Lake or water
Khalti Lake
Ghizer district · 2,250 m
Trout water below Gupis, frozen hard enough to walk on by January.
Khalti Lake lies in the Ghizer district, one of the valley's chain of lakes. The book names Khalti, Hundrap, Phunder, Shandur, Qurumbar and Utter as the best known. In summer the lake is a peaceful stop. In winter it freezes over and becomes a gathering place.
Kind Lake or waterDistrict GhizerElevation 2,250 mPosition 36.249° N, 73.364° E
About Khalti Lake
The book describes locals and visitors coming out onto the ice for traditional ice games, with laughter against snow-covered peaks. A winter festival is held here, with ice hockey, ice skating and a range of traditional winter sports. The festival also includes cultural shows and stalls selling local craft and food, so come hungry.
The book has good tips for a winter outing. Hats, mitts, a scarf, warm socks and insulated waterproof boots are the basics. Add long underwear, layers and a warm jacket, plus sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm for the glare off the ice.
In summer, come for the open water and the trout, and enjoy the quiet.
Elsewhere in Ghizer
Swipe along the district, from the valley floor to the summits.
- 1,800 m
Town or village
Gahkuch
The district headquarters of Ghizer, on the Gilgit river, and the turn for the Ishkoman valley.
- 2,400 m
Town or village
Ishkoman
A valley where nine languages are spoken in Immit village alone, and the base for treks to Yasin, Naltar and Chapursan.
- 4,272 m
Lake or water
Qurumbar Lake
At 4,272 m, a perennial lake at the head of Ishkoman, inside Pakistan's first wetlands national park.
- 2,200 m
Town or village
Gupis
Where the Yasin river joins the Gilgit, and where the road divides for Yasin and Shandur.
- 2,300 m
Town or village
Yasin
A Burushaski speaking valley, once a powerful independent kingdom and the gateway between the Oxus and the Indus.
- 2,800 m
Town or village
Darkot
The last village on the road north of Yasin, and the base for treks over the Darkot Pass into Chapursan.
Lake or water · 2,900 m
Phunder
The river braids into blue pools below the village: trout, poplars and a polo ground, on the road to Shandur.
- 3,700 m
Pass
Shandur Pass
At 3,700 m, the pass between Ghizer and Chitral, with the highest polo ground in the world on top.