June 2026 · 7 min · By Zain Karim
Naltar Valley: Pakistan's Coloured Lakes and Pine Forest
Two hours from Gilgit and worlds away, pine forest, coloured lakes and the country's only proper ski lift. An easy side trip done well.
Naltar valley pakistan sits two hours north of Gilgit and is the easiest 'add a day' side trip on any Karakoram itinerary. Pine forest, a chain of glacier-fed lakes that shift from turquoise to deep green with the season, and Pakistan's only proper ski lift. It rewards both summer day-trippers and serious winter skiers, which is an unusual combination in this part of the world.
Where Naltar sits
Naltar is a side valley off the main Karakoram Highway, accessed via a rough 4WD road from Nomal (45 minutes north of Gilgit). The valley climbs from 2,800 m at lower Naltar to 3,500 m at the lakes, ringed by 5,000-6,000 m peaks. Pakistan Air Force maintains a small base and the ski school here, which keeps the road in better condition than it would otherwise be.
What to do
- Drive up from Gilgit (3 hours total with stops).
- Lunch at one of the small Naltar Bala restaurants, trout, dhal, parathas.
- Continue by 4WD to the lakes turn-off; the road becomes properly rough here.
- Walk between the lakes, a 2-hour loop.
- Return to Gilgit by sunset, or overnight in Naltar Bala.
The coloured lakes
Four small alpine lakes, Bashkiri, Pari, Begas and Hilal, sit in a chain at around 3,400 m above Naltar village. The colours shift with sediment, time of day and season. Mid-summer (July-August) gives the most intense turquoise; September turns them deeper. Trout fishing is permitted with a local license; we arrange.
Skiing in winter
Naltar is home to the Pakistan Air Force Ski School and the country's only chairlift, modest by Alpine standards, real by Karakoram standards. The season runs roughly December to mid-March. Snow is excellent, lifts are short, lift tickets are negligible (USD 5-10 a day at time of writing), and the whole place runs on the relaxed standards of a regional ski hill rather than an international resort. Equipment rental is basic; bring your own if you ski seriously.
When to go
- June-September: summer access, hiking, lakes, pine forest.
- October: autumn colour in lower Naltar, lakes already cold.
- December-mid-March: ski season.
- April-May: a difficult shoulder, snow melting, road poor.
Where to stay
Naltar Bala has a handful of basic guesthouses, Snow Land, Naltar Inn, PTDC. None luxurious, all functional. Most of our clients day-trip from Gilgit (where they're staying en route to or from Hunza) rather than overnight. For ski clients, overnighting in Naltar Bala makes sense to maximise lift time.
Practical notes
- Vehicle: 4WD essential from Nomal up. Standard Hiace cannot make it past Naltar Bala.
- Altitude: 2,800-3,500 m. Gentle on most travellers.
- Permits: none required.
- Connectivity: SCOM signal patchy; assume offline.
- Combine: easiest as a Gilgit overnight day-trip going up or down between Hunza and Islamabad.
Q. Can I visit Naltar in a single day from Gilgit?
Yes, and most clients do. Leave Gilgit at 8am, lunch in Naltar Bala, lakes by early afternoon, back in Gilgit for dinner. The drive each way is 2-3 hours with a 4WD.
Q. Is the road to Naltar bad?
Rough but routine. From Nomal turn-off to Naltar Bala is unpaved 4WD road; from Naltar Bala to the lakes is rougher again. Sedan cars cannot make it; we use Land Cruisers or sturdy 4WD pickups.
Q. How does the skiing compare to alpine resorts?
It doesn't, by lift count or terrain network. It compares well by snow quality, price, and atmosphere. The Naltar Cup in February is a national event and a fun week to visit.
Q. Can I see the lakes in winter?
Frozen and snow-covered; the road is closed to the lakes themselves December to April. The valley below the lakes is the focus of winter trips.
Q. Is Naltar worth a detour from a Hunza trip?
If you have a spare day in Gilgit, yes. If your itinerary is tight, no, Hunza and Skardu carry more weight per day of trip time. Naltar is the bonus, not the headline.
Written by
Zain Karim
Head of mountain operations
Zain has run private trips through Hunza, Skardu and the Karakoram since 2019. He spends about 120 nights a year above 2,500 m and writes about the routes he guides.
Has guided the Hunza-Skardu loop more than forty times.
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