Dudipatsar Lake

Dudipatsar Lake

Dudipatsar Lake is very stunning, eye catching and beautiful which is among the most beautiful lakes of Naran, Kahgan Valley Pakistan.

Dudiptsar Lake or Dudipat Lake is a lake encircled by snow clad peaks in Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park. The lake lies in the extreme north of the Kaghan Valley, in the Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in northern Pakistan. The word "dudi" means white, "pat" means mountains and "sar" means lake in Sanskrit, the language of natives before muslims invaded. This name has been given to the lake because of the white color of snow at surrounding peaks. In summer the water of the lake reflects like a mirror. The word "sar" is used with the name of each lake in the area, translating as 'lake.

The lake's water is a beautiful greenish blue hue and very cold, at an elevation of 3,800 metres (12,500 ft). The surrounding mountains, with snow patches in the shady dales, average around 4,800 metres (15,700 ft) in elevation. The lake and its wetlands habitats are of significant ecological importance for resident fauna and migratory waterfowl. Some of the park's fauna includes the Snow leopard, Black bear, Marmot, Weasel, Lynx, Leopard, Himalayan Snowcock, and the Snow Partridge.
Lulusar Lake, also in the park, is the primary headwaters of the Kunhar River. Saiful Muluk National Park, with Saif ul Maluk Lake, is adjacent in the 150 kilometres (93 mi) long Kaghan Valley region and together the parks protect 88,000 hectares (220,000 acres).
The lake and park is accessible for four months of the year from June to late September. In the summer, when the mirror-like water reflects the scenery, visitors from different regions of the country and from abroad travel to enjoy the enchanting views. The trail head for Dudipatsar is located at Besal, which is about an hours drive from the town of Naran. The road is accessible by cars and motorbikes. From Besal onwards visitors trek in vast alpine meadows to reach Dudiptsar Lake. The lake had an abundance of trout, but illegal fishing with dynamite and nets resulted in a sharp fish population decline. It is advised to not track it in snow, as it is an avalanche prone area.

Dudipatsar Lake

The 2005 Kashmir earthquake in North Pakistan made access more difficult. However since 2006 the Pakistan government has taken 'all steps' to restore tourism in the Kaghan Valley, including rebuilding and new tourism facilities and infrastructure.

Dudipatsar lake offers amazing and unbelievable views which cannot be forgotten.if any one goes for Dudipatsar lake it is not only a one destination that is worth to see. The path that is used for Dudipatsar Lake is also very memorable and scenic. so the whole path that end up at Mula ki basti(A local place name) and Dudipatsar lake is very beautiful and memorable. Beautiful Mountains , snow patches, little streams, and everywhere greenery will mesmerize you whole way.

 

Dudipatsar Lake

How to reach

If You are coming from any part of the country your first stop should be Mansehra because its a big bus terminal and every kind of buses, vans, and jeeps available for any destination. Then move to Naran.  Vans are cheapest way of traveling. From naran hire a jeep for Basel.its a name of local place. Basel to Dudipatsar is accessible only by trekking and hiking. Jeeps cannot reach there. Basel to Mula ki Basti(A local place name) takes approximately 4 to 5 hours and then  2 to 3 hours trekking for Dudipatsar lake. But it is better to stay one night at Mula ki basti and next day visit Dudipatsar lake and trek back to Basel.

 

Dudipatsar Lake

Most of the people coming to Kaghan Valley stick to Naran & Lake Saiful Maluk. They don't go further. There are several beautiful Lakes in this valley, which should not be missed. Dudipatsar Lake is one of them. According to many it is far more beautiful than Lake Saiful Maluk. Dudipatsar means "White Lake", because most of the year it is covered with ice. Ice melts for a couple of months during end of July till September. So best time to Visit Dudipatsar Lake is Late July till September. 

Dudipatsar Lake

There are several Ways to reach Dudipatsar Lake but the easiest one is from Behsal (Besal) via Mulla ki Basti. You should leave early from Naran.. Then you'll go to Behsal (Besal) on Jeep.  From here you can hire a guide as well as Horses. Guide will take around Rs. 2000/- per day & same for the horse. In the start of the trek there is a narrow way. A couple of glaciers also come on the way. Then path widens up. After approx. 6 hours trek comes "Mulla Ki Basti". A small village where you can get something to eat. But it is recommended to carry packed food with you. For here its approx. 2 hours further hike to Dudipatar Lake. Some people camp & relax here & go to the lake next morning. Some direct go to the lake & finally relax there. It is advisable to stay at Mulla ki basti and go to the lake next morning. From here 2 hours hike to the lake is relatively hard, because rocks are steep but when You finally reach at the lake, you wouldn't complaint for the hardship. It is very beautiful. In August - September, partially snow covered Mountains around the lake give a very view. Waters are not very deep but cold. You can bring kit & do fishing. Delicious Trout fish is found here.

Dudiptsar is another beautiful lake encircled by snow clad peaks. The word "dudi" means white and "sar" means lake. This name has been given to the lake because of the white color of snow at surrounding peaks. In summer the water of lake reflects like a mirror. Its not easy to visit this lake as there is tough hike. Its gonna take you four to six hours for this lake after tough hiking and trekking.

In the summer when the water of the lake reflects like a mirror a large number of visitors from different areas of the country come to watch the enchanting views of these lake.

Dudipatsar Lake

 For details about how to get in Pakistan please visit my post Language and how to get to Pakistan:

 http://pakistanguider.blogspot.com/2013/05/language.html

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