Field guides / Gilgit-Baltistan / Attabad Lake
Field guide · Nature
Attabad Lake
Attabad Lake is the startling turquoise centrepiece of upper Hunza, a body of water that did not exist before January 2010, when a massive landslide buried the village of Attabad, dammed the Hunza River, and drowned a stretch of the Karakoram Highway along with several villages. From that disaster emerged one of the region's most photographed sights: a 20 km ribbon of intense blue-green water hemmed by sheer brown cliffs, now lined with boat jetties, cafés, and resorts.
Attabad Lake is the startling turquoise centrepiece of upper Hunza, a body of water that did not exist before January 2010, when a massive landslide buried the village of Attabad, dammed the Hunza River, and drowned a stretch of the Karakoram Highway along with several villages. From that disaster emerged one of the region's most photographed sights: a 20 km ribbon of intense blue-green water hemmed by sheer brown cliffs, now lined with boat jetties, cafés, and resorts. It stands as a vivid reminder that in the Karakoram the landscape is still being violently rewritten.
Why go
- ✦Vivid turquoise landslide-dammed lake
- ✦Boat rides and jet-ski hire
- ✦The Pak-China Friendship Tunnels
- ✦Gateway to Passu, Gulmit, and Khunjerab
- ✦Lakeside cafés and resorts
A Lake Born from Disaster
The 2010 Attabad landslide killed twenty people and displaced thousands, submerging homes, orchards, and 19 km of the Karakoram Highway. For years the only way past was by boat across the new lake; the Chinese-built tunnel system that finally restored the road in 2015 is itself now a highlight of the drive. Knowing the story changes how you see the beautiful water.
On the Water
Brightly painted wooden boats and jet-skis run from several jetties, offering short cruises along the cliffs and up toward the drowned villages. The water is glacial and the wind off it sharp, so bring layers even on a warm day. Life jackets and a reputable operator matter, choose carefully.
Using It as a Base
Attabad sits perfectly between Karimabad and the Passu Cones, so it pairs naturally with Hunza's forts, Gulmit's old village, the Passu and Batura glaciers, and the run to Khunjerab Pass. Several lakeside resorts make a scenic, if pricey, place to stay the night.
Planning tip
When to go, April to October for boating and the best colour; the lake is beautiful but cold and quiet in winter, when nearby high passes can close.
Getting there, On the Karakoram Highway in Gojal, upper Hunza, about 45 minutes north of Karimabad and a standard stop on any northern tour. The rebuilt KKH now tunnels past the landslide on the spectacular 'Pak-China Friendship Tunnels'.
Allow, A couple of hours for a boat ride and lakeside lunch; longer if based in Gulmit or Hunza.
