Three lakes of different colours, Pakistan's only functioning ski resort, dense alpine pine forests — and just 40km from Gilgit city.
Lakes, ski slopes, forests — tap markers for details
Naltar Valley is 40km north of Gilgit city — close enough for a long day trip, compelling enough to deserve two nights. The valley is dense with silver fir and blue pine at lower elevations, opening into alpine meadows above 3,000m where three connected lakes sit in a glacial bowl, each a different colour: deep blue, green-turquoise, and a smaller upper lake with a purple-blue tint depending on light and season.
The colour difference comes from varying depths, sediment composition, and the angle of surrounding cliffs. The lower lake is the most dramatic — deep blue with snow peaks reflected in the surface on calm mornings. Walk 30 minutes up from the lower lake to reach the green upper lake, then another 15 minutes to the third. Together the walk takes 2–3 hours from the village.
In winter (December–February), Naltar has Pakistan's only functioning ski resort — operated by the Pakistan Air Force. It's not Verbier, but it is a working ski area with mechanical lifts, equipment hire, and runs between 2,900–3,200m. International ski competitions have been held here. In summer the ski area becomes open mountain perfect for hiking.
| From Gilgit | Shared jeep to Nomal: PKR 150–250 (1h). Jeep from Nomal to Naltar: PKR 1,500–2,500 (1.5h, 4WD required). Private jeep Gilgit–Naltar return: PKR 6,000–10,000. Total journey ~2.5h from Gilgit. |
| Day trip feasibility | Yes — a long day trip from Gilgit is possible if you leave by 7am and return by 6pm. Gives you 4–5 hours in the valley including the lakes walk. Staying a night is better. |
| Road condition | Gilgit–Nomal: paved. Nomal–Naltar: unpaved mountain track, 4WD required. Road is impassable in heavy snow (December–March) and after major rains. |
| Winter access | The PAF maintains a cleared road to the ski resort in winter. Guests at PAF guesthouses are transported. Public jeeps operate if snow isn't heavy. Confirm locally before attempting in Dec–Feb. |
| Permits | No NOC required. Free entry to village and lake trail. PAF ski area: standard access fee during ski season (PKR 500–1,500 including use of slopes). |
| December – February | Ski season. 1–2m of snow. PAF ski lifts operational on weekends (and some weekdays). Equipment hire available. Coldest months — pack for -15°C nights. |
| March – April | Snowmelt. Road may be impassable. Upper lakes still frozen. Not recommended unless you have local knowledge and transport. |
| May – June | Valley opens. Upper lake may have ice into June. Forest is brilliant green. Very few visitors. Best photography light of the year. |
| July – August | Peak summer. All three lakes fully accessible. Ibex sightings more common at dawn. Some weekend visitors from Gilgit but never crowded. |
| September – October | Best month overall. Autumn colour on the forest, clear skies, empty trails. The lakes are at their stillest. Perfect conditions for photography. |
Naltar is one of the best accessible wildlife sites in Gilgit District. The key species:
| Himalayan Ibex | Rocky terrain above the upper lake. Best sighting time: early morning (6–8am) and late afternoon (4–6pm). Look for movement on cliff faces above the third lake. |
| Snow Leopard | Present in upper valley but rarely seen. Best chance in winter when prey moves to lower elevation. If you see fresh pugmarks in snow, report to local forest department. |
| Lammergeyer | The bearded vulture — one of the largest raptors in Asia — is regularly seen soaring above the valley. Watch for the rusty-orange underparts and diamond-shaped tail. |
| Koklass Pheasant | Common in the dense forest between Nomal and Naltar. Best heard early morning — the loud, crowing call carries far through the pines. |