Nine kilometers north of Skardu is Satpara Lake, which is famous for its unparalleled natural beauty that fairies used to come here. After a journey of about twenty minutes from Skardu, tourists reach the lake. And get lost in its enchanting beauty. It used to be just a lake, now it has become a dam. Boating on the lake is a lot of fun, as the water is very clear and cold.
Huts of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) for overnight stay here. Where the experience of staying is no less than a diomalai story. Because when the night envelops this area, it is so dark that the hands are not decorated and when you look at the sky, the stars look so bright and clear that the sight of them dazzles the tourists.
There are many famous stories about this lake in the area, one of which is that there was a gold mine in the bottom of the lake, which is why at one time this water looked golden in the daytime.
The lake receives water from a small drain from the Indus River, called the Satpara canal. It is 8,600 feet above sea level and covers an area of 2.5 square kilometers. The size of the lake has increased since the construction of Satpara Dam. The dam was completed in 2013 over a period of ten years and generates 17.36 MW of hydropower, which is supplied to 30,000 households in the Skardu Valley, irrigates 15,536 acres of land and provides 3.1 million acres to Skardu. Gallons of drinking water is provided daily. Thus, the construction of the dam has quadrupled agricultural production compared to the past.
The taste of fishing in this lake is something else, for this purpose tourists are provided fishing permits and fishing equipment. Where you can find delicious trout, which can be fried after hunting. Trout are so delicious that people remember their taste for years.
There are two ways to go to Skardu, the air route depends on the weather. There is a daily PIA Boeing flight between Islamabad and Skardu. The flight to Skardu is very thrilling and memorable, as the K2 and other peaks are clearly visible on this trip. The distance from Islamabad to Skardu by road is 793 km and the journey takes 24 hours. This route consists of the Silk Road and Skardu Road, and its journey is no less than an adventure. During which a lot of fun. Between Islamabad and Skardu there is a service of Northern Area Transport Company or other companies besides Natco's bus and coach service.
Gilgit-Baltistan's natural beauty is scattered all over the place and in summer season apricots are plentiful there, so much so that in any restaurant many apricots are served for free with breakfast and even evening tea. Tourists also pick apricots from trees and eat them.
Traveling all over Gilgit-Baltistan and especially to Satpara Lake and staying there for at least one night is an experience that leaves many memories behind.