The Sarfaranga Cold Desert
Pakistan has a lot to offer, especially for mountain lovers like we are. There are beautiful landscapes in general, but one we didn't expect: A high-altitude desert surrounded by some of the world’s biggest mountain ranges, sitting around 2500 meters.
Close to Skardu in Northern Pakistan
Our road led us through the Deosai Nationalpark, a high plateau on over 4000 meters, down to Skardu. Skardu is one of the most famous destinations of Pakistan, since it is the gateway to all K2 expeditions starting from the Pakistan side. Just outside of town lies the Sarfaranga Cold desert with huge sand dunes between some mountain peaks. The dunes aren’t random, they’re the leftover “memories” of rivers and glaciers, sculpted by wind and preserved by the dry mountain climate.
A place we could not miss
This is one of those places you’ve got to experience for yourself. Like so many spots in Pakistan, it’s one of our absolute favorites. Unlike a lot of other places in the region, it’s not overrun with tourists. It’s not polished, it’s not Instagrammed to death, it’s just pure, unrefined beauty.
It doesn’t need much explaining, this place is unreal. A stretch of white sand desert tucked between real high mountain peaks, quiet and cold enough that it sometimes freezes over and disappears under a layer of snow.
We’re definitely adding it to our list of must-see places on Earth. And honestly, for anyone who hasn’t been here yet, it deserves a spot on yours too. It’s the kind of landscape that doesn’t just look different, it makes you feel different.
Taking a moment to contemplate once more:
“I mean, look at WHERE WE ARE!“
No shoes works best in deserts 🙂
You can tell from her smile how much fun it is to drive around here with our car!
The VIEW, the COFFEE.
Probably THE perfect location for a nice outdoor coffee from No Normal. We just got the new no sugar flavor delivered from Switzherland – it’s real good!
This is where we set up camp on our first night. It started to get cold pretty quickly, but we didn’t notice the light breeze at first. That same breeze would turn into a full-blown sandstorm just a few hours later …
… a few hours later: had to pull down our roof tent, sleeping below. The car is shaking, wind is sand blasting our car. Cosy and tight 😀
It’s been a while since Florian had the chance to grill a sausage over a campfire– pure enjoyment.
