Discover Astore Valley: A Natural Escape from City Life
- November 12, 2024
- 0
Astore Valley Pakistan is home to Nanga Parbat, which is the ninth highest mountain in the world. One part of it lies in Deosai plateau, the second-highest plateau
Astore Valley Pakistan is home to Nanga Parbat, which is the ninth highest mountain in the world. One part of it lies in Deosai plateau, the second-highest plateau in the world, and there’s much more to it yet to explore. It is one of the six districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
Pleasant Astore valley offers ample opportunity for day walks, and longer exploration of sight-seeing, and in the favorable season you can pluck deliciously fresh fruits right off the tree.
Like most of Gilgit-Baltistan, Astore District is perfect for nature lovers and people who love sight-seeing.
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.
Let’s take some sneak peek of its HISTORY
Astore Valley district is bounded to the west by Diamer District (from which it was separated in 2004), to the north by Gilgit District, to the east by Skardu District and the south by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Neelum District of Azad Kashmir. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, the population was 71,666.
Astore Valley Pakistan, 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. Some of them 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.
Astore Valley is located at:
The ingress of the valley is located about 60 km southeast of Gilgit at Jaglot.
The three red markers belong to Rupal, Rama Lake, and Deosai Plains, the most touristic places in the valley. The blue markers belong to the trading route that leads to Kashmir.
Since, down the generations, several groups have passed through Astore, today the valley enjoys a large linguistic and cultural diversity.
Map Link:
Astore Valley is famous for:
A broad area starting from the Nanga Parbat to Deosai and Kamri has enough interest for tourists and adventure travelers.
It is renowned for its multifarious natural resplendency and the world’s unique mountain magnetizations.
It is located at an altitude of 2600m with the availability of fundamental essentialities, communication, and routine business facilities.
Astore town is an excellent base for many climbing, trekking, and jeep riding activities.
Rama Valley situated at 3,300 meters above sea level is the best place to explore there.
It is fully covered with pine, cedar, fir, and juniper trees.
For the best experience, visit during spring and summer season.
One of the highlights is that snow covers the valley for most of the year and you may easily see several species of animals, such as Ibex and musk deer.
There are several small lakes during the route to Rama Lake, so it is best for long day-walks.
Rupal Valley is an ideal place for more adventurous travelers.
Majorly, it is a remote village and has high mountainous peaks on each side. Due to this, you should expect dusty winds over there.
Remember, the valley itself is not accessible by car, and treks start in the village of Tarashing, which is in southwestern Astore.
If you are planning to go there, consider a good experience of camping, and make sure to bring enough supplies.
Chilam or Chilim is the highest situated village in Astore, at 3,400 meters above sea level. It’s 50 kilometers away from the main Astore town.
You may only visit there from May until October, due to snowfall blocking the roads at other times in the year.
Gutumsar Valley is not to be ignored.
It is a beautiful pine tree-filled valley roughly 18 kilometers from Astore town. It is a perfect place to go for SOLO travelers due to fewer facilities and enough peace of mind.
Jeeps are available from Astore, and travelers can take the Banak La pass to Gutumsar. Bring enough food and other supplies.
Curious, what people in Astore Valley do?
The majority of people practice subsistence agriculture and livestock is the main source of livelihood. But to be honest, it gets affected 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.
Pro-Tip
- If you’re planning any business in agricultural farming, you invest there or can learn from the experts over there.
- Not only this, but we have success stories of Entrepreneurs in Pakistan who shifted the villagers’ cultivation online, so what are you waiting for?
Agriculture and livestock are the main sources of income for locals while many Astore men seek work in the major business cities of Pakistan.
What’s the prevalent language in Astore?
Shina is the prevalent language while Urdu is the second most frequently verbalized language in Astore Valley Pakistan and nearby. There is no single writing system used by all of the speakers of Shina, so there are different dialects for it.
So, mainly you won’t find a language barrier mostly as people speaking Urdu also have a vast majority over there.
Best months to visit:
The best months to visit the Astore Valley location is from June to September. Spring and summer are the best times to visit there. In winters, roads can be blocked by snow, valleys are inaccessible, and mountains are too cold to climb.
Accessibility:
Astore Valley road map is connected to Gilgit which is well connected by air with Islamabad 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 the metalled road.
What’s the Climate look like?
Astore Valley weather 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 (60–90 cm) in the mountains.
Are there any Festivals/ Events at Astore?
People from all over the world visit Astore Valley Gilgit Baltistan to attend the Rama festival. You wouldn’t have experienced a festival like this before. It reflects the cultural heritage and history of the people of Gilgit and makes the people of Astore extremely festive at this time. This festival takes place in late summer or early fall each year. In 2018 it was on 19th Aug while in 2017 it was on the 10th to 12th of September. So, you may check the dates with local authorities.
It is a polo festival with teams from Astore Valley areas and Gilgit Baltistan taking part. There is also a cultural show. The whole event is done on a big scale, with the regional government involved.
Where to stay at Astore Valley?
As you already know, Astore is a perfect place for camping. Several campsites are set up in the season, and intrigued explorers who have the right gear can find their spots as well. Let’s discuss some of the credible hotels in Astore Valley Pakistan.
In Astore town
- Kamran Hotel is your go-to place – The host family gives you a very warm welcome which offers decent accommodation at reasonable rates. No doubt, the food is super-delicious over there.
In Rama Meadows
- PTDC Motel Rama Meadows never disappoints – The breathtaking and pleasant view at PTDC right at Rama Meadows is dead for. What else do you want?
Where to Eat at Astore Valley?
Cuisines of Gilgit-Baltistan and Astore Valley have a diverse range and have a unique phenomenon. These cuisines are in vast variety and bear a distinct taste.
The popular traditional recipes are Chapshoro, Dawdoo, Chamus, Mamtu i.e., sort of Chinese Dumplings, Berikutz, Harissa, Diram, Mull, Gooli, Suppra, and Khamuloot, that suits the swanky but rustic mountainous lifestyle.
One of the special winter festivities is the “nasalo” or “Nos” is a tradition that has been passed down for centuries.
In the winter (yuono), animals such as Tibetan yak, bulls, cows, goats, etc. are slaughtered, to prepare swanky traditional recipes that are dried and preserved in seasonal temperature.
Some of the popular and fine-dining options are:
- The Kitchen (Astore Valley Rd, Eidgah, Astore, Gilgit-Baltistan)
- Al-Yusuf Banquet (411 Road, Airport Road, Skardu 16100 Pakistan)
- Dewanekhas Restaurant Skardu (Kazmi Bazar Skardu Near polo Ground, Skardu 16100 Pakistan)
- Food Street Api Xhoq Skardu (Sadpara road sumbul town Skardu, Skardu 46100 Pakistan)
- Paradise Hotel & Restaurant (River View Road Near Eye Hospital Sonikot Pieen, Gilgit 23345 Pakistan)
How to get to and from Astore District
Astore Valley can only be reached by road. Coming from the south, Astore District can be reached from the Astore Valley Road. The Astore Valley Road is accessible from the Karakoram Highway, roughly 15 km beyond Raikot Bridge. Astore District is also accessible through Deosai and from Skardu.
How to get there
- Route 1 – “By Air”:
You can take a direct 45 minutes flight to Gilgit from Islamabad and a drive of 4 hours to Astore Valley.
- Route 2 – “Kaghan/Naran Valley”:
- Islamabad to Naran valley (via Abbottabad ) to Astore.
- Islamabad to Abbottabad (161.6 km)
- Abbottabad to Naran (147.3 km)
- Naran to Chilas via Babusar Pass (114 km)
- Chilas to Raikot Bridge (56.4 km)
- Raikot Bridge to Astore (55.3 km)
- Islamabad to Naran valley (via Muzaffarabad) to Astore
- Islamabad to Muzaffarabad (144.2 km)
- Muzaffarabad to Naran (121.7 km)
- Kaghan/Naran Valley to Chilas via Babusar Pass (114 km)
- Chilas to Raikot Bridge (56.4 km)
- Raikot Bridge to Astore (55.3 km)
3. Route 3 – “KKH Kohistan and Dasu”:
- Islamabad to Chilas via Kohistan Chilas to Raikot Bridge (396.0km)
- Chilas to Raikot Bridge (56.4 km)
- Raikot Bridge to Astore (55.3km)
Information you should know:
Here are some helpful essentials:
- Tourist Assistance Helpline of District Astore: 05817930420
- Airport Police Station (Gilgit): (92-0572) 3266
- Emergency services: 1122
PTDC Hotel Rama: (058174) 80386
