Beautiful lakes

Lake Sevan is Armenia's largest lake and is located at an altitude of 1,900 m - which should make it the second highest commercially navigable lake after Titicaca (3,811 m). It is deep blue and fringed by green fields, abandoned Soviet buildings, local villages and ancient churches - and popular for holidaying Armenians. In pre-Soviet times, the water level was 20 m higher with a surface 50% larger than today, but a Soviet-engineered irrigation project (similar to the one that made the Aral disaster) shrunk the lake and turned Sevan Island into a peninsula. Recent attempts have been made to save the delicate ecosystem by raising the water level to its original level, but it will be interesting to see how far they will get since farmers, resorts and even the president's summerhouse (behind Savanavank) are located right at present water level.

Though Boga Lake is beautiful, it is not so much the place itself than it is the journey to get there that is the real attraction. The trip from Bandarban is just stunning and takes you down the Sangu river and through what must be some of the finest hill country. Rolling green hills dotted with tribal villages, sloping fields and the occasional bamboo hut on stilts. The different tribes which inhabit the area are Marma and Bawn people, where the latter lives right at Boga Lake. The trip to the lake can be combined with a trek up to the highest mountain/hill in Bangladesh, Mt Keokradang (986 m... and not 1230 m as stated other places).

For travel information how to get there, check out the photo gallery.

Yihun Lhatso is a holy alpine lake located at 4010 m at the foot of the mountain Cholan Shan (6168 m). It is picture-perfect with a milky turquoise color with a gorgeous backdrop of rigged mountains crowned with snow. Along the shore, boulders have Tibetan mantras, like om pani padme um, carved into them and there are colorful prayer flags hanging down from the pine trees and even a stupa. The trail, used by yaks, on the east side of the lake will take you to the far end, where the views are even more breath taking - and it is not just because of the high altitude. This place is seriously pretty, and you will very likely have it all for yourself, beside the yaks.

China certainly likes to tout its beautiful lakes. And while many lakes closer to the interior of the country are quite nice, few can compare to Karakol Lake. About as far west in China as you can go, this beautifully set lake sees very few tourists, domestic or foreign. And the old adage of "getting there is half the fun" certainly applies to Karakol, as anyone coming to the area is forced to travel along the Karakoram Highway, arguably the most beautiful stretch of road on Earth. Whether opting for a brisk hike in the hills, or merely sitting by the lakeside taking in the spectacular scenery, Karakol is one lake not to be missed.

The lack of freedom to travel independently in Tibet means that getting to know the locals is nearly impossible. However, given just how jaw-dropping the scenery is, most people are willing to sacrifice that independence for a little while.
After spending the day winding your way up the mammoth mountains, avoiding potholes and massive drops, you finally reach the viewpoint above one of the world's highest lakes (4441 m).
Yamdrok Lake is the most stunning turquoise and, given the view of towering massif Mt. Nojin Kangtsang in the distance, it's definitely worth hanging around for a while. That is of course, if you can handle the altitude!

The largest lake in Colombia, located at the semi-high elevation of 3000 m. It is an enchanting place, where clouds come rolling in from the surrounding hills to lie low over the cold water. Any road to here is winding and takes you through tough farmland and rough villages (like Cuitiva, Iza and Tota). The local farmers all sport ponchos, wide brim hats and sunburned cheeks. There even is a "Playa Blanca" at the shore of the lake with sand and space for camping under the pine and eucalyptus trees.

This is Dominica's most famous oddity – a boiling lake. The murky lake sits in a cauldron and when active is bubbling due to emitting gases from the molten lava deep underground. The lake can only be reached by a trek that takes about 6 hours return. It's not an easy trek, but very rewarding with lush rainforest, amazing views over the natonal park, steamy mini geysors, and, of course, the second largest boiling lake in the world (the largest is in New Zealand). The trek goes through a lot of elevation and though there are steps of wooden beams, it can get very muddy and slippery. Some parts need to be scrambled (with hands and feet), creeks need to be crossed several times, and the last section up to the crater rim can be hard to find unless you have a guide or have downloaded a gpx file to your gps device. The trek should not be started after 11 am and begins at Titou Gorge.

Perfectly round Lake Bosomtwe is the result of a water filled meteorite crater. 8 km in diameter, it's the largest natural lake in Ghana. It's located amid lush greenery and hills rising some 400 metres above its shores, making the lake a superb place to unwind from the hectic streets of Kumasi. If nothing else, it's a great lunch spot. Locals still hold the lake sacred and traditions have it that nothing made of metal is allowed to touch the water. To complicate things further the only permissible form of transport on the lake used to be traditional boats paddled with small calabash scoops not much larger than a grown man's hand. However, realising the tourist potential of the lake, these taboos are quickly losing their importance.

Often celebrated as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Guatemala's Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlán) lives up to the billing. Surrounded by 3 conical volcanoes, the lake's magnificent setting is the thing of legends. The best part is there is no "must see" view. Instead, exploration of the lake and its villages (if for nothing more than different views) is part of the charm. Any number of traditional villages surround the lake. Here, locals speak their indigenous languages and dress in traditional clothes. A visit to one of the local markets will most certain cause your camera to overheat as amazing photo opportunities lie around every corner. Atitlán is special!

Guinea's largest lake is a result of a hydro-electric dam. This explains its peculiar shape, as water filled up the surrounding valleys. The lake is still full of half sunken trees and a few flooded market stalls in the villages that now dots the shore. It's the best place in Guinea to spend time on water, and its relatively short distance from Conakry makes it an excellent day or weekend trip. The lake is best approached from its namesake village, Samaya, on the western shore. Here it's possible to rent pirogues for fishing trips or tours on the lake. Our favourite activity is sailing to the rock islands mid-lake and spend a lazy afternoon picnicking and swimming. The surrounding hills offer stunning views of the lake and are a recommendable hike. Samaya market day is Sunday. There is no formal accommodation in the village, but the (female) chief can arrange lodgings with local families.