I
had never been to such a beautiful, clean and majestic lake. Qurumbar lake
(also spelled as Karumbar, situated in the north of District Chitral) is the 2nd highest lake in Pakistan and
stands 31st among world lakes. It is situated in the north east of
Boroghol (Boroghil) near Wakhan border and Ishkoman (Gilgit). It was September
18th. We, a team of three friends (Amjad, Hameed and Atta) started
at 8:30 am from our base camp at Ishkarwaz Boroghol Chitral.
From L to R: Hameed, Amjad, Atta |
We rode horses all the way
long. Our first stop was at Lashkargaz where we had a break and rest of some 30
minutes. It took about 3 hours ride from base camp (Ishkarwaz) to Lashkargaz. The
best thing is to set a second camp at Lashkargaz and have some good rest. But
we had time constraint and also the weather was very unpredictable. So, we kept
our journey going.
On the way to Lashkargaaz, Boroghol |
After a long & tiring yet curious trekking and horse
riding we reached at Qurumbar lake. It took us Four and Half hours to reach
Qurumbar Lake from Lashkargaz. Usually, it is advised that you should set another
camp somewhere on the way (or at Ghari, the pasture land) but we were too
curious to wait for that. We were all eager to see what’s ahead. On first sight
we thought we have arrived at the target but we found out by a closer look that
this lake is too small to be Qurumbar Lake. So we kept going and after another
half mile we saw a dark blue, magnificent and clean lake. This had to be the
lake of our search. So here we were! All the tiredness, the pain and the
efforts seemed to vanish when we reached the lake. Amajd was our team leader
and he enjoyed it to the fullest. We all went along well.
At Qurumbar Lake. Tired, Sunburned But Happy :) |
Qurumbar Lake is 14,121 feet above sea level (4321 meters).
You can’t see the end point of the lake by standing on one side. Informants say that it is
3.9 KMs long and some 2.5 KMs wide with a depth of 52 meters at the center. The
water is fresh and clean. Yaks of the inhabitants of Boroghol are found grazing
nearby the lake.
Yaks left for grazing near Qurumbar Lake |
The only human caused pollution we found were few old tin cans (of some cold drinks perhaps) left over by travelers. It seemed so that very few trekkers/travelers have been to that place. Those who have reached there have not camped there for stay and moved back or ahead to Ishkoman Gilgit. Ishkoman is on a 2 days trek from here as said the locals.
We were very tired. After having some bread with butter we
rode back and it was getting darker. We couldn’t reach Lashkargaz (camp 2) so
we stayed the night in the pasture land (Ghari). By 8:30 pm it was very dark and
our horses were very tired. A family was kind enough to accommodate us. They
made us tea and Sanabachi (a local food
made of wheat floor and animal fat). After having some pain killers we went
to sleep and early in the morning we were awaken by the Baa of goats. Something
different from cell phone alarms was good for ears I suppose. J
The next day we reached base camp and had some good rest. But when we got up early in the morning, September 20th, it was snowing so we hurried to our vehicles and rushed to lower Chitral.
Just when the snow fall started, did i dismantle my tent |
This trip was full of fun, learning, exploration and curiosity.
We were about to give up but the unexplored wilderness ahead of us kept us going
and we finally made it to the lake.
Taking the opportunity I would like to put forward some
suggestions for people who want to go to Qurumbar lake.
·
The best months to trek to Qurumbar Lake would
be June, July and August.
·
Don’t hurry and on the way to the lake set at
least 3 camps (at Ishkarwaz, Lashkargaaz and Lake) to fully enjoy the adventure.
·
Leave only foot prints behind. J
(For more on Boroghil, scroll down my previous posts of 2014).