Cold Desert, Skardu


The Cold Desert, also known as the Katpana Desert or Biama Nakpo, is a high-altitude desert located near Skardu, northern Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan administered Jammu & Kashmir. The desert contains expanses of large sand dunes that are sometimes covered in snow during winter. Situated at an elevation of 2,226 metres above sea level, the Katpana Desert is one of the highest deserts in the world.
The desert technically stretches from the Khaplu Valley to Nubra in Ladakh, but the largest desert area is found in Skardu and Shigar Valley. The portion most visited is located near Skardu Airport.

Climate

Temperatures range from a maximum of and a minimum , which can drop further to below in December and January. The temperature occasionally drops as low as.

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