The largest lake in Kazakhstan – Balkhash
Lake Balkhash is located in four regions of Kazakhstan: Almaty, Zhambyl, Karaganda, and Zhetysu. The phenomenon of Balkhash lies in the different salinity of its western and eastern parts, connected by a narrow strait. The western basin is fresh, while the eastern is brackish.
The climate within the lake area is arid, so summers here are always hot and there is practically no precipitation, which provides great opportunities for spending a quality vacation.
To reach the Zhetysu region, you need to purchase a train ticket to the Lepsy station. From there, if you have accommodation booked at a specific recreation base, transfer arrangements will be organized according to the resort's policies. If not, you will need to negotiate with a taxi upon arrival to take you to the coast. Alternatively, if you are traveling by car, you have the freedom to choose your destination for your "wild" vacation.
It's best to stock up on food, water, and gasoline in the nearest settlements. Typically, meals are not included in the accommodation price at recreation bases and are offered for an additional fee.
| List
recreation centers of Lake Balkhash (Lepsy, Sarkan district) |
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| № | Name | Phone | Room stock | Social media or website, geolocation |
| 1. | Recreation center «Бунгало Village» (Славянский двор) | Тел: +7 777 090 0500 effective from April 1 | Bungalows: June, from August 15 - 25 000tg.
From July 1 to August 15 - 30 000tg. Gazebo for the whole day - 7 000 tg. |
https://www.instagram.com/balkhash_otdih/
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| 2. | Recreation center «Яхта»
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+7 708 908 0080
+7 700 612 6969 |
https://www.instagram.com/yahta_balhash/
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| 3. | Recreation center «Шалкар»
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+7 771 832 3223 | Topchans
Rooms Yurts |
https://www.instagram.com/balkhash_shalkar_zona.otdyha/
https://www.instagram.com/balkhash_shalkar2/
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| 4. | Recreation center «Балхаш-Лепсы» | +7 747 151 7545
+7 701 841 1008 +7 708 373 4655 +7 705 569 6806 |
2-bed Standard
3-bed Standard 4-bed Standard 2-bed Comfort 3-bed Comfort 4-bed Comfort The cost per room from 20 000 tg. Meals are not included in the cost of accommodation. Check-in before 12:00, check-out before 10:00 |
https://www.instagram.com/balkhash_lepsy/
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| 5. | Recreation center «СофДарья» | +7 72843 2 23 11
+7 776 969 9843 +7 777 480 3426 |
2-bed
4-bed family 4-bed junior suite 4-bed suite Yurt (up to 9 people) The cost per room from 20 000 tg. The cost of accommodation includes topchanes, wi-fi. Meals are not included in the cost of living. Checkout hour is 12:00. |
https://www.instagram.com/sofdaria.kz/
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| 6. | Recreation center «Әулие тас» | +7 (72839) 2 51 36
+7 771 471 3771 |
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| 7. | Recreation center «Жетісу» | +7 776 897 0070 | https://www.instagram.com/balkhash_zhetysu/ | |
| 8. | Recreation center «Nomad» | +7 771 443 9264 | https://www.instagram.com/nomadbeach_balkhash?igsh=MTd6NDg1NGw5eWd2Yg==
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According to an ancient Kazakh legend, a young beauty named Balkhash from a wealthy family fell in love with a poor horseman. Upon learning of this, in a fit of rage and spite, Balkhash's father decided to forcibly marry his daughter to another man and ordered the drowning of Balkhash's beloved in the lake. Upon discovering her father's cruelty, the girl, on the eve of her wedding, decided to leap into the embrace of the waves and die alongside her beloved.
Another version of the origin legend of the lake tells of a wealthy sorcerer named Balkhash who had a beautiful daughter named Ili. When it came time to marry her off, Balkhash declared that he would only give his daughter to the wealthiest, most beautiful, and strongest suitor. Among the suitors were two sons of the Chinese emperor with caravans laden with valuable goods, sons of the Mongolian Khan with herds of horses and silver, as well as young Bukharian merchants with carpets and ivory items. However, among those wishing to try their luck was a poor shepherd named Karatal, who immediately captured the bride's heart.
After competitions, in which Karatal emerged as the winner, Balkhash angrily drove him away. However, Ili fled from her family's home at night and ran away with her chosen one to escape her wicked father. Upon learning of his daughter's escape, Balkhash cursed the lovers, and they turned into two rivers, swiftly carrying their waters from the mountains. And so the rivers would never meet, Balkhash fell between them and became the silver-haired lake, foaming with waves. Nevertheless, the lovers were able to find each other, uniting in the waters of Balkhash.
