The Soon Valley, also called Soon Sakesar, is a long, quiet valley in the northwest of Khushab District, Punjab, tucked inside the Salt Range. It is known for three lakes, ancient hilltop temples, orchards and Sakesar, the highest point in the range. It suits travellers who want hills and water without the crowds of Murree.
This guide explains the geography, what to see, how to reach it and what to check before you go.
Quick answer
Plan the Soon Valley as an overnight trip, or a very long day, from Islamabad or Lahore. The main sights are Uchhali Lake, Khabekki (Khabikki) Lake, Jahlar Lake, the Amb Sharif temples and the Sakesar hills. Distances in the sources conflict, so use a current map and local advice.
Soon Valley at a glance
| Location | Northwest Khushab District, Punjab |
| Size | About 56 km long, 14 km wide on average, around 800 sq km |
| Largest settlement | Naushera |
| Lakes | Uchhali, Khabekki, Jahlar |
| Highest point | Sakesar, about 1,522 to 1,530 m depending on the source |
| From Islamabad | About 214 to 230 km (sources differ) |
| From Lahore | About 290 to 325 km (sources differ) |
The three lakes
Uchhali, Khabekki and Jahlar together form the Uchhali Complex, designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance on 22 March 1996. It covers about 1,243 hectares and is described as the only conservation area in Pakistan supporting winter flocks of white-headed duck. For birdwatchers, October onwards is the usual start of the waterbird season.
- Uchhali Lake: best at sunrise and sunset, with boats available for hire.
- Khabekki Lake: home to a tourism-corporation resort with boating, a boardwalk and a viewing platform.
- Jahlar Lake: about 148 acres, with no boating or fishing, and water described as acidic.
We could not confirm entry fees, boat charges or resort rates, so ask when you book. For another lake in the range, see our Salt Range day-trip guide.
Sakesar
Sakesar is the highest point in the Salt Range and the only peak in this part of Punjab that gets winter snow. The height is given as 1,522, 1,525 or 1,530 m in different references, so we say simply “about 1,520 to 1,530 m”. It hosts a radar station and a transmission centre. A 2020 blog says civilians need permission to enter the base, so check the current rule before you drive up.
Amb Sharif temples
The Amb temples stand near Amb Sharif village. They date to the 9th to 10th centuries and are built in the Gandhara Nagara style, associated with the Odi Shahi period. The main temple is about 15 m tall and the smaller one is 7 to 8 m, around 75 m away. They are protected under Pakistan’s Antiquities Act of 1975, and the main temple has needed concrete support.
A 2020 report describes a metalled road from Quaidabad taking about an hour, with seasonal streams crossing the road, and advises an SUV from Sakesar and a high-clearance jeep from Uchhali. Road conditions may have changed since then.
Villages, orchards and food
The valley is Awan country, with villages scattered between the lakes. Produce mentioned in sources includes peaches, apricots, pears, grapes, figs, olives and wheat. Kanhatti Garden is dated to 1933 and its oranges are reported to ripen in May and June. We found no dish specific to the valley, so expect ordinary Punjabi food such as roti, daal and curries, and ask your host what is in season. Naushera is the main town and has ATMs.
What about Namal Lake?
Namal Lake is often mentioned alongside the Soon Valley, but it is in Mianwali District, about 32 km from Mianwali city, not in the valley itself. Treat it as a separate stop.
How to reach the Soon Valley
One source suggests joining the Lahore–Islamabad Motorway, leaving at Kallar Kahar or Lilla, and driving about an hour on to the valley. The sources disagree on total distance, so allow most of a day each way from Lahore and half a day or more from Islamabad.
Best time to visit
Sources disagree: one says autumn to spring, another March to May and September to November, another April to October. Spring and autumn are the safest choices. Summers in the plains below are hot, and the lakes are quietest outside weekends.
Sample plan: two days from Islamabad
- Day 1: Drive via Kallar Kahar to Uchhali. Spend sunset by the lake and stay overnight near Khabekki or in Naushera.
- Day 2: Visit Khabekki in the morning, then continue to Amb Sharif if road conditions allow, before the return drive.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Soon Valley?
In northwest Khushab District, inside the Salt Range in Punjab.
What are the Soon Valley lakes?
Uchhali, Khabekki and Jahlar, together forming the Uchhali Complex Ramsar site.
Is the Soon Valley good for birdwatching?
Yes. It is a Ramsar wetland with winter waterbirds, and the season generally starts around October.
Can I go to Sakesar?
Access to the top is linked to a military facility, so confirm the current rules before you go.
Distances, fees and access rules change. Confirm them locally before you travel.
Sources
- The News on Sunday, The forgotten temples (April 2020)
- Destinations.com.pk, A guide to Soon Valley (2020)