Naltar Valley: Lakes, Ski Slopes and Travel Guide from Gilgit (2026)
Naltar Valley is a forested mountain valley about 34 km from Gilgit in Gilgit-Baltistan. It has glacier-fed lakes, Pakistan’s oldest ski resort and a wildlife sanctuary. Most visitors go by jeep from Gilgit via Nomal, usually in about two hours each way, and many do it as a day trip.
Few places in Gilgit-Baltistan change as much between seasons as Naltar Valley. In summer it is pine green, with cold turquoise water at the top of a rough jeep track. In winter it is a snow field with a ski slope. If you are travelling through Gilgit, it is one of the best side trips you can add.
We run trips across Gilgit-Baltistan from Skardu at Tormik Valley Tourism. This guide pulls together the route, the lakes, the ski season and the practical points that decide whether your day goes smoothly. Where road conditions or access rules can change, we say so instead of guessing.
What Is Naltar Valley?
Naltar Valley is a forested valley in Gilgit District, about 34 km from Gilgit city, with a wildlife sanctuary, a group of lakes and a ski resort.
The valley holds two settlements: Naltar Paain (lower) and Naltar Bala (upper). Sources place them roughly 34 to 40 km from Gilgit, which is why you will see both figures online. Pine and mixed forest cover the slopes, glaciers feed the streams, and snow peaks close off the horizon.
The Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary was established on 22 November 1975. The valley sits at roughly 2,900 m, and the lakes higher up are above 3,000 m. A road from Nomal also connects to the Silk Route toward China, so the area has long been a crossroads for travellers.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Gilgit District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan |
| Distance from Gilgit | About 34 km (Naltar Bala and Naltar Paain are listed at 34–40 km) |
| Route | Naltar Expressway via Nomal and Faizabad |
| Drive time | About 2 hours by jeep from the Karakoram Highway; some sources say up to 2.5 hours |
| Lakes | Six listed: Satrangi, Halima, Bodo, Dhudia, Pari, Blue |
| Lake altitude | About 3,050–3,150 m |
| Ski resort | Base 2,870 m, top 2,950 m; owned and operated by the Pakistan Air Force |
| Wildlife sanctuary | Established 22 November 1975 |
| Best as | Day trip from Gilgit or Hunza; overnight stays possible |
How to Reach Naltar Valley from Gilgit
Drive from Gilgit toward Nomal, turn up the Naltar road via Faizabad, and use a jeep for the climb; allow about two hours each way.
Gilgit sits on the Karakoram Highway (N-35) and has its own airport (IATA: GIL), so most travellers reach Naltar as part of a longer Gilgit-Baltistan route. The Naltar Expressway links the valley with Gilgit via Nomal and Faizabad.
- Leave Gilgit and cross the Gilgit River toward Nomal.
- Nomal sits where the Naltar River meets the Hunza River. This is where the climb begins.
- Follow the Naltar road up through the forest to Naltar Bala.
- For the lakes, take a jeep on the unpaved track beyond Naltar Bala.
The climb is steep. One travel account in The Friday Times describes the road rising from about 1,600 m at Nomal to about 3,100 m in roughly 10 km, at a gradient near 15%. That is why drivers insist on jeeps and why a normal car is a poor choice above Naltar Bala.
Road quality has been a long-running issue. A Tribune report described a plan to widen the narrow jeep track, and also warned that better access could bring heavy construction. Ask your driver about current conditions before you commit to a date.
The Naltar Lakes: Satrangi, Pari and Blue Lake
The lakes are about 13 km from Naltar Bala at roughly 3,050–3,150 m, and the jeep track to them takes about an hour.
Most listings name six lakes: Satrangi, Halima, Bodo, Dhudia, Pari and Blue. Some older sources count only three. What matters on the ground is which ones you can actually reach. A Dawn travel account says two of the lakes can be reached by jeep, while the third one it describes needs a further walk.
Satrangi Lake
Satrangi is the one most visitors see first. The name suggests “seven colours”, and the water takes on different shades depending on the light and depth. The Friday Times account describes it as glacier-fed and sitting at about 10,000 ft. One travel writer reached it in about an hour from Naltar village on a rough track.
Pari Lake and Blue Lake
Dawn describes Pari as a larger alpine lake with deep blue water fed by springs and glacial melt. Blue Lake carries the colour in its name. The jeep ride crosses several water streams, so expect a bumpy trip and wet tyres.
Halima garden
Wikipedia also mentions a natural green patch known as “Halima garden”. It is a good place for a stop if you have the time and energy after the lakes.
The lakes sit above 3,000 m. Headache, nausea or dizziness can be signs of altitude sickness. If symptoms get worse, go down. Do not push higher.
Naltar Ski Resort: Pakistan’s Oldest Ski Slope
Naltar ski resort has a base at 2,870 m and a top at 2,950 m, is owned and operated by the Pakistan Air Force, and hosts national and international events.
The resort is owned and operated by the Pakistan Air Force. Several sources call it the oldest ski resort in Pakistan. AFP reported that the first international competition there was held in 2015, and the CAS Karakoram International Alpine Ski Cup was held at Naltar in January 2019.
Competitions are a regular part of the winter calendar. The month-long 2016 events involved 72 skiers from 11 teams and four championships. In January 2021, a six-day Winter Sports Festival added snowboarding, ice hockey and ice skating to the skiing.
The slope and the lifts
A report in The News on Sunday describes a slope of more than two kilometres, with chairlifts taking skiers up toward Bargo Pass. Access is the catch. Some sources say the lifts are reserved for army use, others say the PAF operates a chairlift. Check access and rules before you plan a ski trip.
Naltar is the oldest ski resort in Pakistan, and its lakes sit above 3,000 m.
Naltar Wildlife Sanctuary and Snow Leopards
The sanctuary protects forests that shelter ibex, brown bear, snow leopard and about 35 recorded bird species.
Wildlife listings for the reserve include markhor, alpine ibex, snow leopard, brown bear and grey wolf. Nearly 35 bird species have been recorded, including Brooks’s warbler. The tree list is long too, with spruce, juniper, poplar and willow among them.
The valley also has a place in snow leopard history. A Tribune article says Leo, the snow leopard at the Bronx Zoo, was found in Naltar in 2006. You are very unlikely to see a snow leopard on a day trip. Binoculars and an early start give you a better chance of ibex and birds.
Things to Do in Naltar Valley
Drive the Naltar road, visit the lakes, watch for wildlife, see the ski slope in winter, or trek over the passes if you are experienced.
Drive up through Nomal
Much of the scenery comes on the drive itself. The landscape shifts from barren rock near Gilgit to dense pine forest higher up, with streams flowing into the central Naltar stream.
Walk and photograph the lakes
Reach the lake area by jeep, then walk the shoreline. Go early so you have time to return before dark on the dirt track.
Look for wildlife
Quiet walks near the forest edge give you the best chance of birds and ibex. Keep your distance and never feed animals.
Trek over the passes
The News on Sunday notes that experienced trekkers with a good guide can cross to Ishkoman Valley over high passes. Tour operators list a Naltar Pass trek and say a licensed guide is required. These are multi-day routes, so plan them properly.
Best Time to Visit Naltar Valley
Visit between May and October for lakes and green forest, or in winter for snow and skiing; heavy snow can close the road to the lakes.
| Season | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| May–October | Pleasant weather; lakes reachable by jeep and on foot | Lakes, hiking, photography |
| Winter | Deep snow; the lake road can be blocked and lakes freeze | Skiing, snow, winter events |
One tour operator suggests May to October for the lakes. Wikipedia notes that snow 10 to 15 feet high can make it almost impossible to reach the lakes by vehicle in winter. Conditions change quickly, so confirm the road with a local driver before you set out.
One-Day Plan: Gilgit to Naltar Valley and Back
Start early from Gilgit, spend the middle of the day at the lakes, and leave the valley before dark.
| Stage | What you do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gilgit to Nomal | Drive out along the river road | Stock up on water here |
| 2. Nomal to Naltar Bala | Jeep up the Naltar road | About 2 hours total from the Karakoram Highway |
| 3. Lake track | Jeep to Satrangi Lake | About 1 hour on an unpaved track |
| 4. Lakes | Walk, photograph, rest | Watch for altitude symptoms |
| 5. Return | Drive back to Gilgit | Leave before dark |
With the driving at both ends, a day trip is full. If you want more time at the lakes, stay overnight in the valley.
Where to Stay in Naltar Valley
You can stay in a village hotel, a government rest house or PAF lodging, but facilities are basic and booking ahead is wise.
The government has set up rest houses in the valley, and the GBPWD rest house is described as the oldest. FCNA, GB Scouts and the PAF each ran their own rest houses, and several private hotels operate in the valley. A News on Sunday report also mentions reasonable hotels in the village and lodging through the PAF.
Ask the owner about heating, hot water and meals before you book. Prices change often, so we do not list rates here.
Naltar Valley Travel Tips and Safety
Go early, take warm layers, carry water and offline maps, and respect the sanctuary.
- Hire a jeep with a driver who knows the track. Agree the full round-trip price first.
- Carry water, snacks and warm layers, even in summer, and download offline maps before you leave Gilgit.
- Start early so you are back on the main road before dark.
- Take your litter back with you. A Tribune writer warned that fast construction and tree cutting are harming the valley.
- Keep your distance from wildlife and stay on tracks.
Plan Your Naltar Valley Trip with a Local Team
A local operator can arrange the jeep, driver and a route that fits Naltar into a longer Gilgit-Baltistan trip.
Want Naltar Valley in a custom Gilgit-Baltistan itinerary? Tell us your dates and group size and we will plan it with you.
Ask for a custom quoteFor more background, read the Naltar Valley overview on Wikipedia, the Naltar ski resort page, this travel report on the lakes and ski slope and this Dawn account of the lakes.
Naltar Valley FAQ
Short answers to the questions visitors ask most.
How far is Naltar Valley from Gilgit?
How many lakes are in Naltar Valley?
Is Naltar Valley open in winter?
Can you ski at Naltar?
Do you need a 4×4 to reach Naltar Lakes?
Is Naltar Valley a day trip from Gilgit?
Is Naltar Valley Worth Visiting?
Yes: Naltar Valley gives you lakes, forest and snow within a day’s drive of Gilgit.
Pick your season, hire a driver who knows the track and start early. If you want help fitting Naltar Valley into a wider trip across Gilgit-Baltistan, talk to us at Tormik Valley Tourism and we will plan around it.