Khaplu Valley Skardu - Land of Glaciers and Valleys
Khaplu Valley is the most astonishing and peaceful place in Gilgit Baltistan, the Northern area of Pakistan. It is the administrative capital of Ghanche District and is 103 km from Skardu. Khaplu Valley is famous for its culture, beautiful landscape, natural feel, highest peaks, romantic views of rivers and streams, historical buildings, and diverse traditions. This place is rich in every aspect of nature, which makes Khaplu a dream destination.
Khaplu is considered the coldest place in Pakistan where the temperature falls below -20 degrees centigrade. The incredible view of the autumn season in Khaplu can't be imagined when the color of the trees changes into brown and red. Every changing season has its beauty which cannot be expressed in words
The town serves as a gateway for trekking expeditions. Thousands of tourists visit Khaplu to see Siachen Glacier and Many famous mountains, such as Masherbrum, K-6, K-7 etc. Khaplu Valley lies in the heart of the Karakoram Mountain Ranges attracting adventurers and nature lovers to the region.
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Places to Visit in Khaplu Valley
Here we have compiled a list of the top 5 most beautiful places in Khaplu Valley.
- Khaplu Fort
- Chaqchan Mosque Khaplu
- Hushe Valley
- Shyok River Khaplu Valley
- Siachen Glacier
1) Khaplu Fort
From Khaplu Bazaar, a road goes up to the Khaplu Fort. This fort was constructed in 1840 by Raja Daulat Ali Khan of Khaplu, who was from the Yabgu family. The Yabgu family made it to Khaplu from Central Asia and ruled this place for over 700 years. The fort-cum-palace has now been turned into Serena Hotel.
Once this palace was full of virtuoso architectural masterpieces, every facility went on to the next door; this palace had all public dealing offices inside. Tax collection centers, public courts, and prisoners used to be dealt with under one roof, now acquired by Serena and converted into a full-fledged luxury hotel for tourists.
2) Chaqchan Mosque Khaplu
Chaqchan mosque is another tourist destination in Khaplu Baltistan. Dating from 1370, the mosque is one of the oldest in the region from when the area’s populace converted masse from Buddhism to Islam. The mosque shares the same architecture as built in the Kashmir Valley. It is a perfect blend of Tibetan, Mughal, and Persian styles of architecture. According to some sources, the mosque was built by Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani while others say on the arrival of Sufi saint Syed Nurbakhsh from Kashmir to Baltistan, the local ruling Raja accepted Islam and commissioned the building of the mosque in 1370 CE. However, the dating of the latter theory contradicts the historical source which suggests that the mosque was constructed more than two decades before the birth of Syed Nurbakhsh.
3) Hushe Valley
The beautiful Hushe Valley is known as one of the highest mountains in Pakistan, located in the Khaplu District of Gilgit-Baltistan. Hushe Valley is a popular valley for mountaineers, trekkers, climbers, and camping. Hushe Valley is one of the most adventurous and attractive places with beautiful and romantic Masherbrum Peak Base Camp, Hunbroq K2 View Point, K6, K7, and many others. More than 7000 meters exist in this valley.
The valley is a hub for all types of mountain activities. Every year thousands of trekkers and climbers visit Hushe Valley. It is the ultimate place to visit.
4) Shyok River Khaplu Valley
One addition to the landscape is River Shyok. In the local language, River Shyok translates into ‘River of Death. This river, originating from Rimu Glacier (next to Siachen Glacier) in Ladakh, enters Gilgit-Baltistan from Machlu, a village in Ghanche.
Going a little ahead from Khaplu, the curvy road takes one to the delta of River Shyok, where it splits up, flowing through the gravel-filled river plain. The peak of Mashabrum Mountain can also be seen in the backdrop.
Further ahead is the village of Machlu, which is far from Skardu, and nearer to Khaplu. This village is settled under the shadow of walnut and poplar trees and on the bank of the River of Death.
5) Siachen Glacier
Siachen Glacier is the highest tourist attraction in the eastern Karakoram Range in the Himalayas, along the disputed India-Pakistan border. It is at an elevation of 5,400 meters above sea level. In the local Balti language, Sia means rose and Chen means any object found in abundance. Thus the Siachen refers to land with an abundance of roses.
Thousands of tourists visit Khaplu to see the Siachen Glacier. It is the second-longest glacier, stretching a length of 76 kilometers in non-polar Regions. Siachen Glacier is also the highest battlefield in the world. The weather in Siachen is very icy-cold usually the temperature can fall to -50 C (-122 °F) Including all tributary glaciers. The peaks of Siachen Glacier with a snow-capped look are remarkable and appealing.
Activities to Do in Khaplu Valley
- Rafting
- Rock climbing
- Hiking etc
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