Naltar Valley
Forested Alpine Valley North Of Gilgit, With Coloured Lakes And A Ski Area Run By The Pakistan Air Force · Naltar, Gilgit-Baltistan
Naltar is a high side valley north of Gilgit, reached by a steep jeep track from Nomal on the Karakoram Highway, and it is one of the prettiest places in the Gilgit region: pine and spruce forest, meadows full of flowers in summer, and a chain of small lakes whose water changes colour with the light and the depth, from deep blue to green to turquoise. The best known is Satrangi, the rainbow lake, followed by the Blue Lake and Bashkiri Lake higher up. In winter Naltar is Pakistan's oldest ski area, run by the Pakistan Air Force, which hosts national and occasional international competitions on its slopes, and the valley is one of the few places in the country where people ski at all. Naltar Bala, the upper village, has simple guesthouses and campsites. The track up is rough enough that most visitors hire a local jeep from Nomal or Gilgit. It is a manageable trip from Gilgit or Hunza, and in summer it is busy with domestic tourists who come for the lakes. Go early in the day, before the jeeps arrive.
Naltar Valley, above Nomal, Gilgit District, Naltar, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
The valley is inhabited year round. The lakes are reachable roughly May to October; in winter the upper valley is snowbound except for the ski area. Jeeps run from Nomal or Gilgit on a rough track, about two hours up. A small local fee may be charged. The ski area operates in winter under the Pakistan Air Force; confirm access.