Could there be some aspect of the natural beauty that is missing form this stunning landscape!
That was my first impression when I took a picture of the breathtaking Katora Lake, nestled in the Kumrat valley in the fabled northwest of Pakistan.
There is the azure reflection of sky and low-hanging clouds in the crystal clear lake water, the flowering plants around it, lush green trees hovering all over the place, the snow-adorned mountain tops, a serene dream like setting for every visitor, be it a hiker, a tourist, a child, a senior citizen.
Add to this the naturally bowl-shaped scene that makes the lake a mesmerizing haven at 8,100ft above sea level, away from the furiously fast city life.
In Pashto and Urdu languages a bowl is called Katora, something commonly known to everyone and that gives visitors a first fresh breath of familiarity.
Katora is an alpine glacial lake that receives water from the glaciers around it. The melting snow on the rooftop brings it incredibly clean water. The precise location in the heart of Jehaz Banda meadow of Kurmat Valley in Khyberr Pakhtunkhwa province makes the lake a sought-after and accessible destination for visitors from thee area, capital Islamabad and Punjab.
That is particularly true with young people seek adventure and turn to Nature’s grooves in spring, summer and early fall before snowfall brings freezing weather. However, the Lake still remains a hidden gem, an unexplored place of beauty and freshness.
