Attabad Lake

Attabad Lake, also known as Gojal Lake, is located in Gojal valley in Gilgit Baltistan at the distance of 122 km from Gilgit main city on the Karakoram Highway. It was created accidentally in January 2010 by a massive landslide in Attabad village.

History of Lake Formation

The formation of lake in 2010 is an accident due to heavy massive landslide near Attabad village, when a complete mountain rolled in front of the Hunza River and blocked its water completely. Due to heavy landslide blockage, it becomes difficult to clear the blockage by natural as well as by human intervention. That blockage has fixed and resulted into a formation of large size water storage in the form of Attabad Lake. Due to that accident, the old Karakoram Highway became inaccessible for few years, until the construction of tunnels to cross that area to access Sost dry port and Khunjerab Pass to access Pak-China Border. Before the construction of new road setup, boats were used to access the other region of the Upper Hunza Valley. All of transportations were performed by using boats. The newly constructed 24km portion of Karakoram Highway including 7km long five tunnels is a world-class masterpiece in the mountain crossing treks.

Accessing Attabad Lake

After leaving the Hunza Valley, one needs to cross five massive tunnels, known as Pak-China Friendship tunnels, over the KKH along the 7 km distance while driving toward Attabad Lake. As you have crossed the final tunnel, the immense turquoise basin of Attabad Lake will be in front of you. Everywhere, you see only mirror like waters of lake reflecting the shadows of surrounding mountains.

Water Sports at Attabad Lake

Attabad Lake is a perfect point for jet skiing, boating, and lakeside open-air dinner. Boating charge is 500 rupee per person, whereas 3,000 rupee is charged for jet skiing. On the lakeside, luxurious resorts are available where tourists can enjoy the wider look of the lake in the balconies with fresh and pleasant cool wind. Booking of these resorts becomes difficult in the top season from July to August, so one must perform prior booking before coming there.

Beauty of Attabad Lake

The Hunza River and the surrounding glacial meltwater streams are the main source of its water. The fine rock minerals creates intense neon teal-blue color effect over the surface of water when light touches it.

Due to huge water storage, it makes the flow of water much slow and creates a glass reflection effect as a quiet and crystal clear surface like mirror. In the autumn season, the reflection of golden trees create more fantastic effect on the surface of lake. Its bluish-green water surrounded by brown color hills is very attractive and splendid. Due to that, thousands of tourists have visited the lake every year.

In winter season, due to heavy snow and freezing temperature, a solid layer of ice is created on its surface. Then, visitors can enjoy ice skating over the frozen surface and other winter sports. In the evening, they enjoy the warm bonfires in the lakeside resorts and huts.

To discover the incredible jagged and wider skyline, after wrapping up boat cruise on the lake, explore out guidelines of Passu Cones Travel Guide.

About Gojal Upper Hunza

Gojal is the largest city in Baltistan next to Hunza, having a border with China and Afghanistan. It connects with China through the Khunjerab Pass and with Afghanistan through the Chapursan Valley. Gojal, also known as Upper Hunza, is the highest mountains area in the Karakoram and Pamir mountain ranges, at an average elevation of 4,000 meters.