Lake Marqaköl

Lake Marqaköl is an alpine lake in East Kazakhstan that sits at about 1,450 meters elevation in a wide valley. The Kurchumsky and Azutau mountain ranges frame the water on both sides and shape the surrounding landscape.

Scientific exploration began in 1863 when researchers K.V. Struve and G.N. Potanin conducted expeditions following Russian Empire annexation. These early studies formed the foundation for understanding the region today.

The name Marqaköl originates from Turkic language elements, where 'köl' means lake and 'marqa' refers to a type of fish found in its waters.

The lake freezes during winter when temperatures drop below minus 50 degrees Celsius, but the area where the Kalzhyr River enters remains open. The best time to visit is during the warmer months from June through September.

The protected area contains roughly 700 plant species and provides habitat for snow leopards, brown bears, wolverines, and more than 250 bird species. This concentration of wildlife makes the valley an important ecological zone in Central Asia.