Glacial Katora Lake with floating ice below snowy peaks above Jahaz Banda, Upper Dir

Upper Dir, Kumrat & Katora Lake Trek

For trekkers: the quiet valleys of Upper Dir, a night camping at Jahaz Banda and a sunrise hike to the glacial Katora Lake.

Duration5 days · 4 nights
DifficultyChallenging
Group size2 – 12
StartsIslamabad
Rating4.9 (38 reviews)

Overview

For trekkers: the quiet valleys of Upper Dir, a night camping at Jahaz Banda and a sunrise hike to the glacial Katora Lake. Best travelled July – September.

Islamabad
Dir
Sheringal
Kumrat
Jahaz Banda
Katora Lake
Islamabad

Trip highlights

Gateway to Kumrat
Sheringal and Thall lead into the Kumrat valley.
Upper Dir
Lowari Tunnel route
The scenic link road to Chitral under the Lowari Pass.
Upper Dir
Kumrat Forest camping
Riverside camps under giant deodar and blue pine.
Kumrat Valley
Jahaz Banda meadows
A 3,100 m alpine plateau of wildflowers and shepherd huts.
Kumrat Valley

Best months

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Islamabad → Dir
Drive north and explore Dir bazaar.
Day 2Dir → Kumrat
Through Sheringal and Thall to forest camp.
Day 3Kumrat → Jahaz Banda
Jeep and hike to the meadows. Camp night.
Day 4Katora Lake summit
Early trek to Katora Lake (≈ 3,500 m), return to Kumrat camp.
Day 5Return to Islamabad
Drive back south.

What's included

Included

Transport + 4×4 jeeps
Camping gear and porter support
Breakfast & dinner, packed trek lunch
Trek leader
Entry fees and toll taxes

Not included

Lunch, snacks and personal shopping
Jeep rides, boating or activities marked as optional
Travel insurance
Anything not listed under 'included'

Photos

What travellers say

Every detail was handled — from the Attabad boat ride to the room with the Rakaposhi view. Our guide knew every family in Karimabad.

AAyesha R.Lahore

I travelled solo and hired a guide for eight days. Safe, flexible and genuinely fun. He changed the plan twice for better weather and light.

DDaniel M.Manchester, UK

Our honeymoon was perfect. Clean hotels, a punctual driver and a surprise bonfire dinner by Mahodand Lake. Highly recommended.

HHamza & SanaKarachi

Frequently asked

Where do your tours start?

Most departures start and end in Islamabad or Rawalpindi. We can also pick you up from Lahore, Peshawar or Gilgit/Chitral airport on request.

Is northern Pakistan safe for families and solo travellers?

Hunza, Gilgit, Swat, Chitral, Kumrat and the Galiyat welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. We monitor road and weather conditions daily, travel with experienced drivers and keep a 24/7 support line open throughout your trip.

What is the best time to visit the north?

April–May for blossom, June–August for high meadows and lakes (Kumrat, Kalam, Naltar), September–November for golden autumn in Hunza and Chitral, and December–February for snow in Murree, Nathia Gali and Malam Jabba.

Do foreigners need a special permit?

Most of our routes need only a valid Pakistani visa. A few border areas require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC); our team arranges it for you when your itinerary needs one.

How do I confirm a booking?

Send an enquiry or WhatsApp us. We confirm availability, share the final itinerary and invoice, and hold your seats with a 30% advance. The balance is paid before departure.