Level: Expert
Type: Lake
Water type: Flat
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: Karakul (Black Lake) is a 52 km circumference lake in the Pamir Mountains. It lies within the Tajik National Park at an altitude of 3,960 m above mean sea level. A peninsula projecting from the south shore and an island off the north shore divides the lake into two basins: a smaller, relatively shallow eastern one, between 13 to 19 m deep, and a larger western one, 221 to 230 m deep. Lake Karakul is frozen for most of the year and only kiteable September to November.
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand, Pebbles, Rocks - Big
Infos: Lots of space around the lake.
Identified hazards: Rocks
Weather specificities: Thick wetsuit or dry suit needed always.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: 18-20 kts during usable months as an average.
Best months: September, October, November
Access description: by Car - Need to use a recognized tour guide company for to make this journey.
Specific rules: License
Extra: Check on national park license requirements before using the lake you need these in advance. The village of Karakul also lies within a circular depression of the meteorite impact crater, an impact that is estimated to have occurred about 25 million years ago and houses some 250 families.
Nightlife: Small local village only.
Accommodations: Rooms, Food
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