Skardu / Baltistan · Lakes
Upper Kachura Lake
Upper Kachura is the quieter alpine lake sibling to Shangrila / Lower Kachura - a short drive from Skardu for walks, boats in season, and calmer photos.
Plan this tripPractical notes
- Facilities
- Seasonal stalls and boat options; Skardu remains the lodging base.
These notes are not a safety guarantee. Conditions change; check closer to your dates.
Access
Getting there
655 km
Distance
~18.5 hrs
Drive
Last mile
Short road from Skardu; walking paths around the shore.
Road Generally good from Skardu in fair weather.
When to go
Month-by-month access and crowding.
- Ideal
- Crowded
- Risky
- Closed
- Unknown
Upper Kachura is the quieter alpine lake sibling to Shangrila / Lower Kachura - a short drive from Skardu for walks, boats in season, and calmer photos.
On the ground
What to expect
Facilities
Basic
Permit
Not required
Entry fee
Confirm locally
Facilities Seasonal stalls and boat options; Skardu remains the lodging base.
The story
While Lower Kachura hosts the Shangrila resort scene, Upper Kachura sits a little farther for a quieter shoreline. Most Skardu itineraries pair both lakes in a half-day when weather is clear. Expect basic lakeside services and confirm boat availability on the day.
Photos
1 photo
On the map
Upper Kachura Lake
Approximate coordinates — confirm the trailhead locally: 35.31500, 75.56500 · Open in OpenStreetMap
Trip reports
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How this guide was checked
Verified through official and published sources. Not a field visit.
Current road, permit, and weather status: confirm locally. Conditions change.
No named field editor is attached to this page yet — we do not invent bylines.