Visitors can experience the Milky Way when visiting Karakul Lake at night.

Sleep under the Milky Way

Discover crystal-blue waters by day and glittering stars after dark.

"Touching the sky" thanks to the altitude of Karakul Lake in the Tajik National Park. – © AstroStar / Shutterstock

In the northern part of Tajik National Park, close to borders with China and Kyrgyzstan, Karakul Lake lies at almost 4000 metres above the sea level. With sparkling crystal-blue waters, it is an incredible spot - likely a highlight of your time in the park.

Lake Kara-Kul during the day © Oleg Belyakov / Shutterstock

Other than the small village of Karakul, where you can get to discover a piece of the Tajik culture, there is barely any human presence. This means Tajik National Park and the surroundings of Karakul Lake are peaceful and undisturbed by any kind of light pollution. Human-made pollution and the omnipresence of light in urban areas can be detrimental to the observation of the sky and Milky Way. However, visiting Karakul Village and the Tajik National Park gives you the chance to sleep under the stars and to observe the immensity of the sky without limits.

A tent is the perfect way to experience the wonders of the night sky © Q-lieb-in / Shutterstock

Start your day with a hike around the lake, try to spot local bird species you have never seen before, enjoy the reflection of the mountains on the lake and spend the night looking at the stars until it lulls you to sleep.