Pakistan’s terrain shifts quickly from coastal plains to the towering Karakoram and Hindu Kush, and its lakes reflect that variety—hidden high-altitude basins, glacier-fed mirrors, and lowland reservoirs each play a role in local ecology and culture. Many are visited by trekkers, birdwatchers, or local communities relying on seasonal resources.
There are 32 Lakes in Pakistan, ranging from Ansoo Lake to Upper Kachura Lake. For each one I’ve organized the data as Region,Coordinates (lat, lon),Notable (max 15 words), which you’ll find below.
How are these lakes distributed across Pakistan’s regions?
Most are concentrated in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where high mountains and glaciers create numerous alpine lakes; Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan host fewer but ecologically important lowland and coastal lakes, so distribution follows elevation and catchment patterns rather than political boundaries.
What should I know before visiting high-altitude lakes in Pakistan?
Plan for altitude and weather changes, check permit and access rules for sensitive areas, hire a local guide when needed, carry warm, layered clothing and basic first-aid, and follow leave-no-trace practices to protect fragile lake environments.
Lakes in Pakistan
| Name | Region | Coordinates (lat, lon) | Notable (max 15 words) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saif-ul-Malook | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 34.88,73.66 | Alpine lake, 3,224 m elevation, Naran access, best summer |
| Ansoo Lake | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 34.85,73.68 | Tear-shaped lake, 4,245 m, strenuous trek from Saif-ul-Malook |
| Lulusar Lake | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 35.02,73.52 | Source of Kunhar River, scenic, near Naran, summer access |
| Dudipatsar Lake | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 35.02,73.56 | Turquoise glacial lake, 3,800 m, requires multi-day trek |
| Mahodand Lake | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 35.20,72.60 | Kalam valley lake, boating, trout fishing, summer access |
| Kundol Lake | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 35.02,72.60 | Glacial lake near Kalam, trekking needed, alpine scenery |
| Khanpur Reservoir | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 33.70,73.60 | Popular water-sports reservoir near Islamabad, boating and cliff viewpoints |
| Tarbela Reservoir | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 34.08,72.72 | Large Indus reservoir, hydroelectric dam, fishing and shore views |
| Attabad Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 36.34,74.88 | Landslide-created reservoir, boat tours, Hunza Valley, year-round access |
| Borith Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 36.43,74.87 | Wetland near Passu, migratory birds, base for treks |
| Shangrila Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 35.26,75.63 | Lower Kachura, resort lake in Skardu, boating, easy access |
| Upper Kachura Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 35.31,75.61 | Clear alpine lake, quieter than Shangrila, hiking access |
| Sheosar Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 35.03,75.41 | Deosai Plateau lake, 4,142 m elevation, vast plateau views |
| Rush Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 36.30,74.68 | Among highest alpine lakes, 4,694 m, challenging trek |
| Phander Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 36.78,72.54 | Broad turquoise lake in Ghizer, road access seasonally |
| Kharfaq Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 35.15,75.42 | High-altitude trout lake near Kharfaq village, trekking access |
| Satrangi Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 36.25,74.24 | Colorful alpine lake in Naltar valley, popular for photography |
| Satpara Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 35.34,75.64 | Natural lake and reservoir near Skardu, trout, boating available |
| Manchar Lake | Sindh | 27.03,67.73 | Pakistan’s largest freshwater lake, rich birdlife, fisheries, seasonal extent |
| Keenjhar Lake | Sindh | 24.65,67.92 | Also called Kalri Lake, popular near Thatta, boating, migratory birds |
| Haleji Lake | Sindh | 24.80,67.93 | Important bird sanctuary near Thatta, reedbeds and migratory waterfowl |
| Hub Dam Lake | Sindh | 25.07,66.99 | Major reservoir supplying Karachi, boating, fishing, popular weekend spot |
| Rawal Lake | Islamabad Capital Territory | 33.65,73.12 | Reservoir serving Islamabad, boating, parklands, easy city access |
| Mangla Reservoir | Azad Jammu & Kashmir | 33.07,73.54 | Major Jhelum reservoir near Mirpur, boating, island views, year-round |
| Ratti Gali Lake | Azad Jammu & Kashmir | 34.14,74.45 | Alpine lake in Neelum Valley, flower meadows, summer trek |
| Chitta Katha Lake | Azad Jammu & Kashmir | 34.35,74.57 | High-altitude lake near Shounter, multi-day trek required |
| Banjosa Lake | Azad Jammu & Kashmir | 33.87,73.74 | Artificial pine-surrounded lake near Rawalakot, picnic spot, easy access |
| Namal Lake | Punjab | 32.92,71.91 | Namal valley reservoir near Mianwali, migratory birds and reedbeds |
| Kallar Kahar Lake | Punjab | 32.79,72.70 | Historic lake near Kallar Kahar, boating, popular roadside stop |
| Katora Lake (Kumrat) | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 35.29,72.96 | Cirque lake in Kumrat Valley, steep trek, summer wildflowers |
| Chashma Lake | Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 32.27,71.41 | Reservoir on the Indus, fishing and migratory birds, near barrage |
| Katpana Lake | Gilgit-Baltistan | 35.27,75.59 | Small high-altitude lake near Skardu cold desert, seasonal, photographic sunsets |
Images and Descriptions
Saif-ul-Malook
Sit in the Kaghan Valley near Naran as a famed alpine lake. Form by glacial melt and sit below Malika Parbat. Attract visitors for its clear water and mountain views. Reach by road to Naran then a short jeep ride and walk during summer.
Ansoo Lake
Perch high in the Kaghan Himalaya with a teardrop shape. Form as a glacial cirque lake near Malika Parbat. Require a tough day trek from lake towns. Include as a top high‑altitude lake for trekkers.
Lulusar Lake
Lie on the Lulusar‑Saral range and feed the Kunhar River. Present as a broad alpine lake accessible by road from Kaghan in summer. Offer wide views and serve as a gateway to Dudipatsar area.
Dudipatsar Lake
Rest in a high national park as a deep glacial lake framed by peaks. Require multi‑day trekking from Kaghan. Hold clear blue water and seasonal wildflowers. Include for its protected status and scenic value.
Mahodand Lake
Sit in the upper Ushu Valley of Swat as a wide, alpine lake. Reach by jeep from Kalam on a rough road. Offer fishing and boating in summer and meadows around the shore.
Kundol Lake
Lie above Kalam in Swat as a small, glacial alpine lake. Require a moderate hike from the valley. Display turquoise water and alpine pastures. Include as a popular short trek destination.
Khanpur Reservoir
Serve as a large man‑made reservoir near Islamabad and Haripur. Provide water supply and water sports like boating and jet skiing. Offer easy road access and popular weekend recreation.
Tarbela Reservoir
Form behind Tarbela Dam on the Indus River as one of Pakistan’s largest reservoirs. Supply hydroelectric power and irrigation. Sit across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab and have major transport and access routes.
Attabad Lake
Form in Hunza after a 2010 landslide and now show deep blue water. Sit along the Karakoram Highway and attract tourists for boat rides and cliff views. Include as a recent, dramatic artificial lake.
Borith Lake
Lie near Gulmit and Passu in upper Hunza as a small highland lake. Attract birdlife and migratory species. Reach by jeep and short walks from nearby villages.
Shangrila Lake
Sit beside the Shangrila Resort at Lower Kachura near Skardu. Present as a manicured lake in a tourist area with easy access. Offer boating, gardens, and views of surrounding peaks.
Upper Kachura Lake
Rest near Skardu as a quiet, clear alpine lake fed by glaciers. Remain less developed than Shangrila and attract anglers and campers. Access by a mountain road and short trek.
Sheosar Lake
Lie on the Deosai Plains as a high plateau lake set in a broad, flat meadow. Appear only in summer when snow melts and host tundra flowers. Include for its high elevation and open views.
Rush Lake
Sit among high peaks near Nagar as one of the highest large alpine lakes. Require long treks from nearby valleys. Show vast mirror surfaces and panoramic mountain vistas.
Phander Lake
Rest in Ghizer Valley as a calm, emerald lake in a tree‑lined basin. Reach by road from Gilgit and enjoy fishing and riverside walks. Include as an accessible, scenic valley lake.
Kharfaq Lake
Sit above Kharfaq village near Skardu as a high glacial lake. Require trekking from Skardu side. Contain cold clear water and lie near alpine grazing lands.
Satrangi Lake
Present as a small, colorful lake in northern areas known for changing water hues. Sit in remote mountain terrain and attract photographers. Include for its visual appeal and alpine setting.
Satpara Lake
Act as a freshwater lake near Skardu that also supplies water via a small dam. Offer boating and shoreline views with easy local access. Include for its local utility and tourist use.
Manchar Lake
Stand as Pakistan’s largest natural freshwater lake near Sehwan in Sindh. Support fishing communities and birdlife and change with seasonal flow. Reach by road from local towns and host migratory birds.
Keenjhar Lake
Serve as a large freshwater lake near Thatta in Sindh, also called Kalri. Provide drinking water and recreation. Host boating, picnics, and winter birds. Include as a major lowland lake.
Haleji Lake
Function as a man‑made sanctuary in Thatta district created for water supply and birds. Support large numbers of migratory waterfowl. Offer simple road access and birdwatching opportunities.
Hub Dam Lake
Form behind Hub Dam on the Sindh–Balochistan border as a key water reservoir for Karachi. Support fisheries and local recreation. Appear as a wide water body with accessible roads.
Rawal Lake
Serve as a small reservoir near Islamabad for water supply and parks. Offer easy access, picnic spots, and walking trails. Include for its proximity to the capital and urban visitors.
Mangla Reservoir
Form behind Mangla Dam on the Jhelum River as a major man‑made lake. Provide hydroelectric power, irrigation, and boating. Lie near Mirpur and have good road access.
Ratti Gali Lake
Rest in Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir, as a high alpine glacial lake in a flower‑filled basin. Require trekking from nearby villages. Include as a classic high‑altitude trekking lake.
Chitta Katha Lake
Perch in Neelum Valley at high altitude and form a bowl‑shaped glacial lake. Require multi‑day treks through alpine meadows. Offer clear water and remote mountain scenes.
Banjosa Lake
Lie near Rawalakot in Poonch as a man‑made lake surrounded by pine forests. Offer boating and easy access from the town. Include as a popular hill station picnic spot.
Namal Lake
Form near Mianwali as a seasonal to semi‑permanent lake fed by rains and local streams. Support local agriculture and birdlife. Reach by road and serve nearby villages.
Kallar Kahar Lake
Sit in Punjab’s Salt Range as a small natural lake near Kallar Kahar town. Attract visitors for boating and roadside views on the motorway. Include as an accessible Punjab lake.
Katora Lake (Kumrat)
Nest in the Kumrat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a bowl‑shaped alpine lake. Require a trek through green valleys and forests. Feature clear water and steep mountain walls.
Chashma Lake
Form near Chashma Barrage on the Indus River as a backwater and fishing area. Support local fisheries and birdlife. Provide road access from nearby towns.
Katpana Lake
Appear as shallow seasonal lakes and ponds near the Katpana cold desert outside Skardu. Form in the plateau depressions and freeze in winter. Include for their unique cold‑desert setting.
