If you think you see enough of the beautiful places in Pakistan, well Phander Valley hidden in the Karakoram will surprise you for sure. When I first saw the images from the valley it seemed to me as they were photoshopped and enhanced. Because river waters are not usually this shade of bluish-green and no way there the valley so green.
Well, I was pleasantly surprised by the Phander valley even after being surrounded by so much beauty during my whole trip to the North of Pakistan.
Phander, a village in Pakistan’s Ghizer District famed for its quiet surroundings, snow-capped mountains, and the bright blue Phander Lake. This isn’t one of the hotspots for tourists yet and is a peaceful retreat from all that.
How to Reach Phander Valley
Nearly 6 hours of driving from Shandur Pass on a very rugged road you will reach Phander valley. The main highway goes right through the beautiful valley and I will assure you that throughout this ride you will make several stops to appreciate the beauty and take pictures.
If you are planning to go to Chitral and Shandur valley, add it to your stops as you move towards Gilgit or vice versa. Shandur Pass with Shandur Lake and Shandur Polo Ground is around 2-3 hours from Phander.
Another route to reach Phander is through Gilgit city via and Gupis. On this route it is a 6-hours drive to Pahnder valley. This route provides an opportunity to stop at Khalti lake. People usually make this their lunch or snack stop enjoy the lake for an hour before moving forward to Phander valley.
Phander Valley is a True Hidden Paradise
The village seemed like something out of a fairytale, and the weather is very pleasant during the summer and on the colder side after August. No tourists are anywhere in sight and it seems like a private retreat of the beautiful Phander valley.
If you have been to other beautiful places where you wished that there were fewer people than Phander valley is just that. And will remain like that for some years until tourists start flowing into the area.
Foreign travelers can easily visit Phander and the surrounding valleys. There are many hotels and guest houses in the valley and a few camping sites. If you choose to camp bring warm clothes for the evenings and nights as the temperature drops rapidly.
PTDC hotel in Phander is at a very beautiful location that overlooks the lake. It is an amazing experience to be at PTDC. Even if you choose not to stay there, you must go for a cup of tea or some fried fish from the lake.
Phander Lake
Nothing really prepares you for how beautiful and peaceful something will look and feel when you’re right there experiencing it. The lake is a beautiful blue color that will leave you spellbound surrounded by these amazing mountains. The lakes form several small streams and flow in the valley. I just sat there dipping my feet in the water and taking in the beauty and the calm that surrounded me.
Fishing in Phander
The lake has some of the best trouts and fishing is very popular. If you want to go fishing you will need a permit. Ask your guide or hotel management and they can help you out with getting in touch with the right authorities. It is not a long process or a hassle and usually requires just a yes from them.
The Phander Valley
The valley is so green and cows around the valley grazing freely in the green field. The cows crossed these streams as we approach the water to the small island of land within the stream. Many trees during the summer are half-submerged in these streams
Very few people and locals are insight as they are busy with their lives. It is best not to disturb the locals and intrude in their life just enjoy sharing in their experience of peace and beauty of nature.
And unlike other places throughout Gilgit-Baltistan, there’s not much to do in Phander, which is perhaps a turn-off for those in need of constant entertainment.
Phander is a place to simply enjoy the beauty of one’s surroundings, not somewhere you go to tick off items on a bucket list. It’s a place that only enjoys 2G cell phone reception- email, Facebook and Youtube certainly didn’t work there.
There are no buses, no restaurants, no noise: just peace. Something that both the villagers we met (and myself ) hope remains that way as Pakistan becomes more and more popular to the general public.
Though it’s more than clear that Phander is a paradise- it’s more than just it’s lakes. The village is home to some hiking opportunities, some of Pakistan’s most delicious trout, and as with most villages in the country: incredibly hospitable locals.
Nearby Areas to Explore
The nearby areas to explore are Hundaraap Village. the most famous is the high altitude lake called Hundarap Lake. It is a 4 hours walk from Hundarap village. At an altitude of 11900 feet, Baha Chhat is the biggest lake in the area. It is a 6-8 hours walk from Langer and should not be attempted without local guide.
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