A quiet alpine lake near Passu, in the shadow of the 57km Batura Glacier. Almost nobody comes here. That is precisely the point.
Borith Lake is a small alpine lake near Passu in Upper Hunza, backed by the Batura Glacier — one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions at 57km. The lake itself is calm and shallow, a brilliant green-blue on clear mornings, reflecting the moraine walls of the glacier to the north.
Unlike Attabad Lake, Borith gets very few visitors and has almost no tourist infrastructure. There are flat camping areas along the shore and a small, basic chai stall that operates in summer. The silence here is striking — most people pass straight through Passu without knowing the lake exists.
| Distance | 2km walk from Passu village. Follow the flat gravel path north toward the glacier. |
| From Karimabad | 105km (3h drive) to Passu. Then 2km walk to lake. Best combined with Passu Cones visit. |
| Camping | Free. No facilities. Bring everything. The flat grassy area near the north shore is best. Cold nights even in July — sleeping bag rated to 0°C minimum. |
| Wildlife | Good birdwatching. Brahminy ducks, bar-headed geese, golden eagles visible. No large predators in this area. |
| Glacier approach | The Batura Glacier snout is a 45-minute walk beyond the lake. Do not walk on the glacier without a local guide — hidden crevasses. |
Borith's appeal is its stillness. The lake is shallow and calm, turning a brilliant green-blue on clear mornings as it mirrors the moraine walls of the Batura Glacier to the north. At 57km, the Batura is one of the longest glaciers outside the polar regions, and its snout sits within walking distance of the shore — though crossing onto the ice itself should only be done with a local guide because of hidden crevasses.
The lake is also a quiet draw for birdwatchers. Brahminy ducks, bar-headed geese, and golden eagles are all seen here, and the lack of crowds means wildlife is undisturbed. Most travellers pass straight through Passu without ever learning the lake exists, which is exactly why those who make the short walk find it so peaceful.
| Bring everything | There are no facilities at the lake beyond a basic seasonal chai stall. Carry your own food, water, and gear. |
| Pack for cold | Nights are cold even in July. Use a sleeping bag rated to at least 0°C if you intend to camp. |
| Combine with Passu | The lake is a 2km walk from Passu village and pairs naturally with a visit to the Passu Cones. |
| Guide for the glacier | Do not walk onto the Batura Glacier alone. Hire a local guide, as hidden crevasses make it dangerous. |
Borith Lake is a small alpine lake near Passu in Upper Hunza, backed by the Batura Glacier. It is a 2km walk from Passu village along a flat gravel path heading north toward the glacier.
It is about 105km (roughly a 3-hour drive) from Karimabad to Passu along the Karakoram Highway, then a 2km walk to the lake. It is best combined with a visit to the Passu Cones.
Yes, camping is free, but there are no facilities, so bring everything you need. The flat grassy area near the north shore is best, and you should pack a sleeping bag rated to at least 0°C as nights are cold even in July.
Borith is good for birdwatching, with Brahminy ducks, bar-headed geese, and golden eagles regularly seen. There are no large predators in the area.
The glacier snout is about a 45-minute walk beyond the lake, but you should not walk on the glacier itself without a local guide, as there are hidden crevasses.