Phander Lake (also spelled Phandar, and known locally as Nango Chatt) is a small, deep turquoise lake at about 2,800–2,900 m beside Phander village in the upper Ghizer valley of Gilgit-Baltistan. It lies about 170–190 km west of Gilgit, a 5–7 hour drive via Gahkuch and Gupis on the Gilgit–Shandur road. Seeing the lake is free. Rowing boats from a local family were reported at PKR 300–500, and a shared jeep from Gilgit costs about PKR 800–1,200 a seat. The best season is May to October, when the road is open, the guesthouses are working and the water is at its most vivid.
This page covers the lake itself. For the villages, trout rivers, Handrap, Teru and the full road from Gilgit, see the Phandar Valley guide. Details were checked in October 2026; prices and road conditions change, so confirm them locally.
Phander Lake quick facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Altitude | About 2,800–2,900 m (roughly 9,200–9,500 ft) |
| Location | Phander village, upper Ghizer valley, at about 36.173° N, 72.947° E. It falls in the newer Gupis-Yasin District, long counted as part of Ghizer |
| From Gilgit | About 170–190 km, 5–7 hours by road via Gahkuch and Gupis |
| Size | Reported as about 900 m long and 460 m wide, roughly 16 hectares |
| Depth | Reported as up to about 44 m |
| Entry | Free |
| Best months | May to October; September is the quietest and clearest |
| Good for | Slow days by the water, photography, rowing, trout and a night stop on the Gilgit–Chitral road |
What makes Phander Lake special
Phander is a small lake, but it’s one of the most intensely coloured in the north. On a calm morning the water shades from emerald at the edges to deep blue in the middle, and the poplars, willows and bare ridges beyond are mirrored almost perfectly.
What you won’t find is the noise: no jet skis, no loudspeakers and no rows of stalls. A few boats, the PTDC motel on the rise above the shore, a handful of guesthouses and the village fields are about all there is. Many people stop for an hour on the Shandur road, but it’s worth staying the night, because the lake is at its best at first light and in the evening.
The lake is known locally as Nango Chatt (chatt is the Khowar word for a lake), and the people of Phander mostly speak Khowar. Trout live in the lake and in the Ghizer River that flows past it.
How to reach Phander Lake
- To Gilgit: fly from Islamabad when the weather allows, or come by road on the Karakoram Highway or, in summer, over Babusar Pass. See airports serving Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Gilgit to the lake: follow the Gilgit–Shandur road west through Gahkuch and Gupis, past Khalti Lake. A 2026 guide describes it as paved to Phander apart from a few rough, flood-prone sections, so an ordinary car can manage in summer.
- Shared transport: shared jeeps and vans leave Gilgit in the morning. In 2026 a seat to Phander was reported at PKR 800–1,200, and the trip takes 4–5 hours or more. NATCO runs a seasonal Gilgit–Chitral service that passes the lake; see NATCO and private bus access.
- From Chitral: in summer, come over Shandur Pass and down through Teru.
Things to do at the lake
- Watch sunrise from the shore: the water is stillest early, before the wind picks up.
- Look down from the motel hill: the rise where the PTDC motel stands gives the classic view of the whole lake with the village fields behind.
- Take a rowing boat: a local family hires out boats, reported at PKR 300–500 in 2026. Agree the price and time first, and ask for a life jacket.
- Fish for trout: you officially need a fishing licence. Ask your guesthouse, which can usually arrange one and lend you a rod. See the Phandar Valley guide for the best river stretches.
- Camp, with permission: some visitors pitch tents by the shore with the landowner’s permission. Read the camping rules first.
Best time to visit
- April–May: guesthouses reopen; it’s quiet, with blossom, but nights can drop below freezing.
- June: wildflowers and long days. In 2026 the Shandur Polo Festival was held on 11–13 June, and every room near the lake fills that week.
- July–August: warm, busy and fruit-laden, but also monsoon months; floods cut the road more than once in 2026.
- September–October: clear skies, autumn colour, very few visitors and cold nights. Most travellers think this is the best time.
- November–March: the lake can freeze and most guesthouses close. Only come if you have a local contact.
For the wider picture, see the best time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan.
Phander Lake costs (as of 2025–2026)
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Lake entry | Free |
| Rowing boat | About PKR 300–500 (2026 report) |
| Shared jeep, Gilgit to Phander | About PKR 800–1,200 a seat |
| Private jeep, Gilgit to Phander | About PKR 8,000–14,000 for the vehicle |
| Basic guesthouse room | About PKR 1,000–2,500 a night, often with meals |
| Mid-range room (PTDC, lake resort) | About PKR 3,500–8,000 a night; expect higher prices in festival week |
| Fishing | A licence is needed; ask your guesthouse or the Fisheries Department |
Where to stay
Places to stay are few and simple. The PTDC motel on the hill above the lake has long been the best-placed option. It was out of use for a while after earthquake damage, and a 2026 guide lists it as working again, so check before you go. There’s also a lakeside resort and several family-run guesthouses with home-cooked meals. Book ahead from June to August, and especially in Shandur festival week, when prices are reported to double. Gupis and Gahkuch have more choice if Phander is full. See the accommodation overview.
Safety and practical tips
- Floods: in July 2026 floods swept away a bridge at Yangal on the Gilgit–Shandur road; the NHA reopened it on 24 July using a diversion. Ghizer was hit again in August. Check the road before leaving Gilgit, and don’t drive after heavy rain.
- Cold water: the lake is cold and deep. Don’t swim, and see the water sports rules.
- Cash, fuel and signal: bring cash from Gilgit, as there are no reliable ATMs in Phander, and fill the tank in Gilgit or Gahkuch. Mobile signal is weak; SCOM usually works best. See currency and cash in GB.
- Respect the village: ask before photographing people, dress modestly and pack out your litter. See visitor customs and dress.
A simple plan
Leave Gilgit early, stop at Khalti Lake near Gupis, and reach Phander by mid-afternoon for an evening walk and the view from the motel hill. Be at the water at sunrise the next day and take a boat out, then explore the valley or carry on over Shandur if the pass is open.
Nearby places
- Phandar Valley: the villages, trout rivers, Handrap and Teru around the lake
- Khalti Lake: the long river lake near Gupis, about 2 hours back towards Gilgit
- Shandur Pass: the world’s highest polo ground, 2–4 hours west by jeep
- Ishkoman Valley: the quiet side valley north of Gahkuch
- Ghizer: the district guide for the whole road west of Gilgit
Phander Lake FAQ
Where is Phander Lake?
Phander Lake is beside Phander village in the upper Ghizer valley of Gilgit-Baltistan, on the Gilgit to Shandur road. It is about 170 to 190 km west of Gilgit and is often listed under Ghizer, although it now falls in the newer Gupis-Yasin District.
How far is Phander Lake from Gilgit?
About 170 to 190 km, or 5 to 7 hours by road via Gahkuch and Gupis. A shared jeep seat was reported at PKR 800 to 1,200 in 2026, and a private jeep at PKR 8,000 to 14,000 for the vehicle.
What is the altitude of Phander Lake?
About 2,800 to 2,900 m, or roughly 9,200 to 9,500 ft. Nights are cold even in summer, so bring a warm layer.
Is there an entry fee for Phander Lake?
No, the lake is free to visit. Rowing boats from a local family were reported at about PKR 300 to 500 in 2026, and trout fishing needs a licence.
When is the best time to visit Phander Lake?
May to October. June and July are the greenest but busiest, especially in Shandur festival week. September and early October bring clear skies, autumn colour and very few visitors. Most guesthouses close in winter.
Is Phander Lake the same as Phandar Valley?
No. Phander Lake is the small turquoise lake beside Phander village. Phandar Valley is the wider stretch of the upper Ghizer valley around it, with villages such as Phander, Handrap and Teru and the trout waters of the Ghizer River.
