Winter magic returns to Saiful Malook

The fatigue of a long, winding journey into the upper Kaghan Valley quietly melts away the moment Saiful Malook and Ansoo lakes emerge from behind the snow-clad peaks of Malika Parbat, revealing a spellbinding, timeless beauty that continues to captivate visitors.

With fresh snowfall forecast for the weekend, tourists have begun flocking to the region in search of winter's magic, fairy-tale legends and the simple pleasure of sipping hot tea after savouring the famed brown trout of northern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

On Sunday, adventure enthusiasts and families alike thronged Naran and Kaghan, where the blue-green waters of Saiful Malook reflected the pale winter sun, soothing weary minds and souls. As snowflakes gently settled on the surrounding mountains, everyday worries seemed to dissolve into the crisp alpine air.

Known as the Lake of Fairytales, Saiful Malook envelops visitors in an atmosphere of peace and serenity, often compelling them to return time and again, this time accompanied by children and elders, and drawn by the region's rich and mouth-watering cuisine. Steeped in folklore, the oval-shaped lake is eternally linked to the legendary romance of Prince Saiful Malook and the fairy princess Badriul Jamala, a tale immortalised by the renowned Sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh.

During winter, the lake, perched at an altitude of 3,224 metres above sea level and spread across 1.06 square miles, transforms into a pristine white wonderland. The Met Office has forecast moderate to heavy snowfall in Kaghan, which is expected to further enhance the charm of Saiful Malook and draw domestic tourists eager to witness nature in its most dramatic winter mood.

"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 magic of winter. Nearby, his children laughed as they played football and attempted their first tentative ski slides after returning from the lake.

Sumbal Riaz, an economic expert, said Pakistan has the potential to generate annual tourism revenues of $30–40 billion owing to its diverse landscapes, lakes, mountains and wide-ranging attractions. She noted that the country's tourism revenue is growing rapidly and is projected to exceed $4b by 2025, up from around $1.3b in 2023, driven by improved infrastructure, government promotion, particularly of religious and mountain tourism—and increasing global interest. Forecasts suggest the figure could reach $7b by 2030, creating a significant economic boost.

"The beauty of Kaghan was beyond my imagination," Nasir said, adjusting his Chitrali woollen cap and overcoat. "After the exhausting journey from the plains, stepping into Saiful Malook feels like entering a dream, almost a fairy world."

Fed by glaciers flowing from Malika Parbat to the northeast, the lake's cascading waterfalls, most prominent in summer, leave a lasting impression on hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Many, however, believe that winter bestows upon Saiful Malook a quieter, more spiritual beauty.

Umar Khan, a tourist from Nowshera visiting the lake for the second time and experiencing it for the first time in winter, agreed. "This place has everything: legend, natural beauty and relatively better road connectivity compared to other lakes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa," he said. He encouraged families to spend time at Saiful Malook before venturing onwards to the snow-covered Ansoo and Dudipatsar lakes by jeep or horseback, while advising visitors to carry warm clothing due to the plunging temperatures.

Beyond Saiful Malook, the Kaghan Valley hosts a constellation of alpine lakes that continue to enchant adventure seekers. These include the tear-shaped Ansoo Lake, considered among the highest in the Himalayan region at 4,126 metres, along with Payala, Siri, Dudipatsar, and Dudibach Star lakes, each offering a unique blend of solitude and splendour.

However, amid the growing influx of tourists, 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, the Wildlife Department and the district administration to enforce cleanliness measures and adopt international best practices, such as restricting vehicle access near lake shores and developing parking facilities away from environmentally sensitive sites.