Saidgai Lake | |
Other Name: | Saidgai Danda |
Pushpin Map: | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa#Pakistan#Asia |
Location: | Ushirai Dara |
Lake Type: | Glacial lake |
Inflow: | Glaciers water |
Outflow: | Ushirai Khwar |
Basin Countries: | Pakistan |
Length: | approx. 1km (01miles) |
Width: | approx. 0.5km (00.3miles) |
Elevation: | 11500feet |
Cities: | Ushirai Dara |
Saidgai Lake (Pushto; Pashto: سيدګۍ ډنډ;) also known as Saidgai Dand is a lake in the upper reaches of the Ushirai Dara within the Upper Dir District of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is located at an elevation of above sea level.[1] It is located to the northwest of Gabin Jabba. The temperature is normally between 5 °C and 10 °C during hot months. Primarily, this lake attracts tourists from Dir as well as other regions of the country, especially during the months of June, July, and August. For the rest of the months, the lake remains covered by snow. Saidgai lake is at the boundary of Dir Upper and Swat.
Saidgai Lake is situated in the hilly expanses of the Usherai Dara in Upper Dir. It is about 7–8 hours away by foot from Usherai Darra. Dwellers of both Dir and Swat claims the area comes under the Dir Upper's administration geopolitically. The lake is encircled by snowy mountains and pastures. The lake is approximately 1 km in length and half km in width, and its waters run into streams, later joining the Panjkora River of Dir.
The lake is accessible from three different trails and sides; Ushirai Dara, Upper Dir (shortest way) which is about 6 hours by foot, Sulatanr (Roringar Valley), Upper Swat and Lalko (Gabina Jabba); about 10 to 12 hours.
From Chitkarai, the distance by foot is around 4–5 hours.