The Hindukush Himalayas (HKH) is one of the world’s richest biodiversity regions encompassing four global biodiversity hotspots, 60 ecoregions, and 488 endangered areas. More than 2,500 out of a total of 10,700 Himalayan plants are reported in HKH.
HKH region in North Pakistan has received inadequate attention due to its remoteness and inaccessibility. Pretty much every district of Pakistan is spotted with many regular attractions and authentic destinations that every avid traveller should visit at least once.
Situated in the north-western part of Pakistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) is a land of many mighty mountains. Hidden among these wonderful geographical features you will discover the most pleasing valleys of the planet, and those valleys connect you to some of the world’s most attractive natural lakes.
The Northern Areas of Pakistan are home to some of the world’s high-altitude natural lakes and reservoirs. One of them is Karomber Lake, a high-altitude lake on the border of district Chitral of KP. Fed by glacial melt from the mountains surrounding it. The lake connects with Boroghil valley Chitral in the south and with Gilgit Baltistan in the east. It also borders on Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor Characterized by the lake’s deep blue water as well as by the luxuriant vegetation, wild-growing flowers, cold breeze, and hot springs found in the immediate vicinity coupled with the breath-taking scenery of snow-capped mountains, the lake’s unique ambiance and otherworldly beauty has mesmerised travellers and writers for years.
One of the most beautiful, pristine, and pure lakes of Pakistan is located at an elevation of 4,272 m. The surrounding area of Karomber Lake is home to some of the rare species of the world like snow leopard. Among other wildlife found in these climes are foxes, brown bears, wolf, and marmots.
The trek toward Karomber Lake is the most diverse trek in Northern Areas of Pakistan and has many entry and exit points to the lake. Rocky and bumpy trek with lush green pasture alongside River Kabul tugs the hearts of tourists and trekkers towards Karomber Lake.
The easy and shortest route to Karomber Lake is from the Chitral side via Mastuj, Broghil Valley. The total distance between Islamabad to Karomber Lake is 370 km. The route from Islamabad to Karomber Lake is via Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway and then at Colonel Sher Khan Interchange via Swat Motorway towards Chakdara. Onwards, the N45 route, Dir Chitral Road which connects Islamabad to Chitral.
Trek to Karamber Lake is a must on the bucket list of an adventure lover. Trekking on the way to the lake is easy but involves 6 to 9 hours of trekking so prior trekking experience is preferable, and for those who find trekking difficult, horse riding is also available for PKR 7,000-10,000.
The whole journey from Islamabad to Karomber Lake is a seven day trip, which includes a two-day stay at the Lake itself. The Lake is also known as Qurumbar lake in some references and alternately is spelled as Karomber or Karamber. It is the 33rd highest lake in the world and one of the most biologically active.
Karomber Lake is the deepest lake in the valley with a maximum and mean depth of 55m and is spread over a surface area of 263.44 hectares and discharges into Karam- ber Valley of Boroghil and then into Immit Ishkoman of District Ghizer.
The water clarity level is 13.75, which is the highest value ever recorded in the literature of lakes in Pakistan. It is not very far away from Karamber Pass which connects Broghil Valley and Ghizer district. The outflow from the Lake feeds into another mini-lake before moving downstream towards Broghil. Another beautiful lake called Ribat Lake is about a mile from Karomber Lake.
The land of Karomber Lake expects the traveller to discover her jewels. Travelers sink into its blue waters. Departing is painful, even if one is going back home. Sometimes we look for home all around and when we find one, the time comes to part with it. But that’s life, with another memory made, and a new chapter written.
