Hiking to Lake Doodipatsar, Pakistan

Doodipatsar lake surrounded by snow covered mountains in Kaghan Valley, Pakistan

Hiking is an aerobic activity that gets your heart pumping and muscles moving. It helps reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers. Hiking which burns calories and can help you lose or maintain weight targets and strengthens the quads, hamstrings, gluts and calf muscles for a challenging workout. Hiking allows you to explore nature, set aside everyday stresses and demands and stimulates the feel-good chemical hormones of adrenaline and endorphin to boost your mood and energy levels. Hike is a healthy activity, especially when you spend some time away from the routine life and get fully involved into it.There is a world that is totally different from this technology aware life. You have time to get closer to the nature, the nature to which we belong to and I think it is necessary to go for outing to keep routine life going.

A scenic view of the Doodipatsar Lake

Doodipatsar Lake is one of the beautiful lakes of Kaghan Valley. Encircled by snow-clad peaks the lake is located in Lulusar Doodipatsar National Park at extreme north of the Kaghan Valley in northern areas of Pakistan. The word “Doodi” means white, “pat” means mountains and “sar” means Lake, this name has been given to the lake because of the white snow at surrounding peaks. The water is a beautiful greenish blue, hue and very cold, at an elevation of 12,500 ft. The surrounding mountains, with snow patches in the shady dales, average around 15,000 ft (4,800 meters) in elevation.The natural habitat is in the Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows eco-region. The lake and its wetlands habitats are of significant ecological importance for resident fauna and migratory waterfowl. Some of the park’s fauna includes the Marmot, Weasel, Lynx, Himalayan Snow cock, and the Snow Partridge.

Hike Planning

We had listened much about the splendor and attractiveness of Doodipatsar Lake, and were very anxious to visit the place. Google earth is a great tool to explore unseen sites. So we collected proper maps and track route to the Lake, a plan was made to hike this miraculous Lake Doodipatsar. After getting the list of all participants, a meeting was arranged so that necessary arrangements could be planned.

A panoramic view of lake

 Hike leader, gave us a brief introduction about the hike and we had a brief intro about each other. He also told us about necessary luggage to take during hike. The luggage for hike was issued from Hiking and Mountaineering Club and distributed among all the members. We took necessary medicines and all the other required items prior to hike. Leaders equally distributed the combined items such as stove, eatables and camps etc. We prepared our bags and were ready to move for the hike. 

Following was the formal plan of hike:

Table-I Hiking Plan

Fig 01: Hike route map

Introduction

Hiking is an aerobic activity that gets your heart pumping and muscles moving. It helps reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers. Hiking which burns calories and can help you lose or maintain weight targets and strengthens the quads, hamstrings, gluts and calf muscles for a challenging workout. Hiking allows you to explore nature, set aside everyday stresses and demands and stimulates the feel-good chemical hormones of adrenaline and endorphins to boost your mood and energy levels. Hike is a healthy activity, especially when you spend some time away from the routine life and get fully involved into it. There is a world that is totally different from this technology aware life. You have time to get closer to the nature, the nature to which we belong to and I think it is necessary to go for outing to keep routine life going.

Doodipatsar Lake is one of the beautiful lakes of Kaghan Valley. Encircled by snow-clad peaks the lake is located in Lulusar Doodipatsar National Park at extreme north of the Kaghan Valley in northern areas of Pakistan. The word “Doodi” means white, “pat” means mountains and “sar” means Lake, this name has been given to the lake because of the white snow at surrounding peaks. The water is a beautiful greenish blue, hue and very cold, at an elevation of 12,500 ft. The surrounding mountains, with snow patches in the shady dales, average around 15,000 ft (4,800 meters) in elevation. The natural habitat is in the Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows eco-region. The lake and its wetlands habitats are of significant ecological importance for resident fauna and migratory waterfowl. Some of the park’s fauna includes the Marmot, Weasel, Lynx, Himalayan Snowcock, and the Snow Partridge.

Hike Planning

We had listened much about the splendor and attractiveness of Doodipatsar Lake, and were very anxious to visit the place. Google earth is a great tool to explore unseen sites. So we collected proper maps and track route to the Lake, a plan was made to hike this miraculous Lake Doodipatsar. After getting the list of all participants, a meeting was arranged so that necessary arrangements could be planned.

Hike leader, Bilal Ahmed, gave us a brief introduction about the hike and we had a brief intro about each other. He also told us about necessary luggage to take during hike. The luggage for hike was issued from Hiking and Mountaineering Club and distributed among all the members. We took necessary medicines and all the other required items prior to hike. Leaders equally distributed the combined items such as stove, eatables and camps etc. We prepared our bags and were ready to move for the hike.

Day-1 Friday, 28^th August

We communicated all the members to reach Peer Vadhai Bus Stand, so all participants gathered there, from there we boarded on a coaster. The journey started from Rawalpindi at 1830 HRS, all members were fresh and in enjoying mood, gossips and jokes were among the activities in the van. It was a bit warm all the luggage was loaded and tightened firmly on the roof of coaster.  The evening darkness was prevailing and we were observing the reddish sky through the windows of the coaster. Participants were a bit tired because of the rush to reach the designated stop and managing all the required items for the hike. The fact was that we were not familiar to each other so we started an introduction session, each member gave a brief introduction about himself and thus we all had a little summary of the participants.

After a journey of 4 hours we reached Mansehra, all the members were hungry so we located a restaurant in Mansehra and ate our dinner there. The dinner gave us energy so the environment of the coaster changed and the members were enjoying and shouting at the beat of music.

Hike participants enjoying the dinner

As we were travelling towards Balakot there was a change in the atmosphere, it was getting a bit cooler. After a journey of two hours we reached Balakot at 1230 HRS.

We spotted a roadside hotel at the bank of Kunhar River, the rooms were empty so the owner booked the rooms with a nominal price. The hotel view was splendid, there was a hut in the lawn of the hotel and a big giant mountain at the back of the hotel, crossing the lawn there was road to Balakot and beyond the road there was River Kunhar flowing in its full swing. It was 13^th nigh moon and was on top of the mountain when we reached hotel. We placed our luggage in the rooms and came out for gossip in the cold night even though we were tired a lot after a lengthy travelling. There was a beautiful moon view almost full moon night, there was a feel of calmness while sitting under the hut, we gossiped there and then went to the river bank.

A beautiful view of river Kunhar in the morning, indeed it was a fresh morning

The noise of water flowing was tremendous and it was looking amazing in the moon lit night.After visiting it for a while we were back to our rooms to get a healthy sleep so that we can wake up fresh, the next morning.

Mountains in Balakot as seen in the morning

Day-2 Saturday, 29^th August

We woke up early near 0500 HRS and went for morning walk towards the river bank, there were chairs placed at the river bank, morning view with the river waves were awesome. We sat there and enjoyed the peacefulness and freshness of the natural environment.

When you visit these places one thing everyone observes, is the cleanliness and freshness of the environment. Literally one feels the fresh air into the lungs. We sat there for some time and then came back to the hotel, the hotel owner was charging very high rates for the breakfast so we decided to delay our breakfast till Balakot city.

River Kunhar flowing through the city of Balakot

We got a van from a nearby hotel, it had a seating capacity of eighteen persons but we were twenty two people, so we had to accommodate so unwillingly we adjusted in that van. We soon reached Balakot, there we spotted a restaurant for breakfast. While other members were doing breakfast, the leaders went out to gather some food items for preparing breakfast and dinner in Besal and Mulla Ki Basti. We departed from Balakot city at 0930 HRS, it was a very steep road with dangerous turns, at some places the road was also damaged by land sliding.

We stopped at Rajwal for a while we took snaps and collected water, the journey resumed again. The drive towards Naran started again and after passing various towns like Paras, Mahandari, Rajwal and Kaghan we reached Naran at 1300 HRS.

Travelling through the city of Naran

At Naran we stopped to wait for the bus which comes from Mansehra and travels towards Jalkhad, it came at 1330 HRS and we all put our luggage at roof of the bus and rode on the bus. It was 1400 HRS when we started our journey, the weather suddenly changed as we departed from Naran, it started to get cooler, people were wearing warm clothes and a sense of winter season came into our minds while we were heading towards Besal.

The Tree-lrdd montains near Besal

There were no mobile courage ahead of Naran. Places like Batakundi Barwai, Jalkhad came while we travel towards Besal from Naran. After a ride of three and half hours we reached Besal. It was a bit cooler there, first of all we wore warm clothes and looked for camping site. There was local police officials who were prohibiting us for camping. So unwillingly we asked the local hotel person there for night stay, he allotted us two large size camps for night stay by charging a minor price.

The road to Besal

We all shifted our luggage in the camps and started our trekking towards Lulusar Lake, this lake is situated at the roadside so it is not difficult to reach there. But we all trekked towards the lake and reached lake after a hike of 45 minutes. It was late evening there, we took snaps there and came back. 

Participants in public transport enjoying their journey

There was a police mobile van there, they told us to go back to Besal as early as possible as it was not safe to be there late at night. It was full moon night, but moon was not appearing because of the mountains, these mountains are tree less and one can observe the mountain curves in the night. Suddenly far mountains on the west side started to glow because the moon light was touching them, but still moon was out of sight. After a long wait moon appeared from the east side of mountains, it was a wonderful view, all the environment glittered when the moon appeared. 

The Lulusar Lake

It was a very stunning, and blood warming scene. High mountains, full moon night, silence, no mobile, no electricity, it was a fully natural outlook, this place had a lot for people who listens the voice of the nature. I am getting short of the words to explain the beauty of that night. We asked the restaurant person to prepare our dinner, and we gathered around the woody fire, it was severe cold there. We were sitting near the fire and heating our body, the warmth feeling was giving us comfort. 

Road to Besal

All the participants were hungry, after a wait of one and half hour, the dinner was ready, and it was 20000 HRS when we ate our dinner. After that one of the hike participants prepared tea and served all the members. After taking the tea maximum of members got to their camps to sleep because it was a tiring journey from Balakot to Besal. Some of the participants gathered around wood fire and chattered. They gathered around fire till 1130 HRS, they listened music and gossiped and enjoyed the beauty of nature. All were in their camps after a while.

Day-3 Sunday, 30^th August 30

Our day started after waking up early, after getting fresh by freezing cold water of the stream, we prepared our breakfast.

Tea was prepared and the eating stuff was distributed among the hike participants. It was worth mentioning here that the security officials was not letting us to start hike towards Doodipatsar lake because of the Prime Minister visit to the lake, there was a high security in the Besal and also in the track to the lake. After a long argument, they let us to start our hike, but they asked us not to go ahead of Mulla Ki Basti. So we started our hike after praying dva.

Participants have to cross this freezing cold river at the startup of hike

Hike leader and deputy leader addressed all the participants and told them the precautionary measures that were needed during the hike. The hike started at 0930 HRS, at the startup there is a wired bridge containing a manual lift, the deputy leader helped all participants to cross the stream. It was also a unique and first adventure of its kind for all of us.

Participants crossing the river with the help of rope and pulley mechanism

After crossing we entered into a mountain range walking on the bank of the stream coming from Doodipatsar Lake. After a hike of thirty minutes we had to cross the stream again, the water is very fast and the stones in the water are slippery so it is wise to cross it without wearing the shoes. We all stayed there until the last member crossed the stream. 

During the hike participants climbing up the mountain

One hike leader was at the front of the summit and one at the last so that it is ensured that all the members are safe. It is also worth mentioning here that most of our hike members were new, so we had to take extra care of all the arrangements. After crossing the stream it is wise to stay on the right side of the stream, because there is no proper track to the left side of the stream, also there are large sized stones, which make it very difficult to trek. Some of our members were on the left side of the stream so, they had a very tough time to come to the right side. There was security officials in the way, they were patrolling because of PM visit. When were in the mid-way, we saw a white plane going towards the hills, a security official told us that this is PM’s plane.

Grazing horses near Mulla Ki Basti

The trek is a bit tough because of large stones. After a hike of 7 hours our first member reached Mulla Ki Basti at 1530 HRS. There was a tense situation there, because the police officials there were advising us to return to the Besal, they were saying that it is not safe to stay at night here, there are chances of theft and life. 

Heard of goats and sheep near Besal

It was very difficult to decide what to do at that situation, but we had to decide, it was difficult to go back because night could be prevailed any time, and the track was not safe to travel at night.  People were also so much tired that they couldn’t go back. So we waited and gathered all the members and told them the whole situation, after a comprehensive meeting and getting point of view of all members, we all agreed to stay at Mulla Ki Basti. Now it was difficult to get security in the camps, and the Basti people were also telling us that it will not be safe to do camping there. We talked to Basti people and asked them to arrange some place for our night stay, so that it will be safe. They allowed us to stay in two of their wooden huts, they also agreed to provide us security for the night.

Beautiful track view near Besal

It was icy cold there, in the hustle of whether to stay here or go back, we forgot to wear warm clothes, due to the change in the weather, everyone was feeling sickness, we got to the huts and got out our sleeping bags. Suddenly rain started, and we all got more tense, it was worst condition one can have in a hike. Everyone was laying on the floor shivering with cold, it was 1900 HRS. We got out the cooking stuff and started to cook. Everyone was feeling coldness and sickness, we cooked rice and served to all the members. They were not willing to dine but we forcefully gave them food so that they can get their energy back. 

In a mud made hut at Mulla Ki Basti

We then prepared tea, everyone took medicine with tea and slept. In the night it was very cold, and the Basti persons told us that snow fall has started. There was an adventurous scene at night there, we were lighting a gas lamp, everyone was sleeping, while a Basti official was tuning the Radio, there were old songs that were played, the tune of the Radio sometimes got loud when the radio catches the signals and it remains for a while and after sometime it is slowed down again, remembering me old days when I was a child and my grandfather used to listen to Radio. The lightening of the clouds and rain sound was presenting a horrible scene. One of the leaders also awake till all the night to ensure the security. It was a hostile night, we woke up at 0530 HRS.

Day-4 Monday 31^st August

We woke up at 0530, thanks to Almighty everyone was fine, no one fell ill and nothing bad happened. We took necessary items and started the hike to explore our dream lake. The rain was also stopped, but it was amazing morning there, the dry peaks of the mountains were snow covered now.

Hike start from Besal to Doodipatsar

It was the first snowfall of the season. We didn’t knew how the cows were grazing up on the peaks that were looking dangerous to climb. 

Hike start from Besal to Doodipatsar

It was a beautiful morning we were looking tinny in the sky high mountains, there were grassy meadows in the center of two mountains with a stream flowing in the mid.

Heard of goats and sheep near Besal

 It is advisable to be on the left side of the stream while going to the Doodipatsar Lake from Mulla Ki Basti, because the trek to the right is steep and dangerous. It will also be fine if you manage to get nearer to the stream bank, one will not have to climb up to the mountain, and following the stream you will be taken to the lake.

The splendid Lake Doodipatsar

The first site of the lake was amazing, we all forgot the laborious hike, we were shouting with joy after watching the lake. It was blue, clean, stunning, greenish, blood warming, soulful and charismatic view. We were very happy that we were managed to reach our goal. Personally as a writer, truly speaking I have never seen such a beautiful lake. The good thing about the lake is its cleanliness, it is not easy accessible so it is neat and clean. The hills around the lake were all covered with snow, and it was also a morning view so we explored the lake in its peak beauty.

At lake Doodipatsar

One admires the beauty of the nature and embraces the Creator who has created such beauty, no doubt He is the One who can create such wonders.  We reached lake at 0730 HRS stayed there for half an hour and came back to the Basti at 0900 HRS. 

A panoramic view of Lake Doodipatsar

We took our breakfast there, we ate the night left our rice and also the Sheermalls with tea, and after packing our baggage we started our back journey at 1000 HRS. 

Coming back from Lake

We reached Besal at 1430HRS, two jeeps were arranged till Naran and amazingly we reached Naran in one hour from Besal. Then we loaded rucksacks on the jeep and our journey to Naran started. Everyone was tired but happy because of successful completion of hike. The jeep journey is always adventurous, and we were enjoying the beautiful view of the mountains and fresh atmosphere. There were children on their way back to homes after school. Their school dress with cap inspired us a lot. They were waving hands and greeting us with smile, we also replied them in the same way. This feeling made us please, the people and the atmosphere was awesome. Due to more number of participants we rode on two Hiaces, and reached Mansehra at 2000 HRS. We booked a coaster from there and got our dinner near Abbottabad. We reached Rawalpindi at 0300 HRS.

Suggestions:

1.      It is difficult to manage such high number of Hike members, so it is advisable that the maximum number of participants be in the range of 15 to 18.

2.      It is advisable not to trek Doodipatsar after 30^th August because of the weather conditions.

3.      Remain on the right side of the stream, while starting the hike and on the left side of the stream beyond Mulla Ki Basti.

4.      Weather forecast is necessary to be known because weather can spoil your plan.

5.       Warm clothes are necessary because it can be severe cold at heights, when reaching at the top wear warm clothes urgently to remain fit.

6.      Keep general medicine along with you.

7.      Hikers may de-track so hike in at least groups of two to three people, it will be good if a persons who know the track lead and a person stay at the ends of the group.

8.      The snow may be slippery in this time of the year, so don’t compromise on the shoes.

9.      While travelling on jeep, don’t stand above the roof level of the jeep, because there are trees branches which may hit you.

10.  While camping don’t put any eatable waste near you throw them a bit farther of your camping place.

11.  Be sincere with the environment and collect any waste with you and if you cannot put the waste bags with you, burn them there.

12.  After moving from a place or sleeping at night make sure that the fire is properly shut down.

13.  There are hardly any homes there so make comprehensive arrangements to avoid any catastrophic situation.

14.  Make proper planning and if there are new members tell them the whole scenario about hike.

15. Properly coordinate with all the members for the items necessary during hike, as there is less communication between the members, there are people who left some important items behind, and some take too much luggage which disturbs them during hike.