Kindyktykul Lake

Lake Kindyktykul is situated in the south-east of the Republic Altai at the edge of Chikhachev ridge close to the border with Mongolia. It is 1750 metres wide, the surface area – 2,77 sq. km.

The lake was formed by glacier activity. It lies at an altitude of 2463 metres above sea level. That determines very severe climate conditions here. Ice melts only in early June and covers the lake in late September. Frosts are possible all the summer.

The name Kindyktykul is translated from Altaian language as “lake with a belly button” and the lake has a small island in its centre. The island is of great significance. Because all the shores of the lake are a pasture for cattle, the island has become a refuge for endangered waterbirds. The scientists counted about 20 kinds of rear birds including bar-headed goose, red-breasted merganser and Himalayan griffon which regularly visit and even nest near the lake.

Moreover, the mountains around Kindyktykul lake are the habitat of such rare animals like argali sheep, Pallas’ cat and snow leopard. According to the monitoring of 2016, 11 snow leopards live in the Chikhachev Ridge. This year wildcameras captured 7 new animals: 2 females with 3 kittens and 2 males.

Lake Kindyktykul is situated in the south-east of the Republic Altai at the edge of Chikhachev ridge close to the border with Mongolia. It is 1750 metres wide, the surface area – 2,77 sq. km.

The lake was formed by glacier activity. It lies at an altitude of 2463 metres above sea level. That determines very severe climate conditions here. Ice melts only in early June and covers the lake in late September. Frosts are possible all the summer.

The name Kindyktykul is translated from Altaian language as “lake with a belly button” and the lake has a small island in its centre. The island is of great significance. Because all the shores of the lake are a pasture for cattle, the island has become a refuge for endangered waterbirds. The scientists counted about 20 kinds of rear birds including bar-headed goose, red-breasted merganser and Himalayan griffon which regularly visit and even nest near the lake.

Moreover, the mountains around Kindyktykul lake are the habitat of such rare animals like argali sheep, Pallas’ cat and snow leopard. According to the monitoring of 2016, 11 snow leopards live in the Chikhachev Ridge. This year wildcameras captured 7 new animals: 2 females with 3 kittens and 2 males.

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Nature travel, adventure tours to Altai – one of the most beautiful places in Siberia.

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