Ghanche Valley is the easternmost district of Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan. With its administrative headquarters in the historic city of Khaplu, Ghanche is famous as a tourist destination for its outstanding scenery and high altitude landscapes.

The word Gang in Balti and means “glacier” and che is used as a superlative term showing its abundance. It is locally used by natives of the Khaplu Valley for Ghanche Nallah (a Seasonal Stream) which flows in between the Khaplu town during the summer season. When the Pakistani government gave it the grade of the district, people of the valley selected the name of “Ghanche” willingly.

The Shigar Valley is a valley in Gilgit Baltistan in northern Pakistan that is watered by the Shigar River and centered on the town of Shigar. This Valley is a stream of the Indus River, which is near to the town of Skardu. It is a popular destination for hiking, trekking, and mountaineering, despite the tough conditions there. Also, the valley is an attraction for tourists as it is a gateway to Karakoram Hills, one of the world’s highest peaks is K2.

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.

Ghanche & Shigar Valley is located at:

The capital of Ghanche District is Khaplu. This region is the coldest place within Pakistan also called the “Third Pole” with temperatures reaching below -20 °C in the winter. Khaplu Valley and Hushe Valley form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of Karakoram that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), Gasherbrum (8,000+ m), and Masherbrum (7,821 m) (all of which are included in the Skardu District).

The Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) at the easternmost part of Ghanche District is located across the Saltoro Ridge. Territory east of the AGPL is currently controlled by India including the entire Siachen Glacier. It has been proposed by moderates in Pakistan and India to make the Siachen Glacier region a Peace Park. Pakistan controls west of Saltoro Ridge.

Likewise, Shigar valley stretches about 170 km from Skardu to Askole and is the gateway to the high mountains of the Karakoram. The town of Shigar is the largest settlement in the valley. Even though the Shigar Valley is a remote and largely inaccessible place, there are several villages in the valley. Askole is the last settlement in the Shigar Valley, which is still far from the high mountains. Shigar was an administrative sub-division of the Skardu District that is now a district in its own right.

Ghanche Valley Map Link:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?msa=0&mid=14fw8VfNvtEe1YSUmrZnkJBtH65E&ll=35.159214%2C76.32751499999999&z=14

Shigar Valley Map Link:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shigar/@35.4603585,75.616074,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x38e48ab43ea4e1ed:0x3891111d672cd67d!8m2!3d35.4765474!4d75.6964405

Ghanche & Shigar Valley is famous for:

Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghanche & Shigar valley stand almost aloof with its beautiful views and settlements inhabited by the most hospitable locals and river irrigated lands. Let’s explore them.

First, let’s talk about Ghanche valley.

• Hushe valley is one of the most beautiful valleys located in Ghanche. Hushe is famous for its granite rocks and snow-capped peaks. Masherbrum, K7, K6, and Laila Peak are some of the prominent peaks in Hushe. Hushe is one of the best trekking destinations in the world.
  
• Haldi cones are a group of granite mountains located in Haldi village of Ghanche. Haldi cones can be seen from Khaplu town, Yuchung Masherbrum viewpoint, and Machulu village. To see it more closely you have to visit Haldi village which is located at a distance of 25 Km from Khaplu.
  
• Khaplu Fort is one of the most famous landmarks in Gilgit Baltistan. Built by the late Yabgo dynasty in the 18th century it is now converted into a heritage hotel.
  
• Thalley is a lush green valley located in Ghanche.
  
• Saltoro valley is located near the Siachen glacier. The valley was once a famous trekking destination. In 1984 India captured major glaciers of this valley, later Pakistan army and Indian army fought there on Siachen glacier. Now this valley is restricted for national and international tourists.
  
• Kondus is yet another beautiful valley restricted for foreign and national tourists. But you can go there for trekking and climbing purposes by getting permission.

Now, dig in something about Shigar valley

• The journey towards the beautiful valley of Shigar starts with a beautiful bridge called the Shigar bridge on a twenty minutes drive from Skardu city. Just after crossing the bridge, you have a magnificent view of a desert known as the Cold Desert Shigar. The road on the cold desert Shigar is long and smooth and is so charming that one wishes it continue all day as it is. After 15 minutes drive through the curve adventurous road on mountains you first reach The Shigar View Point. This particular location is called viewpoint because almost a large area of Shigar Valley can be seen from here. Tourists can enjoy a bird’s eye view of Shigar Valley from this location.
  
• The Blind Lake Shigar, locally known as Jarbazoo more accurately Jarbachzoo is a screen freshwater lake in Shigar Valley. The view of Blind Lake Shigar is magnificent and exotic. It is a favorite tourist destination and the best place for photography. The crystal clear blue water of the lake and lush green surroundings make its view more charming. Tourists can enjoy swimming and boating here. The lake is located at 25 minutes drive from Shigar Viewpoint down at the bank of the river.
  
• The River of Shigar is a turquoise-blue stream wound its merry way through the mountains and landscapes. Babbling and burbling, it sprung over the rocks in its way. Pebbles whisked about in the under wash like pieces of glitter. Streams are the liquid soul of the mountains of Shigar Valley. It is wonderful and awesome to experience a beautiful sunset at the bank of Shigar valley. The splashing sounds of water, the melodies of birds elevated by the relaxing sounds of nature is just amazing.
  
• Shigar Fort locally known as Fong Khar, which is local baltic language means the place on rocks. It was built by Hassan Khan, the 20th ruler of the Amacha Dynasty, in the early 17th century. Shigar Fort is located on the legendary route to the world’s second-highest mountain K-2. It is located in oasis-like surroundings, irrigated by the waters from the glaciers of Baltistan – one of the most impressive regions in the high Karakoram ranges and unsurpassed in natural beauty and cultural richness.
  
• The Ambrique mosque in Shigar Valley is known as Khilangrong. The mosque in heart of Shigar Valley is believed to have sustained the rough times and weather for more than four centuries, as it was built in the 18th century. This mosque looks a dusty, wooden, two-floor architecture. Like most of the housing architectures in the region, the mosque has a wooden structure with beautiful woodwork on it.
  
• Hashupi Bagh in Shigar Valley is a garden of different fruits dominantly a large variety of apples in it. Cheery is also found here. This garden is a tourist spot and a rest area. The garden is beautifully maintained with colorful flowers and lush green landscapes. Hashupi bagh is on a drive of 80 minutes from Skardu city. Tourist usually goes there to buy fresh fruits and have some rest while tour and sightseeing of other areas of Shigar Valley.
  
• The K2 is the world’s second-highest peak with an elevation of 8611 meters. Locally in the Balti language, K2 is known as “Chogori” which means the king of mountains. The k2 is located in the Karakoram mountains and on the border of Pak-China. K2 is a rocky mountain uphill 6000m but the track transforms into a mountain of snow as you progress. In 1887 first time the k2 and various glaciers were discovered by a British surveyor Goodwin Austin. K2 gained international attention when a number of expeditions were failed because of the harsh weather conditions and strenuous track. Finally, Lino Lacedelli and Achilles Compagni climbed K2 and laid the foundation for others to follow.
  
• Snow Lake, or Lukpe Lawo, is a high-altitude glacial basin in the Karakoram mountain range in Gilgit-Baltistan. Snow Lake is located 16,000 feet (4,877 m) above sea level and is approximately 10 miles (16 km) wide. The basin lies at the head of the Biafo and Hispar glaciers, which spread down from the Hispar Pass in opposite directions, forming a 61 mile (100 km) river of ice that is among the world’s longest continuous glacier systems outside of the polar regions. Martin Conway, the first foreign visitor, gave Snow Lake the name in 1892. Conway described Snow Lake as “beyond all comparison the finest view of mountains it has ever been my lot to behold, nor do I believe the world can hold a finer. Snow Lake is very difficult to reach, however, and only about 200 people manage to reach it per year.

Where to stay at Ghanche & Shigar Valley?

In Ghanche valley:

• Serena Khaplu Palace
• Backpackers Village Guest House Khaplu Barah
• Khan Homestay Turtuk
• Hotel Graceland
• Hotel Mountain Lodge Skardu

In Shigar valley:

• Serena Shigar Fort
• River View Hotel Shigar
• Space Hotel Shigar

Information you should know:

Here are some helpful essentials:

• Ghanche = 05816- 923461110485
• Shigar = (058154) 67108