This lake is located in the Kaghan Valley of Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and mirroring the stillness of the cloudy skies. The lake is also known as Dudipatsar Lake due to its shape.
In spite of its wilderness and remoteness, the lake doesn’t have any hotels or restaurants.
In order to enjoy the mesmerizing Dudipatsar Lake, July to September is the best and most ideal period of time to do so.
Approximately 18 km (11 mi) of hiking trails exist in the Lulusar National Park in KPK, so for lake sightseeing it should take two days to complete the trail.
To truly experience the beauty of Dudipatsar Lake, a trip to Upper Kaghan Valley will take you 3 to 4 days.
The word “dudi” means white, “pat” means mountains and “sar” means lake. This name has been given due to the white color of snow on surrounding peaks.
Dudipatsar Lake lies in the extreme north of the Kaghan Valley, in Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a height of 3,800 metres (12,500 feet).
It is a popular tourist destination set amid mountain ranges with snow patches. In addition to its ecological significance, the lake and its wetlands are a major migration route for migratory waterfowl. There are thousands of lakes in Gilgit Baltistan, many of which are waiting to be discovered, just like Dudipatsar Lake.
Access to this lake became increasingly difficult after the earthquake that hit northern Pakistan in 2005. Kaghan Valley has been one of the top tourist destinations since 2006, as the Pakistani government has rebuilt and introduced tourism infrastructure and facilities.
You can find a hotel and police checkpoint at Besal, where the trail leads to the lake. In addition to lodges, camp spaces are available for safe camping with a washroom. Typically, parking the vehicle is the responsibility of the owner, though you can hire a person to do it for you once or twice a week.
The herding flocks and inhabitants of Mullah ki Basti come down in September to prepare for winter. There are no accommodations for 9–10 kilometers around Dudipatsar Lake, so if you plan to go there during this time, bring an abundance of food and a tent.
In Dudipatsar, the trail follows a tribute to the Kunhar River called Poorbi Narr for about 18 kilometers. The trail has a medium difficulty as it does not have a high overall elevation. Moreover, climbing to a high altitude makes the trail more challenging. Check the weather first before visit the lake.
Approximately 5-8 hours is the average hike time, but there are three ways to hike the trail:
There is no need to spend the night on this trek. A hike to the top of the lake can take up to three hours, while a hike back down would take three to four hours.
During this trek, you will spend the night either at Mulla ki Basti, two kilometers from Dudipatsar, or at the lake itself. A hiker can spend anywhere from 6-10 hours ascending the lake, depending on their efficiency. Generally, returning takes about 5-6 hours. At Besal hikers can rent mules to transport their luggage.
It is recommended that you stay at Mulla ki Basti or Dudipatsar Lake for two nights. An enjoyable full-day tour of the lake is ideal for those who want some peace and solitude. You can hire a professional and local tour guide to hike to Dudipatsar.
Water in the lake varies in color from bluish-green to turquoise according to the season and time of day. A patch of snow-capped mountains surrounds it, while fields of peaches and pink flowers bloom here.
Within the national park, you can find breathtaking trails leading up to the lake. In early summer, snow (in early summer) and streams are likely to be encountered, as well as boulders, meadows, plateaus, and streams. Mountain trails and mountains in the surrounding area have become the summer homes of cattle herders and shepherds.
Generally, dry and sunny weather conditions during the hiking season in mid-summer. The plateau is marshy in some places during the rainy season. Snow is likely to accumulate when the ravine runs down from it.
The Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park is home to many species of fauna, including snow leopards, black bears, marmots, weasels, lynx, Himalayan snowcocks, snow partridges, and multiple species of birds. It contains several river crossings for locals and tourists. You can experience the trail itself and the final destination is simply magnificent at Dudipatsar Lake!
