Kachura Lake is really two lakes at about 2,500 m in Skardu District. Upper Kachura (Foroq Tso in Balti) is a clear lake about 70 m deep. Lower Kachura is better known as Shangrila Lake, after the resort on its shore. Both lie around Kachura village, about 25–30 km northwest of Skardu beyond the airport, a 30–45 minute drive. Upper Kachura has no entry fee. Shangrila charged day visitors about PKR 500–1,000 in 2025 reports, a boat ride costs roughly PKR 1,000–3,000 depending on its length, and a taxi there and back from Skardu runs about PKR 3,000–5,000. The best months are April to October.
Most people see both lakes in half a day. Prices were checked in October 2026 and change with the season, so agree every fare before you set off.
Kachura Lake quick facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 2,500 m (8,200 ft) for both lakes |
| Location | Kachura village, Skardu District. Upper Kachura is at about 35.447° N, 75.445° E and Lower Kachura (Shangrila) at about 35.427° N, 75.455° E |
| From Skardu | About 25–30 km, 30–45 minutes by car. Skardu airport is closer |
| Upper Kachura | About 70 m deep, around 15°C at the surface in summer, frozen in winter. A short walk down from the road |
| Lower Kachura | Inside the grounds of Shangrila Resort, which opened in 1983. You can drive right up to it |
| Between the lakes | A footpath of about 15–30 minutes, uphill from Shangrila |
| Entry | Upper Kachura free. Shangrila day entry about PKR 500–1,000 (2025 reports) |
| Best months | April to October. July and August are the busiest |
Upper vs Lower Kachura
| Upper Kachura | Lower Kachura (Shangrila) | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Wild and quiet, with orchards and a stony shore | Landscaped resort gardens and red-roofed cottages |
| Access | Park in the village and walk down for 5–15 minutes; about 15 minutes back up | Drive to the resort gate |
| Facilities | A few small guesthouses and stalls | Resort, restaurant and boats |
| Best for | Photographers, walkers and anyone avoiding crowds | Families, couples and an easy stop |
How to reach Kachura Lake
- Get to Skardu: fly from Islamabad in about an hour, weather permitting, or come by road. See Skardu airport access and the Skardu travel guide.
- Skardu to Kachura: head out past the airport towards Gilgit and turn off for Kachura village. A private car or taxi is easiest, at about PKR 3,000–5,000 there and back with waiting time. Shared vans cost PKR 500–800 a seat but don’t run to the lakeshores.
- To the lakes: drive straight into Shangrila for Lower Kachura. For Upper Kachura, park in the village and follow the path down through the fields.
Things to do
- Boating: local boatmen run rowing boats on Upper Kachura, and the resort runs boats on Shangrila Lake. Reports from 2025–2026 range from about PKR 1,000–2,000 for a short ride to PKR 2,000–3,000 for an hour.
- The aircraft café: Shangrila’s best-known oddity is a restaurant built inside the fuselage of a DC-3 that crash-landed near Skardu in 1953.
- Walk between the lakes: the path through Kachura village gives views back over both lakes. Wear shoes with some grip.
- Trout fishing: trout live in Upper Kachura, but you need a permit from the GB Fisheries Department. A local guide can tell you where to get one.
- Photography: come early in the morning, when the water is still and the peaks reflect in it. In autumn the orchards and poplars turn yellow.
Best time to visit Kachura Lake
- April–May: apricot blossom and mild days, with snow still on the peaks.
- June–August: the warmest months, at about 15–20°C, with all boats running. Expect crowds and higher hotel prices.
- September–October: clear skies and autumn colour, with cold evenings. It’s the best balance of weather and quiet.
- November–March: below freezing. Upper Kachura usually freezes and the path can ice over. Most boating stops.
See the best time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan to plan the rest of your trip. Upper Kachura and Shangrila’s Lower Kachura sit together northwest of Skardu as a half-day lake outing.
Where to stay
Shangrila Resort is the classic choice, with cottages around Lower Kachura. Reported 2025 rates were about PKR 20,000–30,000 a night depending on season. A handful of small, family-run guesthouses sit near Upper Kachura, where you agree the price with the owner. Most budget travellers stay in Skardu, where guesthouses and simpler hotels ran about PKR 3,000–7,000 a night in 2025. Book ahead for July and August.
Kachura Lake trip costs (as of 2025–2026)
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Upper Kachura entry | Free |
| Shangrila Resort day entry | About PKR 500–1,000 per person |
| Boat ride | About PKR 1,000–3,000, depending on length; agree before boarding |
| Taxi or car, Skardu return | About PKR 3,000–5,000 |
| Shared van seat | PKR 500–800 (doesn’t reach the lakes) |
| Shangrila Resort, per night | About PKR 20,000–30,000 |
Safety and practical tips
- Cold, deep water: Upper Kachura is around 70 m deep and cold even in July. Don’t swim, and wear the life jacket if the boatman has one. See the water sports rules.
- The path: the walk down to Upper Kachura is short but uneven, and harder coming back up. Take it slowly with children.
- Winter ice: don’t walk on the frozen lake unless locals say it’s safe that day.
- Cash and signal: there’s no ATM at the lakes, and the signal is patchy. Carry cash from Skardu; see currency and cash in GB.
- Respect the village: Upper Kachura’s path crosses private fields and orchards. Don’t pick fruit, take your litter with you, and ask before photographing people.
Half-day plan from Skardu
- Early morning: drive to Upper Kachura for the still water, then walk down to the shore.
- Mid-morning: walk or drive to Shangrila, take a boat and have tea at the aircraft café.
- Afternoon: return to Skardu, or carry on to Shigar Valley and the Sarfaranga cold desert.
Nearby places
- Satpara (Sadpara) Lake: a natural lake, enlarged by a dam, south of Skardu on the road to Deosai
- Deosai National Park: the high plateau, open in summer only
- Basho Valley: forests and meadows near Skardu
- K2 Base Camp: the big trek, starting from Skardu via Askole
Choosing between the two lakes
If you only have time for one lake, pick by what you want from the visit. Upper Kachura suits people who like quiet water, a walk down through the orchards and an unhurried stop by the shore. Shangrila suits families and first-time visitors who want gardens, paths and the resort setting in one place. Most people see both anyway, because they are close together and fit easily into a half day.
The walk down to Upper Kachura
At Upper Kachura you leave the vehicle above the lake and walk down a path through the village. It’s not long, but it is steep in places and harder going on the way back up. Wear proper shoes, take water, and allow extra time if you have children or older relatives with you. The path passes fields and homes, so keep to it and greet people you meet.
Combining Kachura with other Skardu sights
Kachura sits beyond the airport, so it pairs naturally with an arrival or departure day when you don’t want to go far. It also combines well with an afternoon in Skardu town or a sunset at the Katpana cold desert. If your flight is delayed, Kachura is one of the easiest things to do without committing to a long trip such as Deosai.
Photography tips
The calmest water and clearest reflections usually come early in the day, before the wind picks up. Upper Kachura’s deep colour shows best from the higher sections of the path, looking down. At Shangrila the gardens and buildings make the frame, so a wider view works well. Ask before photographing people in the village, and keep drones away from homes and the resort.
Keeping the lakes clean
Both lakes get busy in summer. Take every wrapper and bottle back with you, don’t wash in the water, and leave picnic spots as you found them.
Kachura Lake FAQ
What is the difference between Upper and Lower Kachura Lake?
Upper Kachura, or Foroq Tso, is the wilder lake. It is about 70 m deep and reached by a short walk down from Kachura village. Lower Kachura is Shangrila Lake, inside the grounds of Shangrila Resort, with gardens, a restaurant and boats. Both are at about 2,500 m.
How far is Kachura Lake from Skardu?
About 25–30 km northwest of Skardu city, beyond the airport, or 30–45 minutes by car. A taxi or private car there and back cost about PKR 3,000–5,000 in 2025 reports.
Is there an entry fee for Kachura Lake?
Upper Kachura has no entry fee; you pay only for boats. Shangrila Resort charged day visitors about PKR 500–1,000 per person in 2025 reports. Confirm at the gate, as resort charges change.
Is Shangrila Lake the same as Lower Kachura Lake?
Yes. Lower Kachura Lake is widely called Shangrila Lake after Shangrila Resort, which opened on its shore in 1983. The name comes from the paradise in the novel Lost Horizon.
What is the best time to visit Kachura Lake?
April to October. Summer has the warmest weather and every boat running, while September and October bring autumn colour and fewer visitors. From November to March it is below freezing and Upper Kachura usually freezes.
How much is boating at Kachura Lake?
Reports from 2025–2026 range from about PKR 1,000–2,000 for a short ride to PKR 2,000–3,000 for an hour, on both lakes. Agree the price and the length of the ride with the boatman before you get in.
Which Kachura lake should I visit if I only have time for one?
Upper Kachura suits a quiet, natural lake visit, and Shangrila suits families who want gardens and the resort setting. Most people see both in half a day.
Is the walk to Upper Kachura difficult?
It is short but steep in places, especially on the way back up. Wear proper shoes and carry water.
Can I visit Kachura on my arrival day in Skardu?
Yes. Kachura is beyond the airport and only 30–45 minutes from Skardu, so it fits easily into an arrival or departure day.
When is the best time of day for photos at Kachura?
Early in the day, when the water is usually calmest and reflections are clearest.
