Satpara lake

Quick facts

• Height above sea level: 8,650 ft (about 2,640 m)
• Nearest city: Skardu — About 8–9 km (about 20 minutes by road)
• Summer (Jun–Aug): 10°C to 26°C
• Winter (Dec–Feb): -12°C to 2°C (lake often freezes)

Famous for: A turquoise high-altitude lake south of Skardu, enlarged by the Satpara Dam, which supplies Skardu's water and power; it lies on the road to the Deosai Plains.

Satpara Lake is a breathtaking glacial lake situated just south of Skardu city in Gilgit-Baltistan. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 2,600 meters (8,500 feet), the lake is fed by the melting snows of the Deosai Plains. Its deep blue-turquoise waters, surrounded by dramatic barren Karakoram mountains, feature a picturesque small island at its center. In addition to being a major tourist attraction popular for boating, trout fishing, and lakeside relaxation, Satpara Lake serves as a vital natural reservoir and primary source of fresh water and hydroelectric power for the entire Skardu Valley.