dehydrate the skin on open areas of the body, namely on the face.
Tourists' opinion about Lake Sarez
A fabulously beautiful lake in the Pamirs, called Sarez, is considered by tourists to be one of the most unusual places on Earth. According to most of those who have visited its shores at least once, the desire to return here intensifies every year. Meanwhile, experienced travelers note that it will be very difficult for an unprepared person physically and morally to be in such a harsh world as the Pamirs, in particular, the shores of Lake Sarez. Those who are accustomed to passive recreation will not be interested here, but thrill-seekers will find another amazing place where you can feel the fullfreedom from civilization.
