Chitta Katha Lake Trek
One of the longest hiking treks in Azad Kashmir is the Chitta Katha Lake trek located in the Shounter Valley of Azad Kashmir at an altitude of 13500 ft (4100 m). It is an alpine glacial lake that has a depth of about 200 ft and covers an area of about 1 km.
Chitta Katha Lake is about 20 km (12 mi) away from Kel in the Neelum District of Azad Kashmir or you can say Kel is the base camp to it. This 20 km distance from Kel to the Lake is a Jeep track then your hiking trek starts which is about 5 km (3 mi) to reach your destination.
To explore Neelum valley's best scenic landscapes is a dream of all tourists not only in Pakistan but all over the world, which makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Chitta Katha Lake's importance for Hindus
Here is the complete guide to travel from Islamabad to Kel via Muzaffarabad and things to do in Kel. Chitta Katha Lake is known as a sacred place for the Hindu religion followers because they consider this lake as the abode of one of their gods named Shiva.
Kel to Chitta Katha Lake
The road condition towards Lake from Kel is in bad condition so it's better to hire a four-by-four jeep that will charge about PKR 3500 to 5000 ( 20 to 30 dollars) and drop you at lake's base camp in about 3 to 4 hours.
Hiking at Chitta Katha Lake
The track to reach Chiita Katha lake is as difficult as it is beautiful, so you should prepare for it before you start your journey. From its base camp, you have to start your journey downward first as it is located other side of the spring that is flowing in the feet of the mountains.
See also:
Places to visit in the Neelum Valley
There is a block of a wood-made small bridge made by locals to cross this spring, after crossing it your real hiking trek will start and will lead you to Deck one. The distance between base camp to deck one is about 3 km that will take about 4 to 5 hours to cover because it is very steep and there are many rocky stones.
Chitta Katha Lake deck one
If you started your journey as per my recommendations you will reach Chitta Katha Lake's deck one by crossing its base camp in the evening where you should stay for a night. Because if you tried to go there on the same day that would be put you in trouble as there is are lack of facilities ahead, so you should stay here.
Chitta Katha Lake deck two
The second option is you can continue your journey till deck two of the same if you feel comfortable as it is located at a distance of about 45 minutes hiking. But I strongly recommend you not to go and stay at Chitta Katha lake at night as severe weather could put you in trouble if you are not prepared for it.
Facilities at deck and base camp
At base camp and decks of Chitta Katha lake, you can get all basic necessities of life like accommodation in tents, delicious food to eat, hot tea with some tasty Pakoras, and fries at a nominal price. Or you can get your tents along with you to stay there.
Hire a guide
This place is not so famous for tourists and not many tourists come here that's why there is lack of footsteps of tourists on track path towards Chitta Katha lake and more often tourists lost their way to Chitta Katha lake. So if you could hire a guide you must take him with you or follow my tip.
Tip to reach your destination instead of getting lost
My tip is when you reach deck one of Chitta Katha lake you will see so many waterfalls and springs all around, so you must follow the largest one and keep trekking towards it. This will look small from far but your common sense will tell you which one is the largest one.
Is Chitta Katha Lake worth visiting?
By crossing this waterfall the great and striking Chatta Katha Lake will welcome you open-heartedly with all its beauty and stunning views. The whole lake is surrounded by glaciers and icy peaks and colorful flowers on the lush green field add to the beauty of the lake.
Things you should carry
You must carry chocolates, biscuits, and other snacks along with you to eat but got remember not to leave your wastage or garbage there. Along with this, you must carry jackets and shawls because if you even go in summer this place will give you a cold atmosphere.
Double pair of socks, waterproof joggers, hiking sticks, rain-coat, sun-blocking creams are also highly recommended.
Conclusion
This lake is so charming, beautiful, and fascinating that when you get there you forget all your fatigue and hard work that you did till you came here. Flying clouds like cotton in the blue sky, snow-capped mountains between these clouds, and the blue-colored Chitta Katha lake at the foot of these mountains surrounded by colorful flowers in the lush green field is an example of its beauty.