Phander Valley – Gilgit’s Hidden Paradise
There are such places in Gilgit-Baltistan whose beauty can steal your heart and Phander Valley is one of them. When I went to Phander on the Skardu Trekkers journey, I had no idea that this place would steal your heart so much. According to me, this beautiful place has three or four specialties, one is hills, second is greenery and third is water. And these things are in Phander Valley
A beautiful mode of travel – from Gupis to Phander
The journey from Gilgit to Gupis is beautiful, but when the road opens towards Phander, it feels like we have come to some other world. A wide open valley, green fields, and a calm, mirror-like lake in the middle. When I saw Phander Lake for the first time, I was literally amazed. The lake was so clear that the reflection of the sky and mountains was visible in it as if an artist had carefully painted it.
Phander Lake – A sight that gives peace to the eyes
The water of Shandur river reaches the bottom in its flow and slows down a lot below. Here it looks like a lake, there is a bridge over this water which enhances its beauty even more. You can find trout fish here, though I didn’t get a chance to eat any. But sitting by the lake, feeling the air, the water, and the silence — that itself was therapy. This lake can produce 100 mega watt electricity through hydral power setup but due to governmental negligence the water here is going waste, relevant authorities should pay attention here for our wellbeing.
The real color of local life
I stayed in a small guest house which was being run by a local family. They gave me fresh roti and dal and hot tea in the evening. They said, “There are challenges in villages life but still the peace that one gets here is not found in cities.” And they were speaking the truth.
Factors that make Phander Valley special
The biggest charm of Phander Valley is that there is no crowd, no noise, no commercial setup here. Only the real form of nature – green fields, blue lake, and clean sky. Here you are not a tourist, you become a guest. There are very few such places in Pakistan where you can really disconnect and live.
Travel Guide – Make the journey to Phander Valley easy
Location: Ghizer District, Gilgit-Baltistan
Distance from Gilgit: 180 km (6–8 hour drive)
Best Time to Visit: May to September
Activities: Trout fishing, photography, walk by the lake, nature relaxation
Accommodation: Local guesthouses with home-like hospitality
This journey with Skardu Trekkers is one of those journeys of my life which leave behind not just photos but feelings. Phander Valley is a place where you take photos not for Instagram but for your heart.
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