The Katpana Desert , known also as Katpana Biang-a or Cold Desert, is a high-altitude desert located in Skardu Valley in District Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. 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.