Pakistan has several natural hot springs worth building a detour around: Tatta Pani in Azad Kashmir, Murtazabad in Hunza, Garam Chashma in Chitral, and Chutron in Skardu's Shigar valley. Each sits in a different region with its own access, water temperature and bathing set-up, so this is less a single trip than four separate reasons to stop.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Tatta Pani (Kotli, Azad Kashmir) | About 26 km from Kotli; surface temperature around 60°C |
| Murtazabad (Hunza) | First village of central Hunza; several springs, 35–94°C |
| Garam Chashma (Chitral) | Lotkoh valley, about 2,550 m altitude; sulphur springs |
| Chutron (Shigar valley, Skardu) | About 40 km / 2 hours by jeep from Skardu; four springs, 50–70°C |
| Bring | Sandals, a towel, a change of clothes, modest swimwear |
Tatta Pani, Kotli (Azad Kashmir)
Tatta Pani is a village in Kotli district, about 26 kilometres from Kotli town on the Poonch river. Its geothermal spring has a surface temperature of around 60°C, and it is one of Pakistan's better-known thermal sites, long used locally for skin conditions and rheumatic complaints. There are simple bathing facilities built around the spring rather than a developed resort.
Kotli sits away from the immediate Line of Control area, but the UK government currently advises against all but essential travel to Azad Kashmir outside a 10-mile strip along the LOC itself, so check the latest position before travelling and confirm locally that the route and the site are open. Our Kashmir travel guide has more on planning a trip to the region.
Murtazabad, Hunza
Murtazabad is the first village of central Hunza, just off the Karakoram Highway, and sits above a cluster of several thermal springs on the bank of the Hunza river. Recorded water temperatures at the site range widely, from around 35°C up to close to boiling at 94°C at the hottest points, so not every spring here is one to sit in. Facilities are basic and informal rather than built up as a bathing complex; ask locally which pool is safe and comfortable to use.
Its location on the main highway through Hunza makes it an easy stop rather than a dedicated excursion. Our Gilgit-Hunza guide covers the rest of the valley.
Garam Chashma, Chitral
Garam Chashma, literally "hot spring," is a valley in Lotkoh, northwest of Chitral town, at around 2,550 metres, among the highest permanently settled areas in the Hindukush. The sulphur springs here are locally believed to help with skin conditions, gout and headaches, and the valley is also known for trout fishing in its streams.
This is a longer detour than the others, off the Chitral to Mastuj road, and best treated as an overnight stop or a full day out from Chitral town rather than a quick stop.
Chutron, Shigar valley (Skardu)
Chutron sits in the Shigar valley, about 40 kilometres and roughly two hours by jeep from Skardu, at an elevation of around 2,400 metres. The site has four separate springs within a small area, with water temperatures between about 50°C and 70°C, hot enough that some pools need diluting with cold stream water before you get in.
It's easily combined with a Shigar valley day trip alongside Shigar Fort and the surrounding villages, and is one of the more accessible hot springs for visitors already based in Skardu.
Bathing etiquette and what to bring
Facilities at all four sites are modest, local and not run as tourist spas, so treat them accordingly:
- Modest swimwear is expected. Bring a change of clothes; shorts and a T-shirt work for most people, and mixed bathing is not always the norm, so ask locally about arrangements for women in the group.
- Test the water before getting in. Some pools run genuinely close to scalding, and temperatures vary between pools at the same site.
- Bring sandals for walking on hot, wet or uneven ground around the springs, and a towel, since none is provided.
- Respect any local management. Some sites have a small entry contribution or a caretaker; ask rather than assume it's free and unmanaged.
- Anyone with heart conditions, low blood pressure or who is pregnant should be cautious with prolonged soaking in very hot water, as with any hot spring worldwide.
Who this suits
Hot springs work best as a stop within a wider trip rather than the reason to travel somewhere on their own, with the possible exception of Chutron and Murtazabad, which sit close to routes most northern-areas visitors already take. Garam Chashma and Tatta Pani ask for more of a detour and suit travellers with a specific interest in geothermal sites or who are already spending time in Chitral or Azad Kashmir respectively.
Frequently asked questions
Are Pakistan's hot springs safe to bathe in?
Generally yes, but water temperatures vary a great deal between and within sites, some running close to boiling. Test the water and ask locally which pools are suitable for bathing before getting in.
Is Chutron easy to visit from Skardu?
Yes. It's about 40 kilometres and around two hours by jeep or car into the Shigar valley, and combines well with a visit to Shigar Fort.
Do hot springs in Pakistan have separate bathing for men and women?
Arrangements vary by site and are often informal. Ask locally before you arrive, and bring modest swimwear regardless.
What is Garam Chashma known for besides its hot spring?
The Lotkoh valley around it is also known for trout fishing, and it's one of the higher permanently inhabited valleys in the Hindukush.
Is it safe to visit Tatta Pani in Azad Kashmir right now?
Kotli district, where this Tatta Pani sits, is outside the immediate Line of Control strip, but the UK currently advises against all but essential travel to Azad Kashmir generally. Check current advice and local conditions before setting out.
