[1] The Zharly has its sources in the slopes of Mount Duaktas, part of the Kyzyltas Massif, central Kazakh Uplands.It first flows roughly westwards as the Ashchyozek, a mountain river forming rapids within a deep, narrow gorge.Further downriver from Milybulak village it is known as the Koktal; its channel widens and the flow of the current eases.In its middle course the river passes by Akshoky and is known as the Zharly, beginning to twist and turn while continuing to flow northwards; here some stretches of its banks are steep.Formerly the river used to reach the southern shore of lake Saumalkol, but now its waters get lost in the ground about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the south of the lakeshore, a little east of Zhanazhol village, former Novy Put.