There are many lakes in the world, formed by a wide variety of geological processes and forces within the earth. What distinguishes many of them is the life that thrives around them in all its forms, from unspoilt nature to human activity. Water is life.
Another feature of the lakes is the visual appeal of water, which draws us in and captivates us. Some bodies of water are so vast that they have been mistaken for seas throughout history. A good example is the Caspian Sea that technically speaking, is largest lake in the world. In second place is Lake Superior, or Lake Superior on the border between United States and Canada. There are other lakes not so huge, but worth mentioning.
7 special lakes you can visit with Viajes Tuareg
Let’s discover some beautiful lakes on our adventure routes around the world.
1 – Lake Þingvallavatn in Iceland
Its almost unpronounceable name may not be well known, but this lake lies beside one of the main tourist attractions in Iceland. We mean Thingvellir or Þingvellir in Icelandic, a place deeply rooted in Icelandic culture. One of humanity’s earliest parliamentary assemblies once met here. It is therefore unsurprising that the lake’s name can be translated as “lake of the assembly plain”.
Another outstanding feature of Thingvellir is that it is an outstanding place to observe continental drift, with clear evidence of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Look here at our routes and trips to Iceland
2 - Lake Turkana, Ethiopia and Kenya
It lies between the countries of Ethiopia and Kenya, mainly within the latter’s territory. The Omo, Turkwel and Kerio rivers continually feed the lake, whose water gradually evaporates. It is also known for Sea of Jade or, in the past, Lake Rudolf.
Around the Lake Turkana remains have been found that place hominids here in the distant past. Palaeoanthropologist Leakey led the excavation that uncovered a skull more than two million years old: Homo rudolfensis, named after the lake’s former name.
African routes in Kenya and Ethiopia
3 – Lake Atitlán in Guatemala
The Lake Atitlan National Park is considered as one of the most important places
spectacular of all Guatemala. Clearly volcanic in origin and surrounded by craters, the lake is estimated to be 450 m deep and lies 1,540 m above sea level. Colourful indigenous communities have settled on its shores, including Panajachel, the main tourist centre.
Another interesting fact about Lake Atitlan is the Xocomil, a strong wind that usually rises around noon. Its intensity makes it very dangerous, sometimes whipping up violent waves that have caused more than one shipwreck.
Our proposals for trips to Guatemala
4 – Lake Natron in Tanzania
At first glance, it is the colour of Lake Natron that attracts attention in Tanzania. Its striking red colour comes from algae adapted to highly alkaline waters that are toxic to most animal species. The lake is difficult to reach and rarely visited, so little information is available about it.
A huge colony of flamingos lives here, their pink colour coming from the algae and small animals they filter from the water. With few predators in such inhospitable terrain, they take advantage of the site to nest. Near the lake rises the active volcano Ol Doinyo Lengai, a sacred place for the Maasai people.
5 – Lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan
The largest lake in Kyrgyzstan is the Lake Issyk Kul, accompanied by another of lesser relevance but very important in the country called Son Kul. It is considered the Central Asian Beach for attracting tourists and holidaymakers from neighbouring countries to its shores.
We are talking about the second largest mountain lake in the world after Lake Titicaca, in a region where during winter temperatures can reach -20 degrees Celsius. Despite this, the Lake Issyk Kul does not freeze. How is that possible? There are several reasons: first, the high salinity of its waters; second, the hot springs flowing up from the lake’s depths.
More than 100 streams and rivers feed the 182 km-long lake, especially in spring when the snow accumulated in the Tian Shan mountains melts.
Routes of adventure in Kyrgyzstan
6 – Lake Nokoué in Benin
We already talked here on the blog earlier about Lake Nokoué and the unique city of Ganvié built over its waters. South of the lake lies Cotonou, very close to the sea. The lake is not particularly large, measuring 20 km wide by 11 km long. It is fed mainly by the Ouéme and Sô rivers, which constantly bring sediment.
7 – Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and Peru
It is perhaps of all the lakes mentioned above the most popular and well known. The Lake Titicaca covers 8,562 km² and consists of two large bodies of water linked by the Strait of Tiquina. The larger northern part is known as Mayor or Chucuito, and the smaller as Menor or Huiñamarca. Its size moderates the local climate, making it more pleasant and suitable for human activity than its location at almost 4,000 metres above sea level would suggest.
Many islands are scattered across it, including some “floating” islands. These belong to the Uru people, descendants of the Aymara, South America’s oldest people, and are built on a base of local totora reeds. They are among Titicaca’s main tourist attractions.
The banks of Lake Titicaca Peru and Bolivia are home to ancient cultures. There are many fascinating remains from pre-Inca times and the Inca Empire to visit.
Look here. our routes in Peru