Skardu, a beautiful region in northern Pakistan, is a hidden gem for adventure lovers and nature enthusiasts. It has many awe-inspiring places that are worth exploring for everyone. One of the most captivating destinations in Skardu is the twin lakes of Kachura village, Upper and Lower Kachura Lakes. The two lakes are 3.4 kilometers away from each other and a 30-minute drive away from main Skardu city.
With mesmerizing crystal clear waters surrounded by alpine trees and rich flora, these lakes are a paradise for nature lovers. Tourists from all over the world arrive to explore the beautiful serene lakes of Kachura.
In this travel blog, I will share my unforgettable journey with my friends while on Pakistan tour, to these beautiful lakes of Kachura.
Adventure to Kachura Village
Our adventure tour of Pakistan continued after visiting Basho Valley, as we headed to Kachura, a village in Skardu. It is 19.5 km from the Basho Valley, and we reached in 40 minutes in a rented car. We were ready to explore the enchanting Upper and Lower Kachura Lakes, in this breathtaking region.
Lower Kachura Lake
Lower Kachura Lake, the heart-shaped lake also called Shangrila Lake, is nestled in an aesthetically beautiful hotel called Shangri-la Resort. The lake has an altitude of 2,500 meters (8,200 feet).
After covering 3.4 km in a 15-minute drive comes the twin lake of Shangrila Lake, Upper Kachura Lake. As compared, it is less explored by tourists because of the rough terrain. But the hidden gem offers stunning views in a serene atmosphere for those who travel all the way to explore it.
Both lakes have mesmerizing natural beauty with majestic mountains, as they are nestled in the Karakoram Mountains ranges of the western Himalayas and the Indus River basin. Thus, the beauty of these jewels of Kachura is unparalleled.
Exploring the Shangrila Resort
Our journey led us to the famous Shangrila Resort. Its name is derived from the Tibetan language, where Shang means place, ri means mountains, and la means pass. It was coined after James Hilton, an English novelist’s book, ‘The Lost Horizon,’ which narrated a story about a similar paradise.
The entrance fee was Rs 1000 per person, and the resort timings were 9 to 7 pm. The place looked clean and convenient and had comfortable rooms for overnight stays. The resort with lush green forests is an ideal spot for our Kachura Lakes journey.
The walk inside the Shangrila resort made us feel like walking into a fantasy. The pathway with refreshing flora on the right side and the gleaming lake on the left side left us awe-struck. The lower Kachura lake, shaped like a heart, looked magical with crystal clear water and trout fishes inside. The surrounding mountains and pristine forest’s reflection in the water enhanced the charm of the place.
It was undoubtedly a breathtaking destination, perfect for spending a serene time and capturing the best pictures.
Shangrila Lake not only offers scenic beauty but also thrilling activities. We went for a boat ride and explored the flawless beauty of this lake. Later, we had lunch at the iconic restaurant of Shangri-La Resort.
After admiring the trout in the lake’s deep blue water, soaking in the serenity, we decided to move to our next destination. To explore yet another hidden gem.
Expedition towards Upper Kachura
For the 15-minute drive to the Upper Kachura, we hired a 4×4. The journey was full of bumps, jumps, and twists, but the views were amazing. We reached a village, and covered the next path on foot. Thus, we brought our reliable boots because of the trek to the lake.
We walked through the village and took a pause at the apricot orchards since we couldn’t resist tasting them. The sweet fruit was a great start for this venture.
Next, we trekked to the lake. With the Himalayan Alpine Conifer Forest around, the path and its wilderness have captivated us already. It is best recommended to travel here in September when the autumn season hits and turns all the leaves red with hues of yellow.
First Look of Upper Kachura Lake
It felt a little chilly here since the weather is relatively low, around 10-20 Celsius. And in winter, the lake gets completely frozen. After an uphill hike of 30 minutes, we finally reached the Upper Kachura lake.
A paradise on Earth, this was our instant reaction when we saw this place. The hidden gem, the unexplored Upper Kachura Lake, what a heavenly place!
A picturesque place with majestic Himalayas mountains in the surroundings. The lake has a depth of 70 meters (230 ft). This place was less crowded and therefore felt more peaceful. The preserved beauty of Skardu, the lake, transcends us to serenity.
Kayaking at Upper Kachura Lake was an experience that we didn’t want to miss. We rented a kayak to get closer to the lake’s center. It felt more dreamy as we paddled through the majestic lake, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and fishes in the transparent water. Our photographer in the group made sure to click the heavenly surroundings of this paradise. We couldn’t have asked for a more surreal experience.
End of the Journey
After witnessing the sunset at Upper Kachura Lake, we headed back to the Shangri-La resort for the night stay. This journey of the day had revived us completely with refreshing natural beauty. For an adventurer who loves nature, these two lakes are a must-visit.
So, I would suggest everyone to go and explore the untampered natural beauty of Upper and Lower Kachura Lakes, Skardu, Pakistan.
While for us, our next stop was Soq Valley!