The Cold Desert, also known as the Katpana
Desert or Biama Nakpo, is a high-altitude desert located near Skardu,
in Pakistan's northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. The desert contains
expanses of large sand dunes that are sometimes covered in snow during winter.
Situated at an elevation of 2,226 metres (7,303 feet) 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.
Temperatures range from a maximum of 27 °C
(81 °F) and a minimum (in October) 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).