10 Must-visit Places in Pakistan

[Dr Fausts]

🇵🇰 for your Travel Bucket List"



Chitta Katha Lake, located in Shounter Valley, Azad Kashmir, at an elevation of 13,500 feet, is the type of lake you have to pinch yourself to believe you’re really staring at it. The unique colour of lake's water changes from emerald green to turquoise blue, depending on the season and the daylight.
It’s a glacier-fed lake that is so gorgeous & breathtakingly beautiful. Another thing that makes the lake so special is the glacier-capped steep rocky mountains in the backdrop.
Chitta Katha Lake, isn’t easy to see, as it’s about a 20 km jeep track from Kel to Upper Domail & than (5.1 km) 8 to 10 hours arduous hike, but it’s gorgeous and completely worth it. The lake is accessible from July to September, but if you go in August, you’ll catch the amazing abundance of wildflowers during the hike.

[Dr Fausts]

Dudipatsar Lake, Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park, Kaghan Valley

The breathtaking & awe-inspiring Dudipatsar Lake is regarded as sight to see, and rightfully so, located in Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park, in extreme north of Kaghan Valley. The entire trail is located in the national park and is therefore, full of natural diversity. It will also take the hikers through many zones of the park with each zone having distinct flora & fauna.
The lake & the park are accessible for four months of the year from June to late September. In the summer, when the mirror-like water reflects the scenery, visitors from different parts of the country and from abroad travel to enjoy the enchanting views.
The trail head / base camp for Dudipatsar is located at Besal, which is about an hour drive from Naran. Nevertheless, from Besal, it's a gruelling 18 Km hike through lush green meadows, streams & waterfalls, which takes about 8 to 10 hours to reach the Lake.
The fact that it is not easily accessible maintains this picturesque lake’s peaceful and secluded vibe.

[Dr Fausts]

3) Fairy Meadows, Diamer District, Gilgit Baltistan


"Fairy Meadows are where the legends of Nanga Parbat are kept alive." It is a greenland near one of the base camp sites of the Nanga Parbat, located in Diamer District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, at an altitude of about 3,300 meters above the sea level. It serves as the launching point for trekkers summiting on the Rakhiot face of the Nanga Parbat. Nevertheless, in 1995, the Government of Pakistan declared Fairy Meadows a National Park

[Dr Fausts]

4) 🌍 Arang Kel, Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir


The small hill top village of Arang Kel, in the midst of lush green meadows, is known as the pearl of Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Located above Kel at an altitude of 8,379 feet, the picturesque village of Arang Kel, is accessible by a 2 km (1.2 mi) trek from Kel or by a kilometer long chair left administrated by the Pak Army.
June, July and August are certainly the best months to visit this mesmerising tourist spot. When nature awakens, with lambs bouncing around the lush green fields, wildflowers and fruit trees blooming at their best & the earth seems to have come to the life again.

[Dr Fausts]

6) Ratti Gali Lake, Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir



Ratti Gali Lake, an alpine glacial lake, located in Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir, at an altitude of 12,130 feet, is the type of lake you have to pinch yourself to believe you’re really staring at it. The lake is fed by the surrounding glacier waters of the mountains. It is certainly a gem in the crown of Neelam Valley.
The unique colour of lake's water changes from emerald green to turquoise blue, depending on the season and the daylight. The glacier-capped rocky mountains gives the perfect backdrop to the lake.
Ratti Gali Lake, is accessible from Dowarian the base camp by an unmetalled 18 kilometers road cum hiking trek through breath-taking sites. The trek gets opened from June to September, but if you go in August, you’ll catch the amazing abundance of wildflowers during the hike.

[Dr Fausts]

7) Rainbow Lake, Domail, Minimarg, Gilgit Baltistan

The crown jewel of Minimarg & Domail is the beautiful Rainbow Lake, that takes on different colours at different times of the day. The water, which is crystal clear, is sourced from the streams and springs that course their way down the mountains. The setting of the surrounding majestic mountain peaks makes the scene almost surreal.
The picturesque lake presents a perfect picture of serenity & tranquility. It remains frozen over until June, whereas, July & August is a good time to visit the Lake, that’s when the emerald green / turquoise blue glacial water is at its prettiest, which makes it a hit with photographers.
Final word, spectacularly beautiful is perhaps the best way to describe Rainbow Lake.

[Dr Fausts]

8) Sheosar Lake, Desoai National Park, Gilgit Baltistan



If you’re looking for a lake in pretty settings, Sheosar Lake, certainly fits the bill. Located in Deosai National Park, the Lake, is a scenic personified, surrounded by snow-capped mountains & lush green meadows. It presents a perfect picture of serenity & tranquility.
Sheosar Lake is generally frozen over until June, whereas, July & August is a good time to visit the Lake, that’s when the emerald green / turquoise blue glacial water is at its prettiest, which makes it hit with photographers. Swim, if you dare, in the cold water or hike around the lake in the summer.
The lake is accessible through two routes. One is via Skardu and the other via Astore District, near Chilum Chowki.
Final word, spectacularly beautiful is perhaps the best way to describe this picturesque lake.

[Dr Fausts]

9) Mahodand Lake, Kalam Valley, Swat District, KPK



The Lake, looks like something straight out of a dream. It is popularly known as "Lake of Fishes". Nestled in the upper Ushu Valley at a distance of about 40 km from Kalam, Swat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
The lake is accessible by a four-wheel drive, through forests, enchanting waterfalls & winding streams. Set up camp, sit back, relax and take in this natural paradise. The stunning beauty will leave you in awe!

[Dr Fausts]

Taobat is a charming village sits on the banks of the River Neelam, in Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. This unbelievably beautiful riverside hamlet is the last station of Neelam Valley located at distance of 200 kilometers (120 mi) from Muzaffarabad & 39 kilometers (24 mi) from Kel.
The drive from Kel to Taobat is certainly the best one in the world in terms of its mesmerising scenic beauty which will leave you in awe. The route offers pretty villages (Janwai, Sardari & Hilmat) with wooden cottages, enchanting waterfalls, flower-covered meadows, heavily forested mountains & a roaring river. In the end, one realises that sometimes journey is more important than the destination.

The breathtakingly gorgeous drive from Kel to Taobat is the real personification of a famous Persian Poet, Amir Khusru's couplet;

"Agar Firdaus ba roy-i zamin ast;
hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast,”

“If there is Paradise on earth;
It is this, it is this, it is this."

[Dr Fausts]

Saral Lake, Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir



Nestled in the Gumut National Park, this little-known lake is a hidden gem. This secluded lake in Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan, offers stunning views you'll never forget throughout your life.
A truly spellbinding sight to behold, Saral Lake, stuns with its aquamarine, otherworldly waters. In addition, the pristine waters, hold reflection of the snow-frosted, lush green mountains in the backdrop, which adds to the picturesque display.
The best time to visit Saral Lake is during the last days of June, the entire month of July and the first week of August. When nature awakens, with lambs & wild horses bouncing around the lush green fields, wildflowers blooming at their best & the earth seems to have come to the life again.

There are three different hiking routes to access to the Lake;

i) Jalkhad to Saral Gali (Jalkhad Sharda Road) on a Jeep; Saral Gali to Saral Top & finally, from Saral Top to the picturesque Saral Lake; & return back to Besal via Dudipatsar Lake.

ii) Besal to Mulla Ki Basti; Mulla Ki Basti to Dudipatsar Lake; Dudipat to Saral Pass; from Saral Pass to Saral Top & finally from Saral Top to the Saral Lake & Return back to Saral Top, from Saral Top to Saral Gali & lastly, from Saral Gali to Jalkhad (Jalkhad Sharda Road) via Jeep.

iii) Sharda to Noori Top (Gumut National Park) via Sharda-Jalkhad road on Jeep; hiking from Noori Top to Saral Top & finally, from Saral Top to Saral Lake.