Photo: Muhammad Akram Attari · CC BY-SA 4.0Area guides / Gilgit-Baltistan / Khaplu & Ghanche
Area guide
Khaplu & Ghanche
Baltistan's old royal valley, east of Skardu
Region
Gilgit-Baltistan
When to go
May to October for open valley roads
Getting there
Roughly 100 km from Skardu, about three hours along the Shyok River. Fly or drive to Skardu first.
Places
15 field guides
Overview
About Khaplu & Ghanche
Khaplu, the capital of Ghanche District about 103 km east of Skardu, was the second-largest kingdom in Baltistan and guarded the trade route to Ladakh along the Shyok River. Its restored 19th-century palace and the old Chaqchan Mosque sit in a green valley of orchards and villages.
Roughly 100 km from Skardu, about three hours along the Shyok River. Fly or drive to Skardu first.
The palace and the old town
Khaplu Palace was built in 1840 by Raja Daulat Ali Khan and has been restored as a model of Baltistan heritage conservation. Walk up through the old village to the Chaqchan Mosque.
Side valleys
Saling, Barah and the lakes around Kharfaq make easy extensions from Khaplu. Roads are seasonal, so use Skardu as the gateway and check conditions before heading up.
Resorts
All resorts →GreenPak stays in this area are listed on the region guide.
Khaplu & Ghanche: Questions Travellers Ask
What is there to see in Khaplu & Ghanche?
15 places in Khaplu & Ghanche have their own field guide here, the most in parks and gardens (9), landmarks and buildings (5) and mosques, shrines and tombs (1).
When is the best time to visit Khaplu & Ghanche?
May to October for open valley roads; the valley is green and mild in summer.
How do you get to Khaplu & Ghanche?
Roughly 100 km from Skardu, about three hours along the Shyok River. Fly or drive to Skardu first.
The complete guide
Everything to See in Khaplu & Ghanche
All 15 places in Khaplu & Ghanche with their own field guide, grouped by kind.
Mosques, shrines and tombs · 1
Parks and gardens · 9
Barah ValleyA valley on the Shyok, 20 minutes from Khaplu, known for its fish farms, springs and a lake at its head.
Chorbat ValleyThe Shyok valley east of Khaplu, divided between Ghanche and Ladakh, once ruled by the Khan of Chorbat.
Ghanche LakeA lake at 4,600 m in Ghanche Nullah, known locally as Khenpi Tso, with a view of K2 and the Gasherbrums.
Haldi ConesGranite spires above Haldi village, 25 km from Khaplu, seen from across the Ghanche valley.
Hushe ValleyA Karakoram valley running up from Khaplu to Masherbrum, base for treks to Laila Peak, K6 and K7.
Keris ValleyThe gateway to Ghanche, 33 km from Skardu, where the Indus and Shyok rivers meet.
Khaplu ValleyGhanche's main town, with the restored Khaplu Palace, orchards, and the road into the Hushe valley.
Kharfaq LakeA high Karakoram lake above Kharfaq village in Ghanche, reached on foot in about three hours.
Saling ValleyA Ghanche village at the entrance to the Hushe valley, with a lake, a fish farm and a hot spring.
Landmarks and buildings · 5
Charakusa ValleyA secret valley above Hushe containing K6 (7,040 m), K7 (6,934 m), and a gallery of granite spires, one of the most technically exciting climbing areas in the Karakoram.
Gondogoro LaA 5,585 m high-altitude crossing that closes the K2 base camp loop, one of the most demanding and rewarding trekking passes in the Karakoram, requiring fixed ropes and crampons.
Khaplu PalaceA restored 19th-century royal palace in the Ghanche valley, a model of Baltistan heritage conservation and a heritage stay.
Laila PeakA near-perfect 6,096 m pyramid in the Hushe Valley, widely described as one of the most beautiful mountains in Pakistan and a serious technical climbing objective.
Masherbrum (K1)The original K1 at 7,821 m, a massive pyramid guarding the Hushe Valley with one of the most dramatic approach marches of any Karakoram peak.