This Karambar Lake travel guide explains how to reach one of the highest lakes in Pakistan, a glacier-fed alpine lake at roughly 4,272 metres near the Afghan border. There is no road to the water. Every route is a multi-day journey by 4×4 and on foot, so the trip needs planning well before you leave Islamabad.
Quick answer: is Karambar Lake worth the effort?
Yes, if you are fit, acclimatised and happy to camp. The reward is a quiet high-altitude lake at the head of the Karambar valley, reached through the pastures of Broghil Valley National Park. It is not a good fit for a short trip, for young children, or for anyone who needs hotel comforts. Most travellers approach from Chitral, and you should allow around nine days from Islamabad.
Karambar Lake quick facts
| Detail | Karambar Lake |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 4,272 m (some sources quote 4,304 m, which is the highest point of Broghil National Park) |
| Size | About 3.9 km long and 2 km wide |
| Setting | Head of the Karambar valley, beside Karambar Pass (about 4,343 m) |
| Region | Boundary of Broghil Valley (Upper Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Ishkoman Valley (Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan) |
| Usual base village | Lashkargaz, Broghil Valley |
| Trek from Lashkargaz | Roughly 30 km out and back, usually 3 to 4 days |
| Best months | June to September |
| Languages | Khowar and Wakhi locally; guides usually speak Urdu |
| Currency and cash | PKR. Withdraw cash in Chitral city; do not expect ATMs further up the valley |
| Mobile coverage | Expect little or none beyond the lower Yarkhun Valley; confirm with your operator |
Where is Karambar Lake?
The lake sits next to Karambar Pass, which marks the divide between Broghil Valley and Ishkoman Valley. Because it lies on that divide, sources disagree on how to label it. Wikipedia places it in Ishkoman Valley, Ghizer District, Gilgit-Baltistan, while Pakistani travel and park sources describe it as the main attraction at the far end of Broghil in Upper Chitral. This guide treats it as a lake on the Chitral and Ishkoman divide and tells you which approach each route uses.
Broghil Valley National Park was established in 2010 and covers about 1,348 square kilometres, according to a Dawn report. The park lies roughly 250 km from Chitral town and runs close to the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan. The border here follows the Hindu Kush ridgeline, which is why travel rules in the area deserve a careful check.
How to reach Karambar Lake
Route 1: from Chitral through the Yarkhun Valley
This is the route most operators use. Reach Chitral from Islamabad by road or by a weather-dependent domestic flight (see our domestic flights guide). From Chitral, drive to Mastuj, then continue up the Yarkhun Valley by 4×4. One local source describes a full day by jeep from Mastuj to Lashkargaz, and reports that 4×4 vehicles could reach Lashkargaz as of late 2018. Road conditions change with floods and landslides, so confirm the current state with your operator.
From Lashkargaz you walk to the lake. One trekking account gives about 30 km for the out-and-back walk over 3 to 4 days, and times vary with fitness and acclimatisation.
Route 2: from Gilgit through Ishkoman Valley
The Ishkoman side starts from Gilgit, passes Gahkuch and follows the Ishkoman Valley road to its last villages, after which a track leads toward the lake. Trekkers on forums report two to three days on foot from the road end, but we could not find an official or current source for these times, so treat them as unconfirmed. This side sees far fewer visitors and offers less local support.
| Route | Starting point | Vehicle section | On foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yarkhun (Chitral) | Chitral and Mastuj | About 250 km to the park area; a full day by jeep from Mastuj to Lashkargaz | Lashkargaz to the lake, about 3 to 4 days round trip |
| Ishkoman (Gilgit) | Gilgit and Gahkuch | Road and jeep track up Ishkoman Valley | Reported 2 to 3 days each way, unconfirmed |
Permits and access rules
Rules for this border-adjacent area have changed over the years. One travel article reported that the government had dropped the NOC requirement to encourage tourism, while another operator guide says permits are needed for both Pakistani and foreign visitors. We could not confirm the current position from an official source, so check with the Chitral district administration, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tourism authorities or a registered operator before you book transport. Foreign visitors should ask specifically, since reports say few foreigners were permitted in earlier years.
Best time to visit and weather
June to September is the usual window, with July and August the busiest months. Broghil is reported to receive several feet of snow in winter, which cuts the valley off from the rest of the district. Early in summer parts of the lake can still be frozen. Nights at this altitude are cold even in July, and weather can turn quickly, so carry a full set of warm and waterproof layers.
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| June | Early season; snow patches and partly frozen water are possible |
| July and August | Most reliable conditions and the most visitors; green pastures |
| September | Colder nights; shorter days; quieter trails |
| October to May | Snow and closed tracks; not suitable for normal trips |
What to see around Karambar Lake
- The lake itself: a long, glacier-fed body of water fed by the Karambar glacier, with open moorland around it.
- Karambar Pass: the crossing between Yarkhun and Ishkoman, only a short distance from the lake. Crossing it is serious mountain travel and not part of a standard visit.
- Ribat Lake: a smaller lake reported to lie close to Karambar. Ask your guide whether it is reachable on your dates.
- Lashkargaz and the Broghil pastures: a high village where herders keep yaks in summer, and the starting point for most treks.
- Wildlife: marmots, foxes and bears are reported in the valley, and snow leopards live in the wider area but are rarely seen.
Things to do and photography
Walking, camping and photography are the main activities. Clear nights at this altitude give very good star views, and early morning light suits the lake. Ask permission before photographing herders and villagers, especially women. Check the rules before flying a drone, since this is a border area.
Where to stay and what to eat
There are no hotels at the lake, so you camp. Before the trek, Chitral city has the widest choice of hotels, and Mastuj has simpler stays that you should confirm through your operator. Meals on the trek are normally supplied by the operator. Carry extra snacks, since appetite and energy drop at altitude.
Estimated costs
We do not publish PKR figures here because we cannot verify current prices, and operators quote very different packages. Ask for a written quote that lists each of these items:
- 4×4 hire from Chitral or Mastuj and back
- Guide, cook and porters or pack animals
- Tents, sleeping bags and mats if not your own
- Food for all trek days
- Any permit or park fee confirmed by the authorities
- Hotels in Chitral and Mastuj before and after
Packing checklist
Use our northern Pakistan packing list as a base, then add the items below.
- Four-season sleeping bag and insulated mat
- Warm layers, rain shell, hat and gloves
- Broken-in trekking boots and poles
- Sun protection and water purification
- Power bank, headlamp and offline maps
- Basic first-aid kit and personal medicines
- Cash and copies of your ID, plus your passport and visa if you are a foreign visitor
Travel tips
- Spend a night or two in Chitral and Mastuj before climbing, and read our altitude sickness guide.
- Hire a local guide through a registered operator. See how to hire a guide.
- Solo travellers should join a group; the route is remote and trails are not marked.
- Budget travellers can lower costs by sharing the 4×4 and guide fees in a group.
- Dress modestly in villages; see our cultural etiquette guide.
Safety tips
- Descend if symptoms of altitude sickness appear and do not sleep higher with a worsening headache.
- Stream crossings are usually easier in the morning, before the day warms and meltwater rises.
- Stay on the route your guide has agreed and carry ID for any checkpoints.
- Ask the operator how they will call for help, for example by satellite phone. Chitral city is the nearest major town with a hospital.
Responsible tourism
Carry out all rubbish, keep soap and food waste away from the water, and camp on bare ground rather than grazing pasture. This is a protected national park and a working summer pasture, so treat both with care and pay local people fairly for services.
Possible itinerary
This is an indicative nine-day plan. Your operator may change the order depending on road conditions and weather.
- Day 1: Islamabad to Chitral.
- Day 2: Chitral to Mastuj; rest and acclimatise.
- Day 3: Long 4×4 day from Mastuj up the Yarkhun Valley to Lashkargaz.
- Day 4: Walk from Lashkargaz toward the lake and camp.
- Day 5: Reach and spend time at Karambar Lake.
- Day 6: Walk back toward Lashkargaz.
- Day 7: Drive Lashkargaz to Mastuj.
- Day 8: Mastuj to Chitral.
- Day 9: Chitral to Islamabad, with a spare day in hand for weather.
Frequently asked questions
Is Karambar Lake in Chitral or Gilgit-Baltistan?
It sits on the divide between the two. Wikipedia lists Ishkoman Valley in Ghizer, while park and travel sources describe it at the end of Broghil Valley in Upper Chitral. Most travellers reach it from the Chitral side.
Do I need a permit for the Karambar Lake trek?
Reports conflict, and rules have changed over time. Confirm the current requirement with the district administration, the tourism authorities or a registered operator before you travel.
How high is Karambar Lake?
Around 4,272 metres. A figure of 4,304 metres also appears in some sources, but that is quoted as the highest point of the national park.
How many days does the Karambar Lake trek take?
Plan about nine days from Islamabad, including driving, acclimatisation and three to four days on foot from Lashkargaz.
Can I visit Karambar Lake without a guide?
We do not recommend it. The area is remote, trails are not marked and rescue is far away.
Is there accommodation at Karambar Lake?
No. Camping is the only option at the lake. Hotels are available in Chitral city.
Nearby attractions and related guides
- Broghil Valley travel guide
- Ishkoman Valley
- Chitral travel overview
- Rush Lake travel guide, a more accessible high-altitude option
- Most beautiful lakes in Pakistan
Conclusion
A Karambar Lake trip is about remoteness and preparation more than a single viewpoint. Confirm access rules first, travel with a local guide, give yourself time to acclimatise, and the lake is a rewarding end to the Broghil route.
Sources and official information
Last reviewed October 2026. Permit rules, road access and prices change; verify before you travel.