Astore Valley
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Banak La
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Bubin Pass
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Burzil Pass
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Chilim
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Das Khiram
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Dashkin
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Eid Gah
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Gorikot
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Gudai
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Gutumsar
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Harchu
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Harpo Pass
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Kalapani
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Kinibari
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Mazino Pass
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Minimerg
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Parshing
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Rama Lake
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Riat Lake
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Rupal
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Tarshing
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Photo Gallery||
Area Map||
Hotels||
Fairs||
Find Distances||
Treks
Astore
was carved out of Diamer District in 2004. The district headquarter is
Eidgah the previous tehsil headquarter. Astore valley has a moderate climate
during summer. In winter it can snow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in the main
valleys and up to 2-3 feet (60-0 cm) in the mountains. In Mirmalik valley
it snows up to 6 feet in February.
Astore
valley, adjoining the eastern side of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), is about
120 km long and 5,092 sq. km in area. The entrance of the valley is located
about 60 km southeast of Gilgit with four side-valleys. The valley has
more than 100 villages with a total population of 71,666 (Census 1998.
Some of which are Chilm, Bubin, Gorikot, Eid Ghah, Fina, Bulen, Chongra
and Tari Shing. Chilm is the most beautiful village among all the villages
of Astore, because it is the starting point of Deosai, the world's second
highest plane. The majority of people practice subsistence agriculture
and livestock is the main source of livelihood complemented by seasonal
work in down districts of the country. Due to its diverse landscape and
climatic conditions the valley provides excellent habitat for a variety
of commercially important medicinal plants.
Astore
Valley is located in Astore District in the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
The valley is located at 35°2'20.30?N , 75°6'36.91?E at an altitude
of 2600m. The best time to visit is May to October.
Popular
Attractions:
Astor
lie at the junction of several mountain routes, providing ample and varied
trekking opportunities, including many short walks through this beautiful
area. Tracks head eastwards from the Bulashbar area, up towards the wild
but beautiful Deosai Mountains and Plains. To the north west, a trekking
route leads to the Muthat Pass and continues on to Fairy Meadow. In the
southwest, Rupal valley provides numerous opportunities for short
and long treks. Rama lake is a must see! Accessibility: Astore is connected
to Gilgit which is well connected by air with Islamabad( weather dependent)
and by road with Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Skardu and Chitral. You can take
a flight to Gilgit from the capital of the country and drive to Astore
from Gilgit on metalled road.
There
are a number of attractive places in Astore which have a range of tourist
spots and places to see. Rama valley is located in Astore approximately
112 KM from Gilgit, 56 Km from the KKH at jaglot and 134 KM from Skardu
via Deosai plain. The region includes a range of high altitude mountains
and ecologically falls in to the transition of alpine to dry temperature
zones.
Rama
is home to some famous species like: ibex, musk deer, snow leopard and
rock partridge .The area is also considered to have plethora of medicinal
plants. This valley offers a number of tourist attractions including:
sight seeing, trekking, wild life, forest, glaciers and above all the
beautiful Rama Lake which is spectacular and eye catching.
Rama valley with lush green pastures and tall pine trees is an ideal camp
site for the independent travellers. The inhabitants of Rama valley are
also very hospitable and friendly. They are motivated to promote environment
friendly tourism in their area. Thareshing is yet another interesting
place for tourists. It is 42 kilometres away from district headquarters
Astore. It has a jeepable road and leads up to Rupal and Mazino pass.
Thareshing glacier and zipur are places of interest here. In Rupal, a
wooden water channel has been constructed about 500 -600 years ago. From
main Astore, jeep can also be hired to get to Rupal. This place is at
a distance of 18 KMs from Astore headquarters. Nanga Perbat Inn is the
nearest hotel.
Banak
la is located in Perishing Gutumsar valley in
Astore approximately 160KM from Gilgit, 70 Km from the KKH at jaglot and
20 KM from Skardu via shargunthang. The region includes a range of high
altitude mountains, eco systems and ecologically falls in to the transition
of alpine to dry temperature zones. Like Rama Valley, Gutumsar valley
is home to variety of fauna such as ibex, musk deer, snow leopard and
rock partridge. Medicinal plants are also found in abundance. Besides
other attractions, this area is famous for Urdoung Lake.
Mazino
pass offers a strenuous trek to Gandokoro la which is located
between district Astore and District Diamer. Mazino pass is also used
as base camp to scale Nanga Perbat 8,125 meter. It is one of the highly
attractive 10 days trek for adventure lovers. It's route heads west up
to the Rupal gah and crosses the mazino la 5400 meter to zangot and buner
valley down to KKH. It is situated at 42 KMs from Astore headquarters.
Kinibari is yet another beautiful tourist point of district Astore. It
is situated about 6 KMs on up hill side from district head quarters Astore.
Kinibari is celled 'Little Deosai' as there are lakes,
glaciers and green plains. It is a highly attractive 5-days trek for adventure
lovers. It's route heads west up to the Nowgam and crosses the technical
daulunig 5000 meter to perishing and Bobin valley to Deosai road.
Harpo
pass is 25 KMs from district headquarters Astore and is situated
in Perishing valley. Harpo pass is the best and short link between Astore
and Skardu (Roundo). The distance from Gutumsar perishing Astore to Skardu
is only 30 KMs. The pass is at an altitude of 3,500 meter. The high snow
capped mountains and glaciers are all around the pass. It is a 3-days
trek. Gutumsar NAPWD Rest house is the nearest accommodation facility.
Bubin
pass is 30 Km from district headquarters Astore and is situated
in Gudai valley. It is famous for its natural beauty
and provides yet another link between Astore and Skardu (Shurgarthang).
The distance from Bubin Astore to Skardu is only 35 Km. The pass is at
an altitude of 4000 meters and is surrounded by high snow capped mountains
all around. There is a large grassy, undulating plain which is awesome
and the streams flowing across the valley give a spectacular view. It
is a reasonable five days' trek. One of the most beautiful areas of Astore
is Kala Pani. It is quite famous for variety of medicinal plants. This
valley offers a number of tourist attractions including: wild life, beautiful
sights, trekking opportunities and the spectacular scenes of forest, glaciers
and above all the beautiful Riat Lake.
Kala Pani valley with its lush green pastures is an ideal camp
site for independent travellers. Like other parts of Northern Areas, people
in Astore are also fond of playing free style Polo. Astore valley can
be reached through Public transport which can be availed from Gilgit/Jaglot
on the main Karakoram Highway. Astore travel services and Rama transport
company run a daily service from Gilgit to Astore. Astore to Rama can
be easily trekked or a jeep can also be hired. The distance from Astore
to Rama Lake is 15 Kms. The nearest hotel/accommodation facilities are
Rama PTDC and NAPWD Rest House. While travelling to Astore, it is best
to register at the office of Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Director
Tourism office at Astore. Their offices are situated at district head
quarter Eidgah and Gorikot Astore.
Places
of interest:
Astore
lies about the massive base of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest peak in the
world. To the south of the Nanga Parbat massif lies Rama Valley, which
is home to Rama Lake, with basic facilities for visitors. It has a hotel
called the PTDC, constructed by the government of Pakistan. Astore valley
is a unique area for tourists to visit, surrounded by the high peaks of
the far western Himalaya. Nearby the two river junction the village Louze,
papular for apples,aprikot, cherry and other fruits especially the wild
almond oil. Louze a small village with litresy rate of about 95%, the
only biggest power house for electricity supply up to 1000 kW to whole
district approx since 1987, nearby Louse a peaks include Nanga Parbat,
Shaigiri, Rupal Peak, Chongra Peak and Laila Peak (Rupal Valley). Astore
Valley ascends from the Indus River Valley near Jaglot, Pakistan. Deosai
plains are the highest plateau in himalayas and are most picturesque with
a bowl shapped lake ,wild flowers,and a habitat of brown bear.The easiest
route from Astore is via,Gorikot,Gudai,Chilim and then a track leads to
this area with little steep hike.Its been declared a Natural park ,a special
status to preserve its fora and fauna.
Rupal
Valley:
The
Rupal Valley is located in the Astore District of Pakistan's Northern
Areas. It lies just south of 8,126 meter Nanga Parbat and is popular for
treks to the mountain's Rupal Face, one of highest mountain faces in the
world. Rupal Village is located in the valley at 35°13'38.76?N 74°42'26.60?E?
/ ?35.2274333°N 74.7073889°E? / 35.2274333; 74.7073889. The Rupal
is home to Shina speaking herdsmen, who have grazed and harvested wood
in the valley for hundreds of years. Overgrazing has caused some loss
of vegetation, leading to wind-blown dust. Towering peaks on either side
of the valley make it a breathtaking, albeit remote destination for adventurers.
Most treks to the Rupal Valley begin in the village of Tarashing, located
at the southwestern terminus of the Astore Valley.
Peaks near
Rupal Valley:
Nanga Parbat
Rupal Peak
Shaigiri
Laila Peak (Rupal Valley)
Mazeno Peak
Tarashing:
Tarashing is a small
town and a sub-division of Astore District, Northern Areas (Pakistan).
It is considered the gateway to Nanga Parbat. It has five shops, two schools,
a small wooden hotel and a small medical center. A large glacier beside
the Rupal river is also a part of this beautiful town.
People:
The people living
in Tarashing are very cooperative and hard working. Pure natural mineral
water and fresh vegetables and fruits are available in this town for locals
only. However, in winter, because of freezing temperature, there are no
arrangements to get benefit from these facilities.
Visiting:
Because
of bad weather and unavailibility of basis needs, you should not trust
any medical facility available in this town. Before you plan to visit
Astore Valley, make all necessary arrangements and get enough information
about these areas either from tourism companies or trusted porters.
Gutumsar
Valley:
Gutumsar
valley is a very beautiful place with tall pine trees and is an ideal
camp site for independent travellers. From Astore to Gutumsar a jeep can
be hired. It is at a distance of 18 KMs from Astore headquarters while
from Gutumsar to Banak la the distance is 30 KMs. Nearest accommodation
is NAPWD Rest House.
Chilim
:
Chilim
is the base camp for Deosai Plains. It is 52 KM away from Astore. Local
wans run through astore to Chilim. It is a small beautiful village with
very basic facilities. There is also a Pakistan Army Camp. You can hire
jeeps or horses from here to Minimerg or Deosai and Sheosar.
Burzil
Pass :
Burzil
Pass is on way to Minimerg from Chilim. Burzil pass is full of snow through
out the season. Only Burzil pass can be accessed in the month of July
and August. It provides a scenic beauty. There is also a lake called as
Burzil lake.
Minimerg
:
Minimerg
is a beautiful place to visit in the month of July and August. it is at
the height of 14,00 feet or above. Lush green area with no tree line.
A small scattered village is also there. To access minimerg,one has to
pass through Burzil Pass. Minimerg is also used as winter camp for Himalyan
brown bears.
Daas
Khiram :
Daas
Khiram is a sequence of three villages Daas,Daas Bala and Khiram. It is
48 KM from Astore. A cool and calm environment best for fishing. Local
are so much cooperative and hospitable. Now electricity and dishes are
also available here with telephone facility.
Daskun,Mushkin
and Harchu:
From
KKH towards Astore, there are three villages.Being the foot step of Nanga
Parbat, these areas are constantly in problem due to movement of mud.
Duskun and Mushkin have been destroyed in earthquake in 2002.
Lakes:
1.
Burzil Lake
2.
Rama Lake
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