If you are looking for a destination that combines natural beauty, cultural diversity, and historical significance, look no further than the Astore Valley, Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. This valley is a hidden gem that offers a glimpse into a world of breathtaking landscapes, rich traditions, and ancient trade routes. In this blog, I will share with you some of the highlights of this valley and why you should visit it at least once in your lifetime.
Brief Overview of Astore Valley
The Astore Valley Gilgit is a 120-km long and 5000-square-kilometre-wide valley in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan. The valley has approximately 250 square kilometres of glacier cover and boasts a variety of landscapes, from lush meadows to barren rocks. The valley is home to about 120,000 people, mostly belonging to the Shia sect of Islam, who speak the Shina language and follow their own customs and festivals.
Traditional Festivals
The Astore Valley is a place where you can witness the vibrant and colourful festivals of the local people, who celebrate their religious and cultural events with zeal and enthusiasm. Some of the traditional festivals of Astore Valley Gilgit are:
Navroz Festival:
Navroz Festival is an annual event locally termed as a “New Day”. It begins on 21st March to mark the first day of the Spring season.
Shandur Polo Festival:
Shandur Polo Festival is a famous sporting event that takes place every year in July at the Shandur Pass, which connects Astore Valley with Chitral Valley. The festival features a fierce polo competition between the teams of Gilgit and Chitral, who play on the highest polo ground in the world, at an altitude of 3,700 meters.
Adventure Activities in Astore Valley
Trekking and Hiking Trails
If you are looking for some adventure and challenge, Astore Valley offers you some of the best trekking and hiking trails in the region. The valley has a variety of terrains, from gentle slopes to steep cliffs, from grassy meadows to rocky glaciers, and from dense forests to open plains. The valley also has a range of altitudes, from 1,200 meters to over 6,000 meters, which test your stamina and endurance.
Mountaineering Opportunities
If you are looking for some more adventure and challenge, Astore Valley offers you some of the best mountaineering opportunities in the region. The valley is surrounded by some of the highest and most spectacular peaks in the world, including Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world and the second-highest in Pakistan. Nanga Parbat, also known as the Killer Mountain, is a massive and isolated peak that rises to 8,126 meters above sea level. It has three main faces: the Rupal Face, the Diamir Face, and the Rakhiot Face, each with its own beauty and difficulty.
Picnic Points Near Astore Valley
If you are interested in visiting the Astore Valley, a beautiful region in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Here are some brief descriptions of the picnic points near Astore Valley.
Rama Lake:
This is a stunning lake near Astore, fed by the glaciers of Nanga Parbat. The lake is encircled by pine, cedar, fir and juniper trees, and offers spectacular views of the mountain. The lake is accessible by a jeepable road from Astore town
Minimerg:
This is an unspoiled village in the Astore District, with a rich history and culture. The village has lush green fields, snow-covered mountains, and fresh air. It is also a strategic location, as it connects Gilgit-Baltistan to Azad Kashmir and Kargil. The village is only open in summer, as it is snowbound in winter.
Chilam Chowki:
This is a checkpost near the junction of Deosai Road and Astore-Srinagar road. It is the last village in Astore District and the starting point for the journey to Deosai Plains, a high-altitude plateau with amazing wildlife and scenery. The checkpost is also a good place to view Nanga Parbat.
Fairy Meadows:
This is a green plateau near the base camp of Nanga Parbat, named by German climbers for its fairy-tale beauty. The meadow offers breathtaking views of the mountain, as well as the surrounding forests and valleys. The meadow is reachable by a jeepable road from Raikot Bridge on the Karakoram Highway, followed by a trek.
Tawoos:
This is a small village in the Astore District, near the Kamri Pass. The village is known for its apple orchards and walnut trees. The village also has a historical significance, as it was used by the Maharaja of Kashmir to access Gilgit. The village is a good place to experience the rural life and culture of the region.
Nanga Parbat Viewpoint:
This is a viewpoint on the Karakoram Highway near the Raikot Bridge. The viewpoint offers a clear and magnificent view of Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world and the western anchor of the Himalayas. The viewpoint is a great place to take photos and admire the beauty of the mountain.
location and how to Get There
location
Astore Valley is located in the north of Pakistan, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. It lies at the eastern face of Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world and the second-highest in Pakistan. It is one of the top tourist spots in northern Pakistan, known for its natural beauty and diversity.
By Air:
You can take a flight from Islamabad, Lahore, or Peshawar to Gilgit, the capital city of Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) offers daily flights to Gilgit, with a travel time of about 45 minutes from Islamabad and about 90 minutes from Lahore or Peshawar. From Gilgit, you can take a jeep or a bus to Astore, which is about 120 km away and takes about 4 to 5 hours.
By Road:
You can also travel by road from Islamabad, Lahore, or Peshawar to Astore Valley via the Karakoram Highway (KKH), which is one of the highest paved roads in the world and offers scenic views of the mountains and rivers along the way. The distance from Islamabad to Astore is about 494 km, and it takes about 11 to 12 hours to cover it. The distance from Lahore to Astore Valley is about 900 km, and it takes about 18 to 19 hours to cover it. The distance from Peshawar to Astore is about 558 km, and it takes about 13 to 14 hours to cover i.
You can find various buses and vans that operate from these cities to Astore Valley, or you can rent a car or a jeep for more convenience and comfort.
Astore Valley Weather and Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Astore Valley is from June to September, when the astore valley weather is pleasant and the valley is full of natural beauty and diversity. You can enjoy various activities and sightseeing during these months, such as trekking, hiking, mountaineering, wildlife safari, camping, and picnicking. However, you should avoid visiting Astore Valley during the other seasons, especially winter, as the weather is harsh and the valley is mostly inaccessible due to heavy snowfall and landslides.
Seasonal Attractions:
Astore Valley offers different attractions in different seasons, depending on the climate and the landscape. Some of the seasonal attractions are:
Summer(Jun to Aug):
Summer is the peak season for tourism in Astore Valley, as the astore valley weather is pleasant and the valley is full of natural beauty and diversity. The average high astore valley temperature ranges from 24.7°C to 26.9°C, and the average low temperature ranges from 11.3°C to 14.6°C.
Winter(Dec to Feb):
Winter is the off-season for tourism in Astore Valley, as the astore valley weather is harsh, and the valley is mostly inaccessible due to heavy snowfall and landslides. The average high astore valley temperature ranges from 2.8°C to 8.9°C, and the average low-temperature ranges from -7.2°C to -0.9°C.
Autumn(Sep to Nov):
Autumn is the season of colours in Astore Valley, as the valley is adorned with yellow, orange, and red hues. The average high astore valley temperature ranges from 19.9°C to 24.7°C, and the average low temperature ranges from 7.6°C to 11.3°C.
Spring(March to May):
The village is known for its apple orchards and walnut trees. Spring is the season of flowers in Astor Valley, as the valley is filled with colourful and fragrant blossoms. The average high temperature ranges from 8.9°C to 21°C, and the average low astore valley temperature ranges from -0.9°C to 8°C.
Accommodation: Astore Valley hotels:
I’m happy to help you to find the best hotels in astore valley, a beautiful region in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Here is some information about the best hotels in astore valley and lodges you listed, along with their approximate par night stay charges:
Astore Valley Inn & Spa:
This is a comfortable, relaxing and best hotel in Astore Valley hotels located near the DC Office in Astore Eidgah. The hotel offers spacious and clean rooms with private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. The night stay charge of this astore valley hotel is about $20 USD.
Domel Backpacker’s Hostel:
This is a fun and lively hostel located in the Domel village in the Astore District. The hostel offers dorm beds and private rooms with shared bathrooms and free Wi-Fi. The hostel also has a community kitchen, a common area, and a terrace. The per night stay charge of this astore valley hotel for a dorm bed is about $5 USD.
Minimerg Lodge:
This is a cosy and charming lodge located in the Minimerg village in the Astore District. The lodge offers wooden rooms with private bathrooms, free toiletries, and free Wi-Fi. The lodge also has a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, and a garden. The per night stay charge of this astore valley hotel for a double room is about $8 USD.
Conclusion
Astore Valley is a hidden gem in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, where you can discover a paradise amidst the peaks. The valley offers a variety of attractions and activities for travelers of all kinds, whether you are looking for natural beauty, cultural heritage, or adventure. You can enjoy the majestic mountain ranges, the glacial lakes and rivers, the rich biodiversity, the traditional festivals, the local handicrafts, the folk music and dance, the trekking and hiking trails, the mountaineering opportunities, and the wildlife safari in Astore Valley.
Astore Valley is a place that deserves to be visited and appreciated, as well as protected and conserved. It is a place that will leave you amazed and inspired, as well as humbled and grateful. It is a place that will make you fall in love with Pakistan, and with yourself.
FAQS
Where is Astore Valley located?
Astore Valley location is in the north of Pakistan, in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. It lies at the eastern face of Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world and the second-highest in Pakistan.
Why is Astore famous?
Astore is famous for its natural beauty and diversity, as well as its cultural heritage and adventure. It offers a variety of attractions and activities for travellers of all kinds, such as trekking, hiking, mountaineering, wildlife safari, camping, and picnicking.
How far is Astore from Skardu via Deosai?
Astore is about 180 km away from Skardu, the capital city of Baltistan, via Deosai, the second-highest plateau in the world. It takes about 6 to 7 hours to cover the distance by road, depending on the weather and road conditions.
How tall is the Astore Valley?
Astore Valley has a range of altitudes, from 1,200 meters to over 6,000 meters, which test your stamina and endurance. The average altitude of the valley is about 2,500 meters.
Who is the king of Hunza Valley?
Hunza Valley is a mountainous valley in Gilgit-Baltistan, which was once a princely state ruled by the Mirs of Hunza. The last king of Hunza was Mir Muhammad Jamal Khan, who abdicated in 1974 when Pakistan abolished the princely states. The current head of the royal family is Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan, who is the son of Mir Muhammad Jamal Khan and the governor of Gilgit-Baltistan.
How many feet high is Chitral?
Chitral is a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Gilgit-Baltistan and Afghanistan. Chitral has a range of altitudes, from 1,094 meters to 7,708 meters, which creates different climatic zones and habitats. The average altitude of Chitral is about 1,500 meters.
What is the meaning of Astore Valley?
Astore Valley is derived from the word Astor, which means “a place of snakes” in the local Shina language. This name is attributed to the legend that the valley was once infested with snakes until a saint named Pir Chanasi came and drove them away.
What is the history of Astore Valley?
Astore Valley has a long and turbulent past, marked by invasions, migrations, and conflicts. The valley was once ruled by the Persian adventurer Ghazi Mukhpun, who married a princess of the Skardu royal family and established his dynasty in the 17th century. The valley later came under the Dogra rule, followed by the British colonial rule, and finally became part of Pakistan in 1947. The valley has witnessed many battles and rebellions, such as the 1948 war between Pakistan and India, the 1971 war between Pakistan and Bangladesh, and the 1988 uprising against the Zia regime.
The valley has also produced many notable personalities, such as the poet and scholar Allama Iqbal, the politician and activist Mirza Ali Khan (also known as Fakir of Ipi), and the mountaineer Hassan Sadpara, who climbed six of the eight-thousanders, including Everest.
What is interesting about Chitral Valley?
Chitral Valley is a fascinating and diverse region, which offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and historical significance. Chitral Valley is known for its stunning mountain scenery, its rich and varied wildlife, its unique and colourful festivals, its ancient and mysterious forts, its musical and artistic traditions, and its hospitable and friendly people.
What is the main attraction for tourists in Chitral Valley?
Chitral Valley has many attractions for tourists, such as the Chitral Gol National Park, which is a wildlife sanctuary that hosts the rare and endangered Chitral markhor, the Kalash Valleys, which are home to the Kalash people, who have a distinctive culture and religion, the Shandur Pass, which is the highest polo ground in the world and the venue of the annual Shandur Polo Festival, the Tirich Mir, which is the highest peak of the Hindu Kush range and the highest peak in Pakistan outside the Karakoram and Himalayas, and the Chitral Museum, which displays the history and culture of Chitral.
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