Katpana Desert

The Katpana Desert (Biang-a Naqpo) or Katpana Biang-a or Cold Desert^[2] is a high-altitude desert located in Skardu Valley in District Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.^[1] The desert contains large sand dunes that are sometimes covered in snow during the winters. Situated at an elevation of 2,226 metres (7,303 ft) above sea level, the Katpana Cold Desert is one of the highest deserts in the world. While the desert technically stretches from the banks of Indus River in the south of Skardu to New Ranga Village in the north, the portion of the desert that is most frequented by tourists is located near Katpana Lake close to Skardu Airport.^[3]

Katpana Desert
Cold Desert
February 2016 photograph of the high-altitude desert, where sand dunes are seasonally covered in snow
Cold Desert Location within Pakistan
Floor elevation	2,226 m (7,303 ft)
Geography
Country	Pakistan[1]
Adm. Unit	Gilgit-Baltistan
District	Skardu District
Population center	Skardu
Coordinates	35.310522°N 75.590747°E / 35.310522; 75.590747

Climate

Temperatures range from a maximum of 27 °C (81 °F) and a minimum (in October) of 8 °C (46 °F), which can drop further to below −17 °C (1 °F) in December and January. The temperature occasionally drops as low as −25 °C (−13 °F).

Gallery

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References

1. "Government of Gilgit-Baltistan". Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2020.
2. "Sarfaranga Cold Desert". Guide To Pakistan. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
3. "PCAA | Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority - Skardu Airport". Retrieved 2 July 2023.