Hike along Lake Sonkol
South of the yurt Batai Aral
Just south of the Bataj-Aral yurt camp is a small shallow lake separated only by a narrow scythe from the huge Sonkol. The walk along this scythe is very nice, especially in the morning, when the peaks of the mountain range north of the lake are reflected in the lake. If you are a little brave, you can cross the river at the end of this lake, go through the wetland and return to the camp another way, or bypass the whole small lake. If you don't want almost a pound and a half to walk through waterlogged terrain, you have to return the same way along the scythe. Even so, it's a nice, almost three-hour trip.
Bataj-Aral Yurt Camp
This scenic walk begins at the Bataj-Aral Jurassic Camp, located at the northeastern end of Lake Sonkol.
Small lake
The Bataj-Aral yurt camp is located on a smaller lake about 2.5 kmx1.5 km, which is separated from the huge Sonkol only by a narrow scythe. Bypassing this smaller lake is the goal of this walk.
Sonkol beach
After about six hundred meters walk from the camp you will reach the own shore of Lake Sonkol. If you are not cold-tempered, you can refresh yourself in the lake. The beach is pleasant from small pebbles.
View of the Bataj-Aral camp
The view of the camp across the lake is very nice. In addition, it nicely reflects the surrounding mountains in the morning.
Road to the scythe
The path between the two lakes leads along the scythe, about 20–30 meters wide. It goes well both on the grass and on the beach. Depending on the weather conditions, a lot of insects can fly here, including huge bugs.
View across the lake
Even this „small“ lake is in some places over a kilometer wide, so it is not so small. The further you go on the scythe, the less chance you have of meeting a tourist. It is practically just for you, as on almost all walks around Lake Sonkol.
By the river
After about an hour of leisurely walking, he will reach the end of the lake. A river less than half a meter deep and ten meters wide flows out of it. Here it is advisable to wade through and head north through the wetland if you want to make a round trip. The scythe itself continues for over a kilometer.
Road through the wetland
The path through the wetland is not very pleasant, you will come across small lakes and streams. It pays to go barefoot all the way. Sometimes you will fall slightly, but no more than to your knees. The wetland is bordered on the north by another small river, from where the terrain fortunately rises and there is a trail trodden by cattle. In any case, it is the most demanding part of the whole walk lasting almost half an hour.
Idyll over the lake
After crossing the wetland, the Sonkol idyll begins again – endless flowering meadows full of cattle. Further east, higher mountains can be seen in the background than from Bataj-Aral camp.
Road around a lone yurt
After the meadows it is back to Batai Aral about three kilometers. Along the way you will walk around several isolated non-tourist yurts
Meadows full of horses
You can enjoy large herds of horses before you walk back from this nice hike.
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