The best thing about traveling is, you are always waking up to explore a new place, unveil a new tale, meet diverse people, each with a different narrative, discover unexpected treasures, and fascinate yourselves in the beauty of places never known before.
After we left the Spantik region and stayed the night in Hispar Valley, the sunrise came with a promise of a new adventure. The final valley of the Nagar region looked stunning as the sun casted its shadow everywhere. After getting bathed with the soft glow of dawn, we prepared ourselves for the next journey of exploration. Andy with all his excitement ignited our anticipation by narrating about the wonders of our next destination – Attabad Lake.
Attabad Lake: A Tale of Tragedy
“Nature has her own ways of working, you know, it’s so true in the case of Attabad Lake… the formation of the lake is the most fascinating thing about it. It was created as a result of a massive landslide!” Andy exclaimed. Now, this headline piqued the curiosity in all of us. While holding a bread slice in my hand as we sat on the floor for breakfast, I paid attention to Andy and his story.
“Back in 2010, on the 4th of January, the residents of Attabad were peacefully sleeping on their cozy beds, oblivious to the turmoil that awaited. Suddenly, their world was shaken when they heard some rip-roaring noises. Upon opening their doors, they met the most unsympathetic guest – a massive landslide rushing towards their homes.”
“Fretted and distraught, they had no choice but to abandon their houses hastily. But alas, not all of them were successful in doing so. Terror, raw and primal, contorted their faces as the earth roared and homes crumbled around them… the merciless landslide ended up taking twenty lives!” Andy sighed.
Expedition Towards Attabad Lake:
Now, this is where the dead silence prevailed in the room. The air became thick with the weight of the past until the guide’s announcement cut through the stillness, signalling the arrival of jeep wranglers. Swiftly, we rose, secured our bags, and settled in the waiting jeeps outside.
We bid adieu to Hispar as the jeeps steered towards yet another stunning settlement, Hopar Valley. The almost 2-hour road journey, covering 40 km, didn’t bother me at all because of the idyllic panoramas around. My camera, ever-ready, actively captured the vistas around me, and I was just eagerly waiting for the time to bless my Instagram feed with these visual bombers.
The Hopar Valley with its lush landscape captivated me completely. Though I was never a nature person before, this Pakistan tour diverted me in a different direction. I can see myself wandering to natural attractions in Britain and capturing the breathtaking scenery now.
After a brief stay in Hopar, we left for our main destination. If the enchanting backdrops were not enough to entertain us during the 1 hour 10 minutes road journey, Andy continued with his story of Attabad Lake.
Attabad Lake’s Fascinating Formation:
“So, where was I? Ah yes, the tragic incident in Attabad Village… You know what the sad part is, the geological department of Pakistan had already warned these locals, urging them to evacuate and relocate. However, perhaps taking these cautions lightly, they chose to stay put. Consequently, fate turned the tables and nature executed her plans.”
“The gigantic landslide, triggered by the rupture of a colossal mountain, ended up blocking the flow of Hunza River… 14 kilometers upstream (east) of Karimabad, and it remained blocked for five months.” Andy was now taking help from Wikipedia to state the figures. He continued, “The calamity not just destroyed Attabad village but also took Ainabad, Shishkat, Gulmit and Gulkin into its wrath. It left 6000 villagers displaced, and 25,000 individuals stranded because of disruption of land transportation routes.”
“Quoting it again, Nature has her own ways of working… Despite the tragedy that befell the region, it resulted in something that Pakistan will forever be grateful for. Until June 2010, the blocked flow submerged the lower Shishkat and partly flooded Gulmit, giving birth to a new lake, now known by the name of the once-dusted village—Attabad. So, that’s how a devastating incident turned into a blessing in disguise for Pakistan. And that, my friends, is the sorrowful narrative behind the birth of Pakistan’s gem, Attabad Lake,” Andy concluded.
“Woah Andy, you have done some great homework for this!” one of Andy’s colleagues quipped, laughter filling the air of Attabad. Thanks to Andy and his compelling story, we traced our route through Nagarkhas, Altit, Faiz Abad, Ahmad Abad, and found ourselves in the dreamy town of Attabad.
Reaching the Jewel of Hunza, Attabad Lake:
At an altitude of 2,559 meters (8,396 ft), the valley unfolded like a mesmerizing glimpse of heaven. Honestly, at this point, excitement surged within me and I eagerly anticipated witnessing the miracle teardrop—Attabad Lake—after getting to know its enthralling backstory. After a 20-minute drive from the city, we were finally at our landing place in the Gojal region of Hunza district. As we approached the entrance, our tour operator graciously covered the ticket prices at the gate, which amounted to 200 PKR per person. With the fees settled, we eagerly stepped inside.
Shimmering turquoise water just like crystals, complemented with the mighty mountains of Karakoram range in the backdrop, creating a majestic serenity – Attabad Lake exactly felt like a poet’s imagination. Measuring a depth of 109 m (358 ft), and stretching over 21 km (13 mi), the lake is a lot more than just ordinary. The juvenile lake deserves the spotlight, not just because of its fascinating formation but its breathtaking surreal beauty.
After wandering around the lake for an hour and capturing some incredible pictures, Andy called me for lunch at 1 pm. After savoring the most famous Pakistani cuisine, Biryani, at Glacier Breeze Restaurant, we headed out for an afternoon of sports.
Activities at Attabad Lake:
The lake is renowned for its recreational activities, hence beckoning us to partake in thrilling experiences such as jet-skiing, fishing, boating, and more. I enjoyed the boat ride the most, when we hired a big boat for 2000 PKR, and took a round of the lake for an hour, having the most enchanting panoramic view and out-of-the-world scenery. My kodak had the best captures in a while of the most jaw-dropping view.
How could I miss jet-ski? At just 500 PKR for a few thrilling rounds on the lake, it turned out to be one of the most exhilarating experiences.
As I finished the ride, the group gathered for a hike to the viewpoint of Attabad. The steep ascent through the rocky terrain for an hour was a demanding activity until we reached the top.
“What a stunning view!” I couldn’t contain my excitement, going gaga over the breathtaking panorama before me. These, honestly, were the best moments of the day.
Night View At Attabad Viewpoint:
As the sun gradually descended, its fading rays cast a darkening spell, rendering the atmosphere even more enchanting. Eventually, it was completely dark, and all that remained visible was the moon’s dancing reflection in the whirling waves of the lake. The tranquility of the place deepened and it felt like the moonlit water of the lake was weaving a lullaby for us.
After spending plenty of time, we descended from the height and began our search for a cozy retreat. Guided by the locals, we stopped by Luxus Hunza Attabad Lake Resort and decided to book a standard double room at a cost of 22,300 PKR. The rooms of this luxurious resort nestled on the bank of Attabad Lake opened up to an all-encompassing view of the lake and the surrounding mountains, creating a majestic view. It was a truly spectacular sight that left us in awe of the natural beauty surrounding us in this part of the world.
End of the Journey:
As the morning sun began to paint the sky with hues of warmth, the blue waters of Attabad Lake awakened with a gentle embrace, too. I stepped out onto the balcony with a steaming cup of chai in my hand and absorbed the serene surroundings of the charming place. At that moment, the world felt still, and I found solace in the simple yet profound beauty that surrounded me.
From the intriguing tale of its creation after a tragic landslide to the vibrant hues of its waters under the moonlit sky, the journey to Attabad Lake had turned out to be a soul-stirring odyssey.
After a good breakfast, we bid adieu to the lake. Geared up for yet another fascinating journey of exploration, we set forth into the next chapter of adventure, towards the Hussaini Suspension Bridge and Borith Lake. Delve into the next blog to read about that exhilarating journey!