Ghizer Valley Gilgit Baltistan

Saba Ghani

2 years of guide experience in Pakistan.

Overview

Ghizer Valley is the most beautiful valley in Gilgit Baltistan, the main town is Gahkuch, 95 kilometers away from the main town of Gilgit, and the second largest town in the Ghizer Valley is Gupis, which is about 130 kilometers away from Gilgit. All this valley has breathtaking views along the highway.

History

Ghizer is a variant of the name "Gherz", which means "refugee" in Khowar. Mehtar of Chitral treated his people in Chitral unfairly every time and forced them to migrate to Gupis. They settled in the area between Chitral and Gupis and in the area called Gherz, which people call Gherzic. When Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto abolished the FCR and Rajgi regimes and created another administrative district consisting of Tehsils (political districts), the name of Ghizer was unanimously agreed.

Ghizar District is the westernmost region of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Its capital is Gakuch. Ghizer is a crossroad between Gilgit and Chitral, as well as between China and Tajikistan, via the Qurumber pass in Ishkomen/Darkut Yasin (connected via the Shandur pass). Ghizer is a multi-ethnic region with three main languages; Khowar, Shina, and Burushaski. Ishkoman and some Gujar and Tajiks also have Wakhi speakers.

Moreover, Ghizer Valley is full of many ravishing lakes and valleys located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Its capital is Gahkuch. It is famous for its amazing natural beauty, surrounded by many high mountains, covered with many colorful valleys, blue lakes, and different streams that meet together to form a flowing river. Above all, when all these beauties come together, it becomes a panorama of paradise on earth.

When tourists to Gilgit travel through the area for leisure, they are looking for places of natural beauty and luckily they have found some amazing places like Ishkoman, Khalti Lake, Yasin Valley, and many of these places are for everyone who embraces raw nature.

Ghizer is also the point of contact between Gilgit and Chitral through the Shandur Pass. The main river in the area is the Ghizer River known as the Gilgit River east of the city of Gupis. Some of its tributaries include the Karambar, Ishkoman, Phakura, and Hayal rivers.

Best time to visit here?

The best time to visit Ghizer valley is between March to October, so one can see the heavenly colors of picturesque locations and enjoy the pleasant weather. The colors of autumn are unexceptional and a sight for sore eyes.

What you can do here?

There are enormous places to visit in Ghizer and a lot of things to do here. Like fishing, trekking, hiking, exploring, tasting delicious food, cultural music, and hospitality. Some of the main places in the area are the Ishkoman and Yasin valleys. Furthermore, other places include Phandar, Khalti, Hundrap, Gupis, Chatorkhand, Imit, and Utz.

How to reach Ghizer Valley?

The overland distance between Islamabad and Ghizer, Pakistan is 710 km. However, you can also take a flight to Gilgit and reach Ghizer via Shandor on the Chitral Highway. The journey to Gilgit takes approximately 1 hour, followed by a 4:30 hour drive to Ghizer.

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Ghizer Valley Gilgit Baltistan