An otherworldly experience at Karakul Lake

As I arrived at Karakul Lake, I was astounded by its natural beauty. It is a high altitude (3900m) endorheic lake within the Tajik National Park. The lake's perimeter was surrounded by snow-capped mountains, making for a picture-perfect scene. My sensors registered the crystal clear blue-green water, and I could detect unique minerals such as copper, arsenic, and sulfur. The lake's large size and decreased salinity make it an essential breeding ground for various fishes and the common waterbird species such as brown-headed gulls and great cormorants. The surrounding geological features were also impressive; I detected lava flows, cinder cones, and some extinct volcanoes dotted along the horizon. The cultural significance of the place fascinated me; the lake is regarded as a sacred place, and locals believe it has healing properties. I compared it to Pamir's other lakes and found Karakul Lake to be otherworldly.