The blue stretching beyond the horizon, picturesque skerries, mighty mountains and ancient monasteries open to all winds, and most importantly — the absence of cramped rows of sunbeds. Yes, this is what your vacation on the lakes from our new collection might look like. We tell you where and how to relax on reservoirs in Russia and the near abroad and why this option can displace Mediterranean beaches in your heart.
Contents
- Baikal: beaches, ecotropes and places of power
- Lake Ladoga: skerries and deserted islands
- Teletskoye Lake: rest among the Altai mountains
- Seliger: Shishkin’s paintings come to life
- Salt lakes of Sol-Iletsk: the “dead Sea” in Russia
- Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan: the pearl of the Tien Shan
- Lake Sevan: picnics overlooking the mountains of Armenia
- Aydarkul in Uzbekistan: an oasis in the desert
- Lake Naroch: the main resort of Belarus
- Lake Burabai: atypical Kazakhstan
Baikal: beaches, ecotropes and places of power
Why go:go trekking along the Great Baikal Trail, ride along the Circum-Baikal Railway, try smoked omul and visit the sealarium.
How to get:by plane or train to Irkutsk, then by minibus to Listvyanka.
We all remember from school that sacred Baikal is the deepest lake on the planet and the treasure of all Siberia. As for the beaches, there are pebble and sandy options. Coves and shallow bays are best suited for swimming: in the height of summer, the water in them warms up to +18-21 ° C. Remember the landmarks: Sandy Bay behind the village of Bolshoe Goloustnoe, Pomegranate beach near Baikalsk with amazing maroon sand, sandy Sarai beach on Olkhon, sandy beaches of the Kurkut Bay.
For the curious and active traveler, there are plenty of options for summer entertainment on the shores of Lake Baikal: you can go hiking along marked trails, get acquainted with funny seals in the nerpinarium, climb the observation deck of Kamen Chersky peak and try to see the Khamar-Daban ridges, ride along the Circum-Baikal Railway. You also need to go on an excursion to Olkhon Island: in addition to the replicated postcard views, you will see ritual wooden pillars with bright ribbons and you will be able to make a wish.
Coves and shallow bays are best suited for swimming: in the height of summer, the water in them warms up to +18-21 ° C. Photo: Viktorya Telminova/Shutterstock.com
Don’t forget to stop by the fish market in Listvyanka to enjoy local delicacies and buy gifts. On the way back to Irkutsk, we recommend visiting the open—air museum of wooden architecture “Taltsy” – you will see how they lived in Siberia a couple of centuries ago.
Look for hotels and guest houses in Listvyanka on different budgets on the Island:
Lake Ladoga: skerries and deserted islands
Why go:Try to see a seal, kayak among hundreds of rocky islands, eat berries and admire the open Lake Ladoga.
How to get: by “Swallow” from St. Petersburg to Priozersk, Kuznechny or Lahdenpohya.
Lake Ladoga is often called the sea for its expanses: in places where the open Ladoga goes beyond the horizon, you really feel like a grain of sand. In summer, the best way to explore the lake is to go sailing on skerries and islands by sea kayak. It can be a weekend trip or a thoughtful hike for a week. The sandy beaches of Koyonsaari Island and the secluded coves of deserted islands, rocks and straits, an abundance of berries from blueberries to cloudberries, wooden churches and the wind of adventure in your face are waiting for you.
The bonus is seals entertaining kayakers with their favorite game “Guess where I’ll come up, ahaha, I didn’t guess again”, talkative cormorants and seagulls, stunning sunsets with a tent and invigorating freshness — even in August, the coastal waters of Ladoga rarely warm up above +17 °C. If you want to visit Valaam, we advise you to take an excursion: the kayak option will be too extreme for the first experience.
In summer, the best way to explore the lake is to go sailing on skerries and islands by sea kayak. Photo: FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock.com
Teletskoye Lake: rest among the Altai mountains
Why go:admire the reflections of the Sayan Mountains in clear water, see waterfalls and try grayling (fish of the salmon family).
How to get:by plane or train to Gorno-Altaysk, then by bus to the village of Artybash.
“The capercaillies behind the Sayans will wake up the dawn with a song, the sun-brother will rise above the river mists…”. To see a similar picture, go to Teletskoye Lake. The shores are full of glamping and recreation centers where you can enjoy a sauna on mountain grasses or steaming in a vat, fried grayling in the fresh air and the surrounding beauties.
Swimming in the lake is available only to walruses: in summer, the water rarely warms up above +13-16 °C. Boats and boats take tourists to numerous waterfalls, the most famous are Korbu, Estyuba, Chedor and Kishte. You can also rent a kayak or a board, go fishing or horseback riding. And don’t forget to get acquainted with the customs and traditions of local peoples in the ethnopark: it will be exciting and delicious.
Swimming in the lake is available only to walruses: in summer, the water rarely warms up above +13-16 °C. Photo: Alexey Oblov/Shutterstock.com
Seliger: Shishkin’s animated paintings
Why go: swim, sunbathe, fish, explore ancient monasteries, churches and manors, ride a retro train or a motor ship and try smoked eel.
How to get there: from Moscow by train to Bologoye or by bus to Ostashkov, from St. Petersburg by train to Bologoye or directly to Ostashkov.
We advise you to visit the city of Ostashkov with interesting church architecture, look into the museum of local lore and climb the bell tower of the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Pilgrims visit the ancient Nilo-Stolobenskaya desert, a monastery founded in the XVI century. For history lovers, we recommend visiting the Tolstoy estate in the village of Novye Yeltsy and taking a ride on a steam—powered retro train that runs along the Bologoe – Ostashkov route. Another mandatory point of rest on Seliger is boat tours of the lake.
Pilgrims visit the ancient Nilo-Stolobenskaya desert, a monastery founded in the XVI century. Photo: shushonok/Shutterstock.com
Salt lakes of Sol-Iletsk: the “dead Sea” in Russia
Why go: salt well, smear yourself with healing mud and eat sugar watermelons interspersed with juicy melons.
How to get:by plane or train to Orenburg, then by minibus to Sol-Iletsk.
The Orenburg “dead sea” and the point of attraction for those who want to improve their health is the Sol—Iletsk resort, which combines several salt and mud lakes. They escape from the hot breath of the steppes here in water with a whitish suspension of salt, particles of which remain on the skin and swimsuit. Some beaches, for example on the lakes Razval and Dunino, are equipped with stationary umbrellas and sun loungers. To remember your childhood and get up to your ears in mud (and at the same time carefully rub your creaking knees with healing slime), go to the location a little further awayan unequipped Mud lake.
Entrance to the territory is paid and amounts to 350 rubles.: If you go outside the resort, you will have to pay again when you re-enter. The prices for food at the resort may seem overpriced, and the choice is not rich, so bring water and your favorite treats for a beach snack. For the most delicious watermelons and juicy melons in your life, go to the melons on the way out of town. Feel free to bargain and take the oval stripes immediately in reserve: tested by experience, they are eaten in flight.
The Orenburg “dead sea” and the point of attraction for those who want to improve their health is the Sol-Iletsk resort. Photo: Anton Buymov/Shutterstock.com
Issyk-Kul in Kyrgyzstan: the pearl of the Tien Shan
Why go:See the Asian miracle with your own eyes, touch the petroglyphs and look into the canyons.
How to get there: by plane to Bishkek, then by minibus or taxi to the lake.
Lake Issyk-Kul stretches freely between the ranges of Kyungey-Ala-Too and Terskey Ala-Too at an altitude of 1,608 meters above sea level. The coast offers stunning views of the snow caps of the surrounding peaks and the mountain ranges stretching to the horizon. In addition to the picturesque views, tourists are attracted by sandy beaches and brackish clear water, the temperature of which in July-August reaches quite a cool +20-23 ° C. When you get tired of lying on the beach, go explore the local canyons, such as the Fairy Tale or the Karakol Gorge.
In Cholpon-Ata, tourists can explore the open-air museum of petroglyphs, where stones with drawings made a couple of thousand or more years ago are collected, and visit the Rukh Ordo cultural center. Another popular entertainment here is the water park and amusement park on Golden Sands Beach.
We have collected ideas on what else to do in Kyrgyzstan in a separate guide.
The coast offers stunning views of the snow caps of the surrounding peaks and the mountain ranges stretching to the horizon. Photo: Openfinal/Shutterstock.com
Lake Sevan: picnics overlooking the mountains of Armenia
Why go:Sunbathe, swim, visit the medieval Sevanavank monastery, taste trout, whitefish and kebab from crayfish necks.
How to get:by plane to Yerevan, then by bus or taxi to the settlement of the same name.
The largest lake in Armenia lies at an altitude of almost 2000 m above sea level, so you should not expect high water temperatures: the maximum in the height of the summer season can be counted on +22-23 °C. For those who like warmer water, a water park with heated pools has been built on the shore. But on the picturesque shores of Sevan, overlooking the mountains, it is pleasant to sunbathe on sandy and pebble beaches, play outdoor games and have a fun picnic with fresh fish, kebabs, fruits and Armenian wine.
If in the process you are overcome by philosophical thoughts about the meaning of being, go to the Sevanavank monastery built at the end of the IX century. We do not guarantee that you will catch enlightenment, but there is really something attractive in the harsh beauty of the black tuff temple towering over the lake. Dark hewn stones of the walls against the background of the blue waters of the Armenian sea and the blue sky, ancient khachkars — carved crosses, silence and tranquility are something that will not interfere with each of us. Well, if you want to experience a little extreme and clear your head properly, wakeboarding and windsurfing, saps, kayaks and water skiing are at your service.
The largest lake in Armenia lies at an altitude of almost 2000 m above sea level. Photo: Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock.com
Aydarkul in Uzbekistan: an oasis in the desert
Why go:Go fishing, ride a camel, see the desert and pink pelicans.
How to get:by plane to Samarkand, then by train to the city of Jizzakh, from there by taxi.
Aydarkul is an artificial lake in the Kyzylkum desert, which arose as a result of the construction of the Syrdarya dam and the Shardara hydroelectric power station in the early 1960s. The giant oasis has become home to pink pelicans, swans, herons and black storks.
Tourists are attracted by the long deserted beaches and the gentle entrance to the water, as well as the opportunity to combine a beach holiday with a visit to a real desert. You can immerse yourself in nomadic life by visiting one of the nearby yurt camps: here you can ride camels, listen to Akyn songs, try local pilaf and admire the night sky without illumination. Among other activities on the lake there is fishing — however, you will have to sail a boat a couple of kilometers from the shore.
You can immerse yourself in nomadic life by visiting one of the nearby yurt camps. Photo: Serdanik/Shutterstock.com
Lake Naroch: the main resort of Belarus
Why go:merge with nature, improve your health, master the kite and enjoy smoked eel.
How to get there: by plane to Minsk, then by bus to the village of Naroch.
There is plenty of room for fishermen on the local lakes: there are about 25 species of fish, including eel, trout and pike. If you like flowers, we advise you to look into the arboretum garden and admire the water lilies and roses. For those interested in history and culture, we recommend visiting the Neo-Gothic church of St. Andrew the Apostle and visiting the ethnocultural complex “Nanosy” with museums of samovars and rare machines, windmills and watermills, distillery and stable.
Naroch is the largest lake in the Republic of Belarus with an area of almost 80 km2, its shape vaguely resembles a heart. Photo: Viktar Malyshchyts/Shutterstock.com
Lake Burabai: atypical Kazakhstan
Why go: to swim, walk along forest paths and drink koumiss.
How to get:by plane to Astana, then by car, bus or train to the resort of Burabai.
The lake and the resort of the same name Burabai are known to those born in the Soviet Union as Borovoe. The pearl of Northern Kazakhstan, the local Switzerland — the Internet is full of flattering comparisons and loud epithets, however, well deserved. The shores of Burabai and the neighboring Shchuchy, Bolshoy and Maly Chebachy lakes are covered with dense pine and birch forests, among which rocky ridges and peaks stand out.
It is pleasant to swim, sunbathe and walk here — for example, climb the peaks of Kokshetau, Okzhetpes or Bolektau and admire the expanses. If you don’t want to walk, you can rent a bike, arrange a horse ride or go sailing on a catamaran. Do not forget to devote time to the fun mud treatment process and gastronomic joys: kumis, pilaf and national pastries are in the top.
However, you should not limit yourself to one lake: take a guide to other beautiful places in Kazakhstan.
It’s nice to swim, sunbathe and walk here — for example, climb the peaks of Kokshetau, Okzhetpes or Bolektau and admire the expanses. Photo: Kiwisoul/Shutterstock.com
The indefatigable traveler is not happy with the sea alone, but with the endless expanse of water. What is the difference in this case, as it is called in geographical reference books? Skerries, pink pelicans, camels and seals are waiting for you — take a vacation and go to meet such different lakes.
Cover photo: Raimond Klavins/Shutterstock.com
