8 Amazing Lakes in Pakistan

Pakistan has some of the most beautiful artificial and natural lakes in the world. Lake Manchar in Pakistan is the biggest South Asian Lake and occupies an area of about 100 sq miles. The country also hosts some of the world's highest lakes such as Rush Lake, the 25th highest lake in the world. Many spectacular glacial lakes are also present in the country. Chitral, the northernmost district in Pakistan has more than 137 glacial lakes. Some of the most amazing lakes in Pakistan include:

8. Khanpur Lake

Khanpur Lake is a reservoir which is in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The artificial lake was formed by the Khanpur Dam, and it supplies irrigation water to numerous industrial and agricultural areas. Khanpur Lake is the source of drinking water in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The lake is about 25 miles from Islamabad, in Hazara division. It was constructed in 1983 together with the Khanpur Dam. The 167 ft high dam has a total capacity of about 110,000 acre feet. The lake receives water from River Haro. There is an island in the middle of the lake which is ideal for picnics.

7. Siri Lake

Siri Lake is one of the highest lakes in Pakistan and is about 8,500 ft above the sea level in Kaghan Valley. The lake resembles a pond, and on its own is not too spectacular. However, the surrounding mountains and green forests make the entire landscape beautiful. Tourists can only access lake Siri though Kiwai.

6. Attabad Lake

Attabad Lake also referred to as Lake Gojal is known for its mountain backdrop and unique blue color. The Lake is in Gojal Valley, and it was formed by a landslide dam in January 2010. Attabad Lake is the biggest lake in Gilgit-Baltistan, and it occupies an area of about 5.2 sq miles. It reached a depth of approximately 330 ft and length of roughly 13 miles on the first week after the landslide started to flow over the dam, partially flooding Gulmit and submerging lower Shishkat. Currently, the lake is about 358 ft deep. The landslide displaced numerous communities in the area including the Domaki-speaking people who used to live at the place where the lake is currently situated.

5. Kachura Lake

Lake Kachura is made up of two lakes that are in the district of Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan. These lakes (Lower Kachura Lake and Upper Kachura Lake) are at an elevation of about 8,200 ft. Upper Kachura Lake has clear water and a depth of approximately 230 ft. The lake freezes in winter, and its temperature is about 15°C in summer. Due to its rough terrain, travelers rarely explore the upper Kachura Lake. Lower Kachura Lake is in Kachura village which is near Skardu city, and it is also referred to as Shangrila Lake after the resort which was constructed on its banks back in 1983.

4. Saiful Malook Lake

Saiful Muluk is the source of river Kunhar, which is situated in the northern parts of the Kaghan Valley near Naran town. Saiful Muluk is one of the highest Pakistani lakes and sits at an elevation of about 10,578 ft. It has a depth of about 50 ft and occupies an area of about 1.06 sq miles. It was created by a glacial moraine which blocked the water of a stream which was flowing through Kaghan Valley. The valley was formed during the last Pleistocene era which dates back to over 300,000 years ago. The receding glaciers and rising temperatures left a depression in this area. Lake Saiful Muluk is named after a legendary Persian prince who met the love of his life Princess Badri-ul-Jamala on this lake. Muhammad Bakhsh wrote the fairy tale titled Saif-ul-Muluk.

3. Mahodand Lake

Mahodand Lake is in the upper parts of Usho Valley which is about 25 miles from Kalam, in the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The lake lies on the foothill of the Hindu Kush at an altitude of about 9,400 ft above the sea level. The lake has a width of about 0.75 miles and length of 1.2 miles. It is surrounded by dense forests, mountains, and meadows. Mahodand Lake is fed by the springs and melting glaciers of the Hindu Kush. Ushu Khwar, one of the primary branches of River Swat originates from Mahodand Lake.The lake freezes during the winter season while in summer it is surrounded by alpine flowers like gentian, potentilla, blue poppy and geum. The lake is surrounded by numerous pinus species which hosts some wild birds. The lake’s water is split into a series of large and small streams which were previously swarmed by rainbow and brown trout. Overfishing by the locals and use of illegal fishing methods like large nets, dynamiting and electrocution reduced the number of fishes in Lake Mahodand.

2. Lake Passu

Lake Passu is a glacial lake which is in southern parts of Passu village in Gilgit Baltistan. Passu is one of the most popular tourist’s attractions in the country, and it is known for its sweeping landscapes, Passu cones, Passu glacier, and Passu Sar Mountain. One of the first attractions you will see while in Passu is Lake Passu which is 8,399 ft above the sea level. Lake Passu is situated at the end of the 11 miles long Passu glacial which flows from Passu Sar and Shispare Sar mountains.

1. Lake Saif Ul Muluk

Saiful Muluk is the source of river Kunhar, which is situated in the northern parts of the Kaghan Valley near Naran town. Saiful Muluk is one of the highest Pakistani lakes which is at an elevation of about 10,578 ft. It has a depth of about 50 ft and occupies an area of about 1.06 sq miles. It was created by a glacial moraine which blocked the water of a stream which was flowing through Kaghan Valley. The valley was formed during the last Pleistocene era which dates back to over 300,000 years ago. The receding glaciers and rising temperatures left a depression in this area. Lake Saiful Muluk is named after a legendary Persian prince who met the love of his life Princess Badri-ul-Jamala on this lake. Muhammad Bakhsh wrote the fairy tale titled Saif-ul-Muluk.