Loading…
N 35°18′ · E 75°37′
25km from Skardu
Upper Kachura Lake
The lake that makes visitors stop talking. Crystal water, a mountain amphitheatre on three sides, and golden light at the end of the day that rewards anyone who stays for it.
About the Lake
Why Skardu built its most
famous resort here.
Upper Kachura Lake sits 25 kilometres west of Skardu city at an altitude of around 2,500 metres. It is fed by glacial meltwater from the surrounding Karakoram peaks, which gives it the distinctive clear blue-green colour that makes it one of the most photographed lakes in northern Pakistan.
The Shangrila Resort was established here in the 1980s and remains the most-visited single attraction in the Skardu region. Its most distinctive feature is a restaurant converted from the fuselage of a retired PIA aircraft, sitting at the water's edge with the lake and mountains as the backdrop. Whatever you think of the kitsch, the location it occupies is genuinely extraordinary.
Most visitors come for a few hours. The ones who time it right, arriving before the afternoon crowds and staying until golden hour, see something the photographs can't fully capture: the Karakoram peaks turning amber above the lake surface while the water goes from blue to copper. It is one of Skardu's defining moments and it costs nothing extra beyond the entry fee.
Practical Info
When to go
and what to know.
Getting there
45 minutes from Skardu city by private vehicle. All Raahi Skardu itineraries include Kachura Lake. No permit required. The road is paved and manageable in a standard car, though a 4x4 is more comfortable on the final section.
Best time of day
Early morning (7 to 10am) or late afternoon (3 to 6pm). Midday in peak season sees the most tourist traffic. Golden hour is the strongest photography window by a significant margin.
Lower Kachura Lake
Five minutes further by road. Less visited than Upper Kachura, no entry fee, and a different mood: quieter, more local, surrounded by poplars rather than resort infrastructure. Worth 30 minutes if you're already at Upper Kachura.
Season
April through October. The lake is technically year-round but the access road can be difficult in January and February after snowfall.
Common Questions
Before you go
answered honestly.
What is the Shangrila Resort at Upper Kachura Lake?
Shangrila Resort is a lakeside hotel on the shores of Upper Kachura Lake, one of Pakistan's most-visited mountain resorts. It was established in the 1980s. The resort's most distinctive feature is a restaurant housed inside the fuselage of a retired PIA aircraft, which sits at the water's edge. The resort offers accommodation, boating, and garden access. It books up quickly in peak season (June to August).
How far is Upper Kachura Lake from Skardu?
Approximately 25 kilometres west of Skardu city, about 40 to 45 minutes by road. The route passes through Skardu bazaar and out through the Skardu valley toward the Indus River. Raahi includes Upper Kachura Lake in all Skardu itineraries as either a morning or afternoon excursion.
Is there an entry fee for Kachura Lake?
Access to the Shangrila Resort area and lake viewpoint involves a nominal entry fee (approximately PKR 100 to 200 per person as of 2025). Boating on the lake costs PKR 500 to 1,000 per person for a 20-minute circuit. Lower Kachura Lake, nearby, has no entry fee and is free to visit.
When is the best time to visit Upper Kachura Lake?
April through October. The lake is most beautiful in June and July when water levels are highest from snowmelt and the surrounding trees are green. Golden hour (45 minutes before sunset) is the best time for photography: the Karakoram peaks catch the last light and the lake surface reflects them perfectly. The resort is busiest in July and August, visiting on a weekday or in shoulder season (May, September) means significantly fewer people.
Plan Your Visit
Add Kachura Lake to your Skardu itinerary.
Upper Kachura Lake is included in every Raahi Skardu tour. We time the visit for afternoon light when possible and combine it with Lower Kachura and the Skardu cold desert in a single day.
→Skardu: complete destination guide→Shigar Valley: 30 minutes from Skardu→Aghaaz Retreat: 3-day Skardu tour including Kachura→Khwab Retreat: 5-day Skardu and Deosai itinerary→Skardu travel guide 2026: how to get there, what to see & when to go→Things to do in Skardu: lakes, forts, cold desert & stargazing→Skardu in June: early season at Upper Kachura Lake→Skardu in July: peak season at Upper Kachura Lake→Skardu in August: golden-hour reflections at Kachura→Skardu in September: shoulder season, quieter Kachura→Skardu in October: last open days at the Kachura Lakes→A 5-day Skardu itinerary: Upper Kachura on Day 1→Plan a customized Skardu trip with our team
Plan Your Visit
Ready to visit Skardu?
We'll build the itinerary.
Get in touch and we'll plan it around your dates, group, and pace.
Plan Your Trip