Introduction

Minimarg Astore is a famous village in the Neelum District of the Pakistani region of Azad Kashmir. 

Location

It is situated on the right bank of the Neelum River towards the north of Taobat. It is approximately 190 km from the city of Gilgit, and its elevation is 2,844.6 meters above sea level.

Background

Minimarg Gilgit Baltistan was on the ancient trade route between Srinagar and Gilgit till 1948 when it became a hotly contested area between India and Pakistan. During the First Kashmir War (1947–1948), a wing of the combined Gilgit Scouts and renegade 6th Infantry of the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces called the ‘Tiger Force’, took control of Minimarg. They reached as far south as Bandipora in April 1948 but withdrew to Minimarg after the Indian Army’s Operation Eraze.

Climate 

The temperature and weather at Minimarg Astore weather in Pakistan are always cold, even in summers. July is warm, with an average temperature of 19.8 °C. January is cold, with an average temperature of -17.3 °C. And trust me, photos and videos of Rainbow Lake and other places in Minimarg don’t do justice to this place in Gilgit-Baltistan of Kashmir, Pakistan. 

Language

People living in the region speak the Shina language.

Primary Source of Living

The dominant source of income is agriculture. Some people travel to other regions of the country to earn. Due to its landscape and climatic conditions, the valley provides a habitat for various commercially important medicinal plants. A significant source of income for people is in the sale of natural herbs and potatoes.

Attractions at Minimarg

Minimarg Gilgit Baltistan is connected to Taobut, Neelum Valley, through a mountain Pass called the Kamri Bal (4172m). People say it is the ultimate hiker’s paradise— pristine pine forest, high altitude cool breeze, and absolute quietness. If it weren’t for non-existent roads, it makes better sense to reach Minimarg from Neelum Valley.

While going to Minimarg, there is a place we cross ‘Burzil Top Pass’ at 4100 m. It’s a lush green valley opened up before us, with a stream flowing across its length. Tall mountains, with snow still on top, lined the road on both sides’ looks mesmerizing.

It has a natural lake called the ‘crystal lake’ fed into a human-made one, the ‘Rainbow Lake.’ Rainbow lake is also called Minimarg dam, which was initially supposed to be a wild trout spawning pool, in case we hadn’t eaten the breeder fishes. The water to these lakes came from winter ice that was still intact on the mountains’ slopes.

‘Ansoo Lake’ is a few kilometers hike away from Minimarg. It is located at an elevation of 4,245 meters above sea level and is considered one of the Himalaya Range’s highest lakes. 

Transportation

The road to Minimarg is potholed and muddy at places so, only a 4×4 vehicle can quickly move there. It’s better to hire a local jeep from Chillum or Astore. 

We urge you to explore, but don’t forget one thing! 

Make your visit a sustainable one. Our beloved country has a huge trash problem, and we ask you to be part of the solution. Don’t litter here and there, and bring a plastic bag along with you so you can take any trash you might find along the way.