The splendor of Kaghan Valley: Story of a lost paradise Part-6

The splendor of Kaghan Valley: Story of a lost paradise Part-6 

Kaghan Road, from there onwards, winds down the giant snow-clad mountains, trudging closer to the Kunhar, which gradually goes quite with the ascending altitude. The highland glaciations in the region constantly gives birth to hidden lakes amidst the mountains
and some of them are completely wiped out with the passage of time.

Sat-sar Mala

Few kilometers beyond Lulusar, a small stream drops in the lake which originates from the mythical string of seven lakes aka “Sat-sar mala”. “Sar” in the local language refers to lake. They are a bead of six lakes, the higher one dropping in the lower lake
with lake “Surkhail” being the highest one seated at approximately 15000ft above sea level. The first lake on the way up is known as the fairy lake. The name “Sat-sar mala” was coined somewhere back decades ago when maybe there were actually seven lakes in
the bead.

Lake Dodipit-sar

Dodipit lies at the base of a snow capped mountain and the passage to it leads through a vast valley that resembles more to a giant’s playground. Standing at some height and starring down at the valley, the grazing herds appear like miniatures. The valley
often echoes with the hoot of the Golden Marmet which is found in abundance in the valley. The only source of food that it probably relies on is the trout from the Dodipit.

The lake also holds the rare variety of the “Golden Trout” which is not found anywhere else in the region. The height of the lake can incite constant nausea and headaches while the temperature normally plummets below freezing during the nights. The trek
to the lake can only be pursued on foot or via mules and follows the “Porbi Nar Nallah (stream)” which originates from Lake Dodipitsar.

It takes approximately six to eight hours to reach the lake nestled between the snow-covered peaks. Local nomads and herders have setup a small camp village for the visitors where one can hire tents and camps for an overnight stay. A round tour of the lake
in one day is not possible.

The valley also leads to several assorted treks within the giant peaks leading to yet another scenic lake, “Lake Saral” which further leads to the “Noori Top”. A jeep track from Noori Top can be followed to either back to Jalkhad or to the Neelum Valley
in Azad Kashmir.

Dodipit, undoubtedly, is the most magnificent jewel in the crown of Kaghan valley.

Babusar Pass

Passing through the last summer settlement of Kaghan Valley at Gittidas, Babusar Pass is the next stop. Along the way, Gujar nomads spend the summer months on this high pasture with their herds of sheep and goats. The last 7 kilometers to the top is a steep
climb. From the stone cairn marking the highest point of the pass, many take the time to enjoy the gorgeous vistas surrounding Kaghan and Babusar Valleys and the white topped snowy mountains in the backdrop. Chilas town is 50 kilometers from here.

To be continued….

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Posted by Naveed A Bari on Jan 24 2012. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry