Cascade Resorts • Skardu • Ghanche
Katpana Desert: The Cold Desert of Skardu
In This Guide
About the Desert
Discover Katpana Desert in Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan
Getting There
How to Get There from Cascade Resorts
Drive towards Skardu
Travel about 36 km, around 1 hour by road, from Cascade Resorts.
Head for Katpana Lake
The most visited part of the desert is beside Katpana Lake, a few minutes from Skardu International Airport.
Walk onto the dunes
Park near the lake and walk out onto the sand for the best views.
Ride with experienced drivers
Light off road driving is possible, but only with a local driver who knows the dunes.
Add more desert views
Continue along the Shigar Road, which also passes through the cold desert towards Sarfaranga and Blind Lake.
Experiences
6 Things to Do in the Desert
Dune Trekking
Climb the golden white dunes for wide views of the valley and the mountains.
Jeep Rides
Take a light off road ride across the sand with an experienced local driver.
Camel Rides
Seasonal camel rides add a classic desert moment to your visit.
Katpana Lake
Relax beside the freshwater lake that sits right next to the dunes.
Photography Walks
Golden sand, blue water and snowy peaks make every frame different, especially at sunset.
Snow on the Sand
Visit in winter to see the dunes dusted with snow, a rare sight in any desert.
Plan Your Visit
Visiting Katpana Desert? Stay 36 km away.
Return each evening to riverside rooms, fresh meals and mountain views at Cascade Resorts.
Seasons
Best Time to Visit Katpana Desert
Be Prepared
Tips Before You Go
- Carry sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, as the sun is strong at this height.
- Bring warm layers, because temperatures drop quickly in the evening.
- Carry water, as there is little shade on the dunes.
- Only drive on the sand with an experienced local driver.
- Take all litter with you and keep the lake and dunes clean.
In Focus
A Closer Look
Keep Exploring
More Places to Visit Near Cascade Resorts
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
It is about 36 km, around 1 hour by road.
It sits at about 2,226 metres (7,303 feet) above sea level, which makes it one of the highest deserts in the world.
Winter temperatures fall below minus 17 degrees, and the sand dunes are covered in snow during winter.
May to October, when temperatures are pleasant. Winter is quiet, very cold and occasionally snowy.
It is a freshwater lake beside the dunes, close to Skardu International Airport, and the most visited part of the desert.
Plan Your Stay
Explore the Desert, Then Rest by the River
Shyok River Valley Road, Ghawari, Ghanche District, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
- Call us: +92 315 5554648
- Call us: +92 317 7468108
- Call us: +92 355 555 4648
Sunset Grill
Thorgu, Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan
- Call us: +92 315 555 4648
- Call us: +92 355 555 4648
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