The weariness of a long, serpentine journey into the upper Kaghan valley quietly fades the moment Saiful Malook and Ansoo lakes emerge from behind snow-draped peaks of Malika Perbath, carrying a spellbinding and timeless beauty for tourists to explore.
With fresh snowfall forecast for weekend, tourists have begun pouring into the region, chasing winter’s magic, fairytale legends and the simple joy of sipping hot tea after tasting the famed brown trout of the north of KP.
On Sunday, adventure lovers along with families thronged Naran and Kaghan, where Saiful Malook’s blue-green waters reflected a pale winter sun, soothing tired minds and souls.
As snowflakes may settled gently on the surrounding mountains, daily worries seemed to dissolve into the crisp mountain air in Saiful Malook.
Known as the Lake of Fairytales, Saiful Malook wraps visitors in an aura of peace and serenity that is often compelling them to return again and again, this time with children, elders coupled with mouthwatering food cuisines.
Steeped in folklore, the oval-shaped lake is forever linked to the legendary romance of Prince Saiful Malook and the fairy princess Badri-ul-Jamala, a tale immortalized by Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh.
During winter, the lake perched at 3,224 meters above sea level and spread across 1.06 square miles transforms into a white wonderland. The Met Office predicted moderate to heavy snowfall at Kaghan that will add charm of Saiful Malook, drawing domestic tourists eager to witness nature at its most dramatic mood during snowfall.
“Saiful Malook is my ideal tourist destination because of its peace, serenity and intense snowfall,” said Nasir Khan, a property dealer from Wapda Town Peshawar, who arrived with his family to experience the snowfall magic.
Nearby, his children laughed as they kicked football by trying practicing their first tentative ski slides after returning from the lake.
Sumbal Riaz, an economic expert said that Pakistan has the capacity to generate an annual revenue of $30-40 billion via tourism through its diverse landscape, lakes, mountains and various offerings.
She said Pakistan’s tourism revenue is experiencing rapid growth, projected to hit over $4 billion in 2025, up from roughly $1.3 billion in 2023, driven by infrastructure, government promotion especially religious and mountains tourism, and global interest, with forecasts suggesting it could reach $7 billion by 2030, creating a significant economic boom.
“The beauty of Kaghan was beyond my imagination,” Nasir said, adjusting his Chitrali woolen cap and overcoat. “After the tiring journey from the plains, stepping into Saiful Malook feels like entering a dream-almost a fairy world.”
Fed by glaciers from Malika Parbat to the northeast, the lake’s waterfalls that is more visible in summer leave an enduring impression on hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. However, many believe winter lends Saiful Malook a quieter but a more spiritual beauty.
Nowshera born tourist Umar Khan who, visited the lake for the second time and his first winter trip, agreed. “This place has everything-legend, natural beauty and relatively better road connectivity compared to other lakes of KP,” he told APP.
He encouraged families to spend time at Saiful Malook before venturing onward to the snow-covered Ansoo and Dudipatsar lakes by jeep or horseback, while advising visitors to carry warm clothing due to plunging temperatures.
Beyond Saiful Malook, Kaghan Valley hosts a constellation of alpine lakes that continue to enchant adventure seekers.
These include the tear-shaped Ansoo Lake which is considered among the highest in the Himalayan region at 4,126 meters along with Payala, Siri, Dudipatsar and Dudibach Star lakes, each offering a unique blend of solitude and splendor.
However, amid the growing tourist influx, concerns over environmental degradation persist. “Saiful Malook is the identity of Pakistan,” Umar lamented. “But seeing garbage and plastic bags scattered around these pristine lakes is heartbreaking.”
He urged the Kaghan Development Authority, Wildlife Department and district administration to enforce cleanliness and adopt international practices, such as restricting vehicle access near lake shores and developing parking areas away from sensitive sites.
Tourism officials say steps are underway to balance promotion with preservation. Spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism and Culture Authority, said several lakes and dam sites including Khanpur, Tanda and Tarbela are being developed for ecotourism and adventure sports.
Mahodand lake in Swat is being transformed into a model ecotourism resort under a project featuring walking tracks, wooden boats, camping pods and improved visitor facilities.
Saiful Malook itself has been declared a national park spanning 12,026 acres. A project has been approved to construct a parking complex and entrance gate, procure maintenance equipment and establish wildlife staff offices.
Under the Protected Areas Initiative, dedicated wildlife officers will oversee conservation to protect the lake’s fragile alpine ecosystem.
As winter tourism gains momentum, the provincial government is also planning sports and cultural events across northern KP, including winter galas, skiing competitions, rafting and paragliding festivals.
For visitors arriving amid falling snow and swirling legends, Saiful Malook remains more than a destination. It is a shared human experience of wonder, nostalgia and quiet joy etched against the white canvas of Pakistan’s northern mountains.