Inder Lake

Inder Lake is the largest lake in Atyrau Province. It is enclosed and saline. Local residents call it Tuzdykol, which means “salt lake” in Kazakh. It is located 180 km (112 mi) away from the city of Atyrau. Rivers do not flow into the lake; it is instead fed by underground salt springs, melt-water and rainwater in the spring. In the middle of summer, people come here to take mud baths, which is believed to cure skin diseases. Unfortunately, one cannot swim in the lake, since it’s too shallow. However, travelers from faraway places are attracted by the lake’s photogenicity: the snow-white sparkling surface and bizarre salt crystals on the shore create stunning, camera-ready scenery. Pictures taken here will become jewels of your photo collection.

Useful tips for 2020-2021

How to get there

You can get to the lake either by car (180 km (112 mi) along a good paved road and about 20 km (12 mi) along a dirt road), or with a wellness tour offered by local entrepreneurs. Please note, it is not recommended to take mud baths for more than 20 minutes.

Food and accommodation

A trip to Inder Lake can take only a day, but you can also stay for the night in a hotel in the village of the same name, which is located 16 km (10 mi) away from the lake. Here in the village, you can also visit the museum of local history.