A catastrophe that created one of Pakistan's most beautiful lakes. 21km of electric turquoise water, about 20–25km from Karimabad.
On 4 January 2010, a massive landslide at Attabad village sent millions of tons of rock into the Hunza River, burying the village and blocking the river entirely. Over the following months, the water backed up behind the natural dam, submerging 20km of the Karakoram Highway and displacing 6,000 people.
What emerged was a 21km-long lake of extraordinary turquoise colour — the colour caused by glacial silt refracting light in the shallow, clear water. The Pakistani government eventually bored five tunnels through the mountains to restore the KKH, which now runs through the rock beside the lake.
| Boat trips | Local operators run boat rides along the lake. Rs.500–800 per person (30 min) or Rs.3,000–5,000 for full private boat hire. Negotiate at the lakeside. |
| Camping | Camping on the lakeshore is possible with a tent. No official campsite — ask locals for permission. Stunning sunrise over the mountains. |
| Photography | Morning light (6–9am) gives the most vivid turquoise colour before haze builds. Shoot from the road above for full lake perspective. |
| Swimming | Technically possible but water is extremely cold (glacier-fed). Most people don't attempt it. |
| Food & chai | Small tea stalls on the lakeshore. Basic snacks. Bring your own food for anything substantial. |
Attabad sits about 20–25km from Karimabad along the Karakoram Highway (roughly 0.5–1h), and the drive is half the experience — the KKH now threads through a series of tunnels bored into the mountains after the 2010 landslide submerged the old road. The lake reveals itself suddenly as you come out of the rock, and you genuinely cannot miss it from the highway. A shared Suzuki from Aliabad bazaar is the cheap way up, while hiring a jeep gives you the freedom to stop for photographs along the way.
Many people fold Attabad into a day trip from Karimabad, sometimes combined with a continued run north toward Passu and the Hussaini suspension bridge. If you have the time, lingering rather than rushing back rewards you with the changing light on the water through the day.
Come early if photography matters to you. The turquoise colour is most vivid in the morning light, roughly between 6 and 9am, before haze builds over the valley, and shooting from the road above gives the fullest perspective on the lake. Boat operators gather at the lakeside, so agree a price before you step aboard — short rides and full private hire are both available, and a little negotiation is expected.
Facilities are minimal: a few tea stalls serve chai and basic snacks, but bring your own food for anything more substantial. The water is glacier-fed and extremely cold, so few people swim. Camping on the shore is possible with your own tent, though there is no official site — ask locals before pitching, and you will be rewarded with a remarkable sunrise.
It is about 20–25km from Karimabad along the KKH, roughly a 0.5–1h drive. A shared Suzuki from Aliabad bazaar costs around Rs.100–200, or a jeep is roughly Rs.3,000–5,000 return. The lake is visible from the road.
Local operators charge around Rs.500–800 per person for a short (about 30-minute) ride, or Rs.3,000–5,000 for full private boat hire. Negotiate at the lakeside.
A massive landslide at Attabad village on 4 January 2010 blocked the Hunza River. Water backed up behind the natural dam, forming the 21km-long turquoise lake and submerging part of the old Karakoram Highway.
It is technically possible, but the water is glacier-fed and extremely cold, so most people do not attempt it.
Morning, roughly 6–9am, gives the most vivid turquoise colour before haze builds. Shooting from the road above captures the full lake.
Yes, camping on the lakeshore is possible with your own tent. There is no official campsite, so ask locals for permission. The sunrise over the mountains is stunning.