The Rundown

Daral Lake, which is high above the beautiful Gabral Valley in Swat, is one of Pakistan's most beautiful but less well known mountain sights.When you look at this mountain lake, the emerald-green waters reflect the snow-capped mountains and glaciers that surround it, making it very beautiful to look at. 

Daral is a small step into the wild nature, without the crowding of other places such as Mahodand or Kundol Lake. The lake is very high up, so it's a real secret that can only be enjoyed by dedicated trekkers and adventurers who are ready to make the tough hike to the alpine meadows and rocky areas.

Location & Accessibility

Daral lake is located about 40 kilometers around the famous hill station known as Kalam within the upper side of Swat.The trip begins with a beautiful ride to Gabral Valley, where tourists must book a local jeep to take them to the starting point of the trekking. At Gabral, the path is resumed by foot, by a good but strenuous track which passes through Ladu village, and then to the lake. 

Such an expedition lasts between 4-6 hours, again, depending on fitness and weather. The path passes through thick forests of the Alps, along flowing streams, and along massive outcrops through which the hiker is compensated with spectacular views of the valleys. You should have a small group of local guides and porters to keep yourself safe since the terrain is usually rough and the weather is hard to predict. 

The access roads are also seasonal with snow, and landslides often obstruct routes during winter seasons thus virtually isolating the lake between the months of November and April.

Best Time to Visit Daral Lake

Its best season to visit is during June to September when the roads are open and the trekking paths have no snow. In May, the meadows are already flushed with color, which is also in bloom during late spring in May but the snow that has fallen may still be lingering along parts of the trail. The summer months specifically July and August are the most suitable times because the days are warm, skies are clear and the green landscapes are colorful and make photography a masterpiece. 

The climatic conditions at this time of the year are favorable; hence camping under the heavens of stars and enjoying the full beauty of the lake. Autumn, between September and the very beginning of October, is a contrasting phenomenon, that is at least equally intriguing, with golden meadows, less tourist traffic, and cold mountain air, but nights are much colder. It is impossible to pay for winter visits because of poor weather conditions and total road blocking.

Things to Do at Daral Lake

The lake has a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Trekking along scenic trails in the alpine forests with wild flowers and having astonishing mountain views is the main activity. When you camp by the lake, you can capture a moment that will last a lifetime, you can wake up to beautiful sunrise scenes in the turquoise water. Trout fishing is popular as well, although simple gear and fishing licenses are required. 

It is the paradise of any photographer and they seem to have running opportunities of trapping all the varying hues of the lake, which vary between dark sapphire blue to bright emerald green according to the conditions of lighting and time of the day. The location is exceptional in night photography as well as stargazing with very little light pollution as well as crystal-clear mountain air. The coastal areas are crowded with picnics and different families and groups enjoying the traditional meals and hot tea and relaxing under the serene environment.