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All Turkmenistan Gokdepe Köw Ata Underground Lake

Köw Ata Underground Lake

This cavernous swimming spot doubles as a home to the largest known colony of bats in Central Asia.

Gokdepe, Turkmenistan

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Tawsam
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The entrance to Köw Ata underground lake in Turkmenistan.   imageBROKER / Alamy
The entrance to Köw Ata underground lake in Turkmenistan.   imageBROKER / Alamy
The main chamber with changing booth.   Iopheam / Atlas Obscura User
Entryway.   Iopheam / Atlas Obscura User
Staircase.   User submitted
The underground lake.   User submitted
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About

In Turkmenistan, a sun-scorched Central Asian country where over 80 percent of the land is covered in desert, finding a place to swim can often be a challenge.

The landlocked nation has access to the Caspian Sea, the world’s largest lake, but it's a long way from the capital city of Ashgabat. Most people from the capital region prefer the country’s next best swimming spot—which is located more than 200 feet underground.

A long metal staircase leads down into the Bakharden Cave, where the 235-foot-long lake is located. The warm waters contain a high amount of different salts and minerals, most notably sulfur, which is responsible for the distinct smell within the cave. Thus, Köw Ata Underground Lake is also the closest thing Turkmenistan has to a thermal spa.

Aside from being a swimming spot and a thermal spa, the cave is also a natural monument, established to protect the largest known colony of bats in the whole of Central Asia. It is a question of personal taste, whether this fact adds to a pleasurable swim or not.

Related Tags

Natural Wonders Bats Bat Caves Caves Water Animals Ecosystems Nature

Know Before You Go

The lake is best visited with your own transportation, and it's about an hour to an hour an a half's drive from Ashgabat. Admission is not free. It's best to bring a change of clothing, so you don't smell like sulfur after visiting the lake.

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Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell

Epic city structures, desert landscapes & local tea at nomadic settlements.

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Community Contributors

Added By

Tawsam

Edited By

Annetta Black, hrnick, Meg, Iopheam...

  • Annetta Black
  • hrnick
  • Meg
  • Iopheam
  • daynix

Published

July 16, 2013

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Sources
  • Lonely Planet Central Asia; 4th Edition; July 2007
  • http://www.showcaves.com/english/misc/showcaves/KowAta.html
Köw Ata Underground Lake
Köw Ata ýoly
Gokdepe
Turkmenistan
38.30352, 57.519135
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Saparmurat Hajji Mosque

Gokdepe, Turkmenistan

miles away

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Gokdepe

Gokdepe

Turkmenistan

Places 2

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Saparmurat Hajji Mosque

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Gokdepe

Gokdepe

Turkmenistan

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