Naltar Valley Lakes Trek

About the Naltar Valley Lakes Trek

The Naltar Valley in Gilgit district is one of the most undervisited scenic destinations in Pakistan's north. The valley lies 40 kilometres northwest of Gilgit town and is accessible by a half-day jeep drive over the Naltar Ridge at approximately 3,800 metres. The valley is famous for its dense pine forests, its three high-altitude lakes of exceptional colour, and the presence of the Pakistan Air Force ski resort at 3,100 metres that gives it a degree of infrastructure unusual for a remote mountain valley. The Naltar Valley Lakes Trek visits all three lakes, Naltar Lake (Bashkiri Lake), Satrangi Lake, and Buluchhiq Lake, in a 6-day itinerary combining walking and camping in one of the most colourful landscape environments in Pakistan.

The lakes owe their intense colours to dissolved minerals and light refraction in the glacial water. Satrangi, meaning "seven colours" in Urdu, is the most vivid and changes colour through the day as light conditions change. The surrounding pine forest and the backdrop of the Naltar peaks make the lake scenery distinctive from the higher, more austere landscapes of the main Karakoram.

Route and Highlights

From Gilgit the jeep drive to Naltar village takes approximately 3 hours on a mountain road with significant altitude gain. From Naltar village the trekking route climbs through pine forest to the first lake at approximately 3,050 metres, continuing to the upper lakes at 3,200 to 3,400 metres through meadows and boulder terrain. The Naltar Valley is one of the few areas in northern Pakistan where dense coniferous forest continues into the high mountain zone, creating a forest-lake landscape more reminiscent of the Alps than the typical Karakoram bare rock environment.

The Three Lakes

Naltar Lake (Bashkiri) at 3,050 metres is the lowest and largest, with a long reflective surface that mirrors the surrounding pine-covered ridges. Satrangi Lake at approximately 3,200 metres is the most photographed for its colour changes. Buluchhiq Lake at approximately 3,400 metres sits in a more open basin above the treeline with clearer views of the Naltar peaks above. Each lake has a distinct character and the walking route between them passes through varied terrain that includes forest, meadow, and moraine.

Best Season

May through October. The Naltar Valley road over the ridge is snow-covered until late April. June and September are the best months for forest colour and clear lake reflections without the summer crowds. July and August have the most settled weather but also the highest domestic visitor traffic from Gilgit. Autumn (October) brings golden colour to the larch trees in the lower valley.

Physical Requirements

Moderate. The trek involves 3 to 5 hours of walking daily on established forest paths and meadow tracks with moderate altitude gains. The highest point at Buluchhiq Lake (3,400 m) is accessible for most healthy adults. No technical equipment required. Suitable for first-time trekkers and those preferring forested mountain terrain over exposed high-altitude routes.

Why Choose This Trek

The Naltar Valley Lakes Trek delivers forested mountain scenery and vivid glacial lake colour in a quiet valley that most Pakistan visitors miss entirely. The combination of pine forest, multi-coloured lakes, and mountain backdrop is genuinely unique in northern Pakistan's trekking menu. All jeep transport from Gilgit, guide, cook, and camping equipment are included.