Handarap Lake
Handarap Lake Shonji Lake | |
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Handarap Lake Lake (2015) By Khesrau Hayat | |
Location | Koh-i-Ghizer, Ghizer District, Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan |
Coordinates | 36°04′05″N 72°32′46″E / 36.068°N 72.546°ECoordinates: 36°04′05″N 72°32′46″E / 36.068°N 72.546°E |
Type | Subglacial lake, reservoir |
Primary inflows | Ghizer River |
Basin countries | Pakistan |
Max. length | 1 kilometre (3,300 ft) |
Max. width | 0.754 kilometres (2,470 ft) |
Surface area | 44 acres (18 ha) |
Max. depth | 90 feet |
Settlements | Phander |
Handarap Lake (Urdu: ہندارپ جھیل, Khowar:شونجو چھت) is a high altitude water reservoir situated in Shandur Valley, Tehsil Gupis of, Ghizer, the westernmost part of the Northern Areas and northernmost territory of Pakistan. This lake is an important source of fresh water with full of Trout fishes. These fishes have come here from the nearest rivers in Handarap and Golaghmuli Valley. Handarap Lake is a not less than a miracles for the tourists.
Location
Handarap Lake is located in Handarap Nallah, Shandur Valley of District Ghizer, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The estimate terrain elevation above seal level is 3285 metres or 10777.6 ft from sea level. To reach in Handarap Lake, a person must take the Karakoram Highway from Islamabad to Gilgit. And then take Gilgit-Chitral road west from Gilgit, and then continue his journey straight towards Shandur. When it comes the village of Golaghmuli, one should be ready for the long hiking of Handarap Lake. He should take some rest in Shandur Guest House or in Abad Wali Tourist Hamlet. Both these hotels are located in Golaghmuli Village. It takes 4 hours from Golaghmuli to reach in Handarap Lake. One cannot take any bike or bicycle as there are bothering trek road to reach Handarap Lake. A person, after crossing many difficult treks, suddenly reaches at Handarap Lake, he never believe that such a beautiful place is located in Pakistan.
Handarap Lake is surrounded by high snowy mountains. These mountains are in different shapes i.e. Cone shape,[1][2][3] bamboo shape, cylindrical shape etc.