Just an hour and a half away from Tashkent, Lake Yallama is a perfect spot to make the most of summer days. We made a quick stop on the way, grabbed some drinks and samsas and headed straight to the lake. The lakeshore is peaceful in the morning but gets livelier as the day goes on, cafés open up and the air feels wonderfully fresh after the rain.
Prices at Yallama are quite reasonable. Beer, tea and water are all offered at fair rates. You can even rent equipment if you want to give something a try. As for food, the most popular choices are the various samsas brought from Tashkent, fried carp and beef kebabs with tail fat. The carp is deep-fried whole in sunflower oil and served with fresh tomatoes and bread. The kebabs are also delicious.
The lake water is warm and free-flowing, nothing like the heavy, still water of a pool, making it very comfortable to swim in. We even took a canoe ride and felt like we were on a little vacation island. Although it rained from time to time, it did not spoil the fun. The tents and umbrellas at the cafés were more than enough to keep us covered. Families come here too, but it is good to keep an eye on little kids around the water.
Everyone who joined was really pleased, some were even visiting for the third time. The common feeling was that we will definitely come back again. Who knows, maybe next year they will even add some Korean dishes to the menu.
With its easy access from Tashkent, great atmosphere, tasty food and refreshing water, Lake Yallama is a perfect escape. Not even the rain could stop us, we are already looking forward to our next visit. I highly recommend adding it to your list.