Shahzor Lake in Kumrat Valley
Shahzor Lake Kumrat Valley is located at an altitude of approximately 11,900 feet
above sea level. This beautiful lake is accessible through a straight 9-hour
trek from Dojanga Kumrat Valley. Chitral can be seen on the backside of the
high hills. We had set up two camp sites in the middle, Charot Banda and
Shahzor Banda, which was very accommodating. There was a place where the path
was completely blocked due to the melting of the glacier, and the terrifying
river was obstructing the way. However, due to the guidance of our local guide
and the hotel owner, Mr. Rahman, our team was able to cross the glacier through
an alternate route and finally reach the banks of Shahzor Lake. The trek was
very rocky. This lake only swells up a few times a year and otherwise remains
dry. We arrived here at the right time window.
Shahzor Lake is a hidden but beautiful lake in Kumrat Valley. To
see this beautiful lake, you have to first come to Kumrat. From Thall village,
a jeep type vehicle can go up to Dojanga, after which there is a pedestrian
track. After a ten-minute climb from Dojanga, there is a smooth path that leads
to Charrot Banal after a 20–25-minute walk.
Two paths lead from Charrot Banal, one towards Shahzor and the
other towards Kashkin Pass, which takes about 20-25 minutes to reach Ezgalo
Banal. After that, approximately 30 minutes later, you reach Ghorshai Banal and
then after a one-and-a-half-hour journey, you reach Shahzor Banal. This entire
area is a natural beauty. There is a straight and smooth path from Kumrat to Shahzor.
Shahzor Lake is located at a distance of approximately 50 minutes
from Shahzor Banal. This is a beautiful lake surrounded by wildflowers, and it
is said that the most wildflowers in this area, from Kumrat to Shahzor Lake,
are found in Kumrat. This is also evident from the view as all colors of
wildflowers can be seen here. After 30 minutes from Shahzor Lake, there is a
fork in the path...
Chorot Banal is located 20-25 minutes ahead of Easgalo Banal. After
that, approximately 30 minutes later, there is Gorshai Banal and then after a
journey of one and a half to two hours, Shahzor Banal is reached. This whole
area is a rich natural beauty, and there is a straight and smooth road from
Chorot to Shahzor. About 50 minutes away from Shahzor Banal, there is Shahzor
Lake. It is a beautiful lake with wildflowers growing along the shore. Elders
say that the most jungle flowers are found in this area from Chorot to Shahzor
Lake, and it is true as well. Here you will find jungle flowers of all colors.
After 30 minutes from Shahzor Lake, there is a turn in the road, and after a
two-hour journey, you will reach the top. There is a small lake with the top,
which our people call Sar Lake, and on the other side of it, there is another
small unnamed lake. There is a very large glacier between both of these lakes,
and after a ten-minute journey over it, you will meet another small lake. After
about 30 minutes of travel from this lake, Longot Lake is reached. It is a very
large lake which our people call Kol Sar. Kol means long and Sar means lake.
Two hours away from there is a lake called Kak Jheel, and two hours
further is the area of Laspur in Chitral. There are no hotels in this area, so
it is necessary to bring food, drinks, and camping gear for spending the night.
The local Gujjar people, who live here with their livestock, are extremely
peaceful and cultured, so you need not worry about security issues. After
continuous walking for one and a half hours along the banks of Kol Sar, there
is a narrow valley ahead, where the water of Kol Sar turns into a waterfall and
flows towards Chitral. From here, you have to descend down.
