Clear water
Turquoise among boulders.
Hrana782 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Farhanmehdi32 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Imran Ashraf — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Awais Ch — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Farhanmehdi32 — CC BY-SA 3.0
Upper Kachura Lake, known locally as Foroq Tso, is a clear lake in Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, in the Karakoram. It sits at about 2,500 metres, about 24 km in a straight line from central Skardu. The lake is 70 metres deep, its water reaches about 15 degrees in summer, and the surface freezes solid in winter. The upper Indus River flows nearby at a lower level. Its beauty has stayed largely untouched because of the rough way in, and Western Himalayan conifer forest surrounds it. The water is clear turquoise, framed by green trees and huge boulders and mirroring the high rocky mountains. Small wooden boats wait on the shore for trips, and in places trees stand flooded in the green water. The way in includes a short walk, so wear suitable shoes. Lower Kachura, or Shangrila, lake is close by, and the two make an easy trip from Skardu.
Turquoise among boulders.
Trips on the lake.
High rock reflected.
Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Yes, the surface freezes in winter.
Lower Kachura (Shangrila) lake.