An extremely bewitching attraction is Khalti Lake situated in the Tehsil Punial of Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. The lake itself is formed by a natural stretch of the Gilgit river, also known as the Ghizer River, near the village of Khalti.
The Khalti Lake was formed in living memory when a glacial lake high in the mountains burst as the glacier retreated. The flood-water brought down masses of material and caused havoc. The flood was very big and engulfed half of the Khalti village. And the rubbles and stone dammed the river and formed the Khalti Lake.
Flash floods and glacial lake outbursts in the region are a huge risk and many people lose their lives, homes, and lands in such disasters. The river has cut itself a channel through the moraine and is gradually deepening it and flowing into the main river. People had hoped that once the lake had cut through the moraine and started flowing their lands will be present underneath. There are no records of the flood or detailed information about the incident. But the local will tell you that it happened and they lost everything.
The villagers of Kalti lost their land but it is replaced with this beautiful lake. An entry point to the amazing valleys and lakes that follow. The lake is so quiet and there in eerie silence around it.
The PTDC is actually built on a glacial moraine ridge by the river. The hotel is on a magnificent site overlooking the river valley.
This lake is an important source of freshwater and is full of the much-in-demand trout. Originally, the trout were put into the River Ghizer near Golaghmuli Village. Trout stocks increased in number and have reached almost every part of Gupis Valley.
The water of the lake is extremely cold which flows directly from surrounding glaciers. The lake freezes in the winter season and people can easily walk on it. Khalti Lake is perched up at about 2,217 metres (7,274 ft) from sea level.
The thick surface of the 95 feet deep and 1 km long Khalti lake provides an opportunity to the children and elders of the Khalti village to dance, play football, cricket, polo, and volleyball and enjoy the ice skating. The lake is surrounded by mountains of the Hindukush range which makes the view more beautiful. The place is famous for its peace and silence. One can hear the sound of birds clearly. In summer season one can enjoy boating and fishing while in winter the lake is frozen
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