Nature has blessed Pakistan with unparalleled beauty, and if you can’t take our word for it, have a look at what these famous travel vloggers have to say about Pakistan. Moreover, if you want to witness all that the country’s scenic landscape has to offer, consider visiting the most beautiful lakes in Pakistan during your trip to the northern areas. We’ve compiled a list of the best ones below to help you create a roadmap of your journey.
Scenic Lakes in Pakistan
Here are 15 of the most beautiful lakes in Pakistan that are truly worth a visit:
- Saif-ul-Maluk Lake
- Attabad Lake
- Rush Lake
- Satpara Lake
- Ratti Gali Lake
- Sheosar Lake
- Lulusar Lake
- Dudipatsar Lake
- Lower Kachura Lake
- Upper Kachura Lake
- Mahodand Lake
- Swaik Lake
- Chitta Katha Lake
- Karambar Lake
- Ansoo Lake
Let’s discuss these scenic lakes in Pakistan, their whereabouts, and what makes them a star attraction for people across the world.
Saif-ul-Maluk Lake
Location: Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Altitude: 3,224 metres (10,578 feet)
Located near Naran, at the northern end of Kaghan Valley, Saif-ul-Maluk Lake is spread over 2.5 square kilometres with an altitude of more than 10,000 feet. It is one of the highest and the most beautiful lakes in Pakistan, with a depth of about 50 feet below the surface. The lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, and the melting glaciers from these peaks continue to feed the lake, which is the source of the Kunhar River. You can reach the lake via a jeep ride from Naran Valley in about 30 minutes.
If you talk to the locals during your visit, they’ll tell you the tale of Saif-ul-Maluk, in which the Prince of Persia fell in love with a fairy princess at this very lake. Locals also entertain guests with the legend that fairies come to the lake on moonlit nights. Daytime activities at the lake include taking a boat ride on the still and chilly waters or having a snowball fight, while you can also camp under the stars near the edge of the lake.
Attabad Lake
Location: Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan
Altitude: 2,559 metres (8,398 feet)
Another high-altitude lake in Pakistan, which is considered to be the most scenic, is located in Gojal town in Hunza Valley. While the lake is natural, it was not even on the map about a decade ago, when a landslide in 2010 blocked a section of the River Hunza and created Attabad Lake. The lake is also known as Gojal Lake due to its proximity to the town.
Being the largest lake in Gilgit-Baltistan, Attabad Lake is spread over 13.5 square kilometres and is often visited by tourists, both national and international. The blue waters of the lake run 358 feet deep, with boating, swimming, and jet skiing being the primary activities enjoyed by visitors with a backdrop of the mountains.
Rush Lake
Location: Nagar Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan
Altitude: 4,694 metres (15,400 feet)
Being more than 15,000 feet above sea level, Rush Lake is Pakistan’s highest lake. It is also the 25th highest lake in the world, with its home in Nagar Valley of Gilgit-Baltistan. The lake can only be reached via a trek through the Nagar and Hopar valleys, or via a trek through the Hopar Glacier (Bualtar Glacier), and Miar Glacier. The way may be treacherous, but the views are stunning. You can witness panoramic views from the top of the surrounding mountain peaks of Spantik or Golden Peak, Malubiting or Malubiting West, Ultar Sar, Phuparash Peak, and Miar Peak.
Satpara Lake
Location: Skardu Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan
Altitude: 2,637 metres (8,650 feet)
Satpara Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan, as it is spread over 2.5 square kilometres. The Satpara Stream flows into the lake, feeding the Satpara Dam, which supplies fresh water throughout Skardu Valley. The lake looks magnificent in winters, but roads are often closed for tourists during that time, so plan for a summer trip to Gilgit-Baltistan instead.
Ratti Gali Lake
Location: Neelum Valley, Azad Jammu & Kashmir
Altitude: 3,698 metres (12,130 feet)
Ratti Gali is a high-altitude lake in Pakistan fed by glacial waters of the mountains surrounding it. The lake’s beauty has inspired writers for years, with lush green grass, wildflowers, and cool winds creating a unique ambience. The only way to reach this lake is to hike from the Dowarian base camp. You can reach Dowarian in a 4×4 vehicle with a 2.5-hour ride, before hiking up the mountain for an hour to get to the lake.
Sheosar Lake
Location: Deosai Plains, Gilgit-Baltistan
Altitude: 4,142 meters (13,589 feet)
If you consider a visit to Deosai National Park, you’ll be able to witness the beauty of Sheosar Lake for yourself. Located within the Deosai Plateau, which is the second-highest plateau in the world, the lake is accessible via two primary routes. One route leads to the park from Skardu via a jeep ride of a few hours, while the other enters the park from Astore over a 4-hour ride in a 4×4. You can also trek for a total of two days to reach the lake from Skardu. The best time to visit the park and the lake is in spring when wildflowers bloom all over the meadows. The lake itself is around 130 feet deep, with a beautiful backdrop of mountains.
Lulusar Lake
Location: Naran Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Altitude: 3,410 metres (11,188 feet)
As the main source of the Kunhar River, Lulusar Lake is a fairly frequented tourist destination in Kaghan Valley. The natural beauty reflecting on the surface of the lake is what makes it such a huge hit among tourists. Another reason why you should consider visiting this beautiful lake in Pakistan is that it has a paved road, which is easily accessible by car. A drive of about 8 hours from Islamabad via the city of Muzaffarabad can take you to Lulusar Lake.
Dudipatsar Lake
Location: Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Altitude: 3,800 metres (12,500 feet)
The Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park in Kaghan Valley is also home to the Dudipatsar Lake. The name literally translates to ‘White Mountain Lake’, referring to the snow-clad mountains surrounding the water body. The lake is also known as Dudipat Lake, and it is only accessible on foot. After parking your car at Besal, an hour away from Naran, you will be able to hike around 15 kilometres to the lake in less than 10 hours. The time duration can vary depending on your fitness level and speed. The views are glorious, and if hiking is not something you look forward to, you can consider renting a horse for the ride up the mountain.
Lower Kachura Lake
Location: Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan
Altitude: 2,500 metres (8,200 feet)
Known locally as Shangrila Lake after the resort that was built on its banks in the 1980s, the lake is a short drive of 20 minutes from Skardu. The word Shangri-la means ’Heaven on Earth’, and a visit to this scenic lake in Pakistan will make you testify to the name and its translations. While the resort offers a number of water sports on the lake, you can also rent a boat privately for a short trip over the lake’s still waters.
Upper Kachura Lake
Location: Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan
Altitude: 2,500 metres (8,200 feet)
Another lake near Skardu is the Upper Kachura Lake, which boasts crystal clear waters, and a depth of about 230 feet. However, it is not as frequently visited as the Lower Kachura Lake, due to its rough terrain and trek. Springtime brings apricot orchards and greenery to the surrounding area, while winter freezes everything in sight, including the deep waters of the lake.
Mahodand Lake
Location: Kalam Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Altitude: 2,900 metres (9,500 feet)
Mahodand Lake, meaning ‘Lake of Fishes’, is located in the upper parts of Usho Valley, which is around 40 kilometres from Kalam. You’ll need a 4×4 vehicle to take you to the lake, but once there, you can enjoy boating, camping, and, as the name implies, fishing. The best time to visit this scenic lake in Pakistan is during the summer when wild alpine flowers bloom in the nearby meadows, and a large variety of trout can be caught in the waters.
The lake is present at the foothills of the Hindukush Mountains and is surrounded by forests and meadows, which add to its beauty. Melting glaciers from the mountaintops feed this lake. Ushu Khwar, which is one of the primary sources of the River Swat, also originates from this very lake.
Swaik Lake
Location: Khandoa Village, Kallar Kahar Tehsil, Chakwal District, Punjab
Altitude: 754 metres (2,474 feet)
Swaik Lake is often called Khandoa Lake due to its proximity to the village of Khandoa. This blue-green lake with its waterfalls is perfect for a swim or a picnic but is less frequented by tourists because it is hidden from the main roads. A 45-minute hike from the M2 motorway can take you to this secret oasis amidst the foliage, where you can even partake in cliff diving and trekking around the area.
Chitta Katha Lake
Location: Shounter Valley, Azad Jammu & Kashmir
Altitude: 3,962 metres (12,999 feet)
With a name that literally means ‘White Stream’, Chitta Katha is a beautiful lake located in Shounter Valley. The lake is also the source of a local stream with the same name that flows through the area. If you’ve considered visiting Kashmir, then you’ll surely be heading to Kel base camp, which is from where this lake becomes accessible. A 20 kilometres jeep track then narrows down to a hiking trail of 5 kilometres, which opens up to this beautiful lake in Pakistan.
Karambar Lake
Location: Ishkoman Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan
Altitude: 4,272 metres (14,016 feet)
Being the second highest lake in Pakistan, and the 33rd highest lake in the world, Karambar Lake is nestled between Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is also known as Qurumbar Lake and is 180 feet deep. The heavenly blue waters await tourists who’re eager to travel the distance to witness its majestic beauty.
Ansoo Lake
Location: Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Altitude: 4,245 metres (13,927 feet)
Another high-altitude lake in Pakistan that is truly worth a visit is Ansoo Lake in the Mansehra District of Kaghan Valley. The unique shape of the lake is what attracts tourists and trekkers to the area, since the lake, as per its name, it actually shaped like a teardrop. It’s located in the Himalayan Mountains near Malika Parbat and is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world.
Many people also associate the lake with the shape of the human eye, considering that the lake is home to a frozen island in the centre that resembles the iris, and a ridge above the lake resembles an eyebrow, especially when the snow melts off the ridge in the summers. The lake was actually discovered in 1993 when a low-flying aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force spotted the lake and its unique shape.
While there is no place to stay near the lake, people rely on camping in the frigid and bitter winds. However, most locals advise against this, as the weather in the area can be extremely unpredictable. The lake can be reached via a short but steep trek from Saif-ul-Maluk Lake, which is a 12-hour round trip across snowy trails.
These are some of the most beautiful lakes in Pakistan that are indeed worth a visit during your trip to the northern areas. Keep following Zameen Blog for more tourism and travel posts. If you’ve visited any of these lakes, share your experience with us at blog@zameen.com.
