The Katpana Desert, also known as Biang-a Naqpo, Katpana Biang-a or Skardu Cold Desert, is a high-altitude desert located in Skardu Valley in Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Situated at an elevation of above sea level, the Katpana Desert is one of the highest deserts in the world. The desert consists of large sand dunes that are covered in snow during the winter. 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 International Airport.
Climate Temperatures range from a maximum of and a minimum (in October) of , which can drop further to below in December and January. The temperature occasionally drops as low as .
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See also Sarfaranga Desert
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