Travel Guide

Exploring the Naltar Valley: The Colours of
Paradise in Northern Pakistan

Naltar Valley is a beautiful valley that is located in Gilgit-Baltistan province in northern part of Pakistan and there are beautiful scenes and clear water lakes. It is a place that feels the colours of nature in the best way and hence many visitors from different parts of the world. The valley has the mountain track of high altitude, green forest and silent lakes which make Naltar Valley a treasure trove for trekkers and tourists. This blog will focus on Naltar Valley weather, how to get to Hunza, accommodation and the best time to visit this beautiful valley.

The Breathtaking Beauty of Naltar Valley

Naltar Valley

Naltar Valley is still however, quite a distant place even though it is only 40 kilometres away from the city of Gilgit. It is well known for colourful lakes like Satrangi Lake (Rainbow Lake), Blue Lake and Pari Lake (Fairy Lake) each of which presents a different beautiful look. The valley is defined by high mountains and alpine meadows filled with flowers in the summer and forests of pines adding to the scenic beauty of the region.

Apart from being a beautiful place, Naltar Valley is more like an ethnographic village since it is populated by a small number of people who have retained their isolated and traditional way of life even though many tourists visit the valley. From the perspective of an adventurous person or a nature lover, Naltar Valley offers something or the other for everyone.

Naltar Valley Weather: A Land of Contrasts

Two main seasons affect the Naltar Valley weather, and each of them is dissimilar to the other. The climate in the valley is described as being cold and semi-arid, with cold summer and mild winter temperatures. Naltar Valley weather during winter is considerably severe since the region receives snowfall during the winter months, which are from December to March. This is the time when the valley assumes its role as a winter sports destination, especially in skiing and snowboarding.

It is however the summer period (May to September) that has its own unique beauty. The Naltar Valley weather during this time is comparatively moderate with the temperature varying between 10°C and 25°C. The snow melts and the ground turn green, the lakes finally open up and are at their most vibrant. The brilliant colours of the lakes and the flowering plants make the summer peak season for tourists.

The least busy season is spring, from April to May, and autumn, from October to November. The flowers bloom during spring, while during the autumn season, the valley is characterised by the yellowing of the leaves. Naltar Valley can be visited all year round, but some activities are more appropriate during some seasons than others because each season has its own beauty.

The Journey from Hunza to Naltar Valley

For anyone interested in the wider Gilgit Baltistan region, the Hunza to Naltar Valley distance is part of the journey. The distance is about 65 kilometres, and the time required to get there is 2 to 3 hours by car, though the road is beautiful.

From Karimabad in Hunza, tourists can have the incredible sights that the northern part of Pakistan offers, and therefore, the journey from Hunza to Naltar Valley distance is an experience. This is the route from Hunza to Naltar Valley, which offers lots of beautiful scenes to be photographed and occasional halts to capture moments.

Due to the complex surface of some roads in the sections, it is recommended to take a car with a local driver. The trip is worth it as new and beautiful scenes can be marvelled at from the Hunza to Naltar Valley distance.

Accommodation: Hotels in Naltar Valley

Naltar Valley

A search for a place to stay in Naltar Valley is a crucial step in organising a trip. While the valley is not as tourist developed as some of the other attractions in the country of Pakistan there are numerous accommodations available to suit all types of travellers.

There are no luxurious hotels in Naltar Valley, but there are quite a few small hotels and even campsites for travellers, and some of the lodges offer quite comfortable accommodation in the midst of the picturesque valley.

Some popular hotels in Naltar Valley include:

Naltar_Valley

Naltar Palace Hotel:

This hotel exhibits the conventional structure and warm ambience and offers simple facilities and services. It is located near the ski resort and therefore would be ideal for travellers on winter holidays.

Snow Leopard Lodge:

The Snow Leopard Lodge has basic amenities facilities and located at the viewpoint of the valley and other snow-clad peaks. It is perfect for persons who wish to spend their holiday in a quiet place out of the crowded attraction sites.

Pine Resort Naltar:

For people searching for comfort as well as some thrill adventurous, Pine Resort Naltar is perfect. The resort is well provided with the latest facilities and amenities, but the outward look and feel of the resort is classic and suited to the valley.

Camping Sites:

To get a more personalised feel of the valley, one can pay for camping grounds which are available in the valley. Living in tents, gazing at the clear sky of the night, and being surrounded by the serene beauty of Naltar Valley are things that stay with the traveller.
It is recommended to book accommodations in advance, especially during peak season, as the number of hotels in Naltar Valley is limited and can fill up quickly.

Best Time to Visit Naltar Valley

Naltar Valley

In this regard, it can be said that the best time to visit Naltar Valley is mainly informed by the kind of activities one has planned. For visitors interested in winter activities, the best time to visit is during the winter season, between December, January, and February. The Naltar Valley weather this season is highly suitable for skiing, snowboarding and other related snow activities. The ski resort is situated at an altitude of 2950m and offers great conditions and Infrastructure for winter sports lovers.

But if the aim is to visit the colourful lakes and to have wonderful eye-pleasing nature, then the best time to visit Naltar Valley is in the summer season from May to September. All the lakes can be accessed, and the valley is filled with lush vegetation and flowers.

Summer is also a good time for trekking, photography, and making acquaintances with people. Besides, spring and autumn are also less popular seasons with fewer crowds and less noisy atmosphere. During these shoulder seasons, Naltar Valley weather remains relatively good for supporting such activities.

Activities and Adventures in Naltar Valley

One of the most fascinating destinations for tourists, Naltar Valley has a lot to offer for adventurers. Here are some popular activities that visitors can enjoy

Trekking and Hiking:

The valley has several trekking trails, from easy walks to the steep hikes. The trails take one through the thickets, pastures and up to the lakes and offer exquisite views of the surrounding mountains.

Photography:

Naltar Valley is truly gifted with some of the most beautiful views and thus, is a paradise for photographers. The water of the lakes is different from the other bodies of water; the green vegetation; and the mountains are good subjects for photography.

Skiing and Snowboarding:

Being one of the finest slopes for skiing in Pakistan, Naltar Valley is perfect for winter sport lovers. The skiing resort which is owned by Pakistan Air Force offers slopes for both the novice and advanced skier.

Exploring the Lakes:

The valley is very popular because of the colourful lakes, the sightseeing of which is inescapable. Satrangi Lake is slightly different as its water has different colours throughout the day depending on the direction of the sun.

Wildlife Spotting:

Some of the animals found in Naltar Valley, which is a wildlife area, are the snow leopard, the Himalayan ibex, birds, etc. These animals live in the forests, and with some measure of fortune, the people visiting the place might be privileged to see some of the unusual types of animals.

Conclusion

Naltar Valley is, in fact, one of the most exciting places that reflect the unique and unique spirit of the northern regions of Pakistan. With beautiful scenery, ever-varying weather, and numerous things to do, it is the kind of place that can be visited at any time of the year and will suit every traveller.

Whether as a tourist visiting from Hunza to enjoy the scenic coloured lakes, for the adventurous to ski on the slopes of Naltar Valley or for those who want to have a peaceful time amidst the beautiful nature, this is one valley that will leave individuals with a memorable experience.

There are many hotels in Naltar Valley to accommodate tourists comfortably, and the climate of Naltar Valley is also different in each season, so visiting this paradise is an exciting journey in itself.

The best time to visit Naltar Valley depends on what one wants to do: skiing during winter, trekking during summer, or simply, the quiet season of spring and autumn. One may choose to go in any season. But Naltar Valley is that kind of place, that the h and soul of every traveller will be impressed.

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