Astor Gilgit–Baltistan Pakistan

Astore is one of the six districts of the Gilgit Baltistan. The district contains the Astore Valley and is bounded to the west by Diamer District (from which is was separated in 2004), to the north by Gilgit District, to the east by Skardu District and to the south by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Neelum District of Azad Kashmir. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan the population was 71,666.Astore, also spelt Astor, is a city and the capital of Astore District in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. It is located at 35°22'0N 74°51'0E with an altitude of 2546 metres (8353 feet)

Astore is connected to Gilgit which is well connected by air with Islamabad(weather dependent) 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 metalled road.

Astore valley 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. In Mirmalik valley it snows up to 6 feet (1.8 m) in February.

 The main language spoken in the valley is Shina (also known as Tshina). Urdu, which is the National language of Pakistan, is the second most frequently spoken language.There are different dialect of Shina spoken in the region. Since Astore has a history of modest tourist traffic in the summer months, local guides and police in Tarashing or Astore may speak some English.

 There were some negative perceptions in past due to rough mode of transport but nowadays there are paved roads connecting Gilgit and Islamabad through the Karakorum Highway. Landslides and rockfall may be an issue in some areas of the Indus Valley. There is a permanent road through Gilgit as well as seasonal road access via Deosai Plateau to Skardu. Here you can obtain all types of vehicles (Jeeps, taxis, wagons, SUVs) and hire jeeps and SUVs at affordable prices. The most used vehicles are Jeeps and SUVs with a local preference for Pajeros and Landcruisers.

 Astore lies about the massive base of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest peak in the world. To the south of the Nanga Parbat massif lies Rama Valley, which is home to Rama Lake, with basic facilities for visitors. It has a hotel called the PTDC, constructed by the government of Pakistan. Astore valley is a unique area for tourists to visit, surrounded by the high peaks of the far western Himalaya. Nearby the two river junction the village Louze, popular for apples,apricot, cherry and other fruits especially the wild almond oil. Louze a small village with literacy rate of about 95%, the only biggest power house for electricity supply up to 1000 kW to whole district approx since 1987, nearby Louze a peaks include Nanga Parbat, Shaigiri, Rupal Peak, Chongra Peak and Laila Peak (Rupal Valley). Astore Valley ascends from the Indus River Valley near Jaglot, Pakistan. Deosai plains are the highest plateau in himalayas and are most picturesque with a bowl shapped lake, wild flowers,and a habitat of brown bear.The easiest route from Astore is via, Gorikot, Gudai,Chilum and then a track leads to this area with little steep hike. Its been declared a Natural park, a special status to preserve its fora and fauna.

Culture:

The entire district comprises of people who speak Shina language which is slightly different from the Shina spoken in other valleys like: Gilgit, Ghizer and Hunza. Eidgah is the district headquarter. People of different origins, languages and cultural background live here because of the various Government and private offices. Lifestyle in Astore is simple. People are very hospitable.
Literacy rate in Astore is quite better than areas like Diamer. Bunji is considered to be one of the villages where literacy rate is quite high. However, in far flung valleys of Astore education is still a dream for people especially for girls. The community in Astore is quite willing about education but due to scarcity of resources, people cant afford it.

People:

People live in various beautiful valleys and are peace loving. The unity and mutual understanding of people in this valley are exemplary. People of Astore are cool minded and hard working. They are better off in education as well and are striving their best to equip their children with the wealth of knowledge. They live in some of the hardest places like Chilim which makes their lives so tough when it is winter.

Religion:
The inhabitants of Astore belong to Sunny and Shia schools of thought. Their mutual cooperation and fraternity is exemplary and they live in calm.

Festivities:
The major religious festivals include: Eid-e-Qurban, Eid-ul- Fitr and Eid Miladunnabi (the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad-Peace be upon Him). Cultural events include: Jashn-e-Baharan and cultural festivals. These are greatest opportunities for people to get together and share their talents and skills.

Music and Dance:
The famous trio band music is played in this region as in most of the other regions. On the rhythm of this loud music, men love to dance in their typical way. There are some variations in lyrics from region to region.
There are a number of attractive places in Astore which have a range of tourist spots and places to see. Rama valley is located in Astore approximately 112 KM from Gilgit, 56 Km from the KKH at jaglot and

134 KM from Skardu via Deosai plain. The region includes a range of high altitude mountains and ecologically falls in to the transition of alpine to dry temperature zones. Rama is home to some famous species like: ibex, musk deer, snow leopard and rock partridge .The area is also considered to have plethora of medicinal plants. This valley offers a
number of tourist attractions including: sight seeing, trekking, wild life, forest, glaciers and above all the beautiful Rama Lake which is spectacular and eye catching. Rama valley with lush green pastures and tall pine trees is an ideal camp site for the independent travellers. The inhabitants of Rama valley are also very hospitable and friendly. They are motivated to promote environment friendly tourism in their area. Thareshing is yet another interesting place for tourists. It is 42 kilometres away from district headquarters Astore. It has a jeepable road and leads up to Rupal and Mazino pass. Thareshing glacier and zipur are places of interest here. In Rupal, a wooden water channel has been constructed about 500 -600 years ago. From main Astore, jeep can also be hired to get to Rupal. This place is at a distance of 18 KMs from Astore headquarters. Nanga Perbat Inn is the nearest hotel.

Banak la is located in Perishing Gutumsar valley in Astore approximately 160KM from Gilgit, 70 Km from the KKH at jaglot and 20 KM from Skardu via shargunthang. The region includes a range of high altitude mountains, eco systems and ecologically falls in to the transition of alpine to dry temperature zones. Like Rama Valley, Gutumsar valley is home to variety of fauna such as ibex, musk deer, snow leopard and rock partridge. Medicinal plants are also found in abundance. Besides other attractions, this area is famous for Urdoung Lake.

Gutumsar valley is a very beautiful place with tall pine trees and is an ideal camp site for independent travellers. From Astore to Gutumsar a jeep can be hired. It is at a distance of 18 KMs from Astore headquarters while from Gutumsar to Banak la the distance is 30 KMs. Nearest accommodation is NAPWD Rest House. Mazino pass offers a strenuous trek to Gandokoro la which is located between district Astore and District Diamer. Mazino pass is also used as base camp to scale Nanga Perbat 8,125 meter. It is one of the highly attractive 10 days trek for adventure lovers. It’s route heads west up to the Rupal gah and crosses the mazino la 5400 meter to zangot and buner valley down to KKH. It is situated at 42 KMs from Astore headquarters. Kinibari is yet another beautiful tourist point of district Astore. It is situated about 6 KMs on up hill side from district head quarters Astore. Kinibari is celled ‘Little Deosai’ as there are lakes, glaciers and green plains. It is a highly attractive 5-days trek for adventure lovers. It’s route heads west up to the Nowgam and crosses the technical daulunig 5000 meter to perishing and Bobin valley to Deosai road.

Harpo pass is 25 KMs from district headquarters Astore and is situated in Perishing valley. Harpo pass is the best and short link between Astore and Skardu (Roundo). The distance from Gutumsar perishing Astore to Skardu is only 30 KMs. The pass is at an altitude of 3,500 meter. The high snow capped mountains and glaciers are all around the pass. It is a 3-days trek. Gutumsar NAPWD Rest house is the nearest accommodation facility. Bubin pass is 30 Km from district headquarters Astore and is situated in Gudai valley. It is famous for its natural beauty and provides yet another link between Astore and Skardu (Shurgarthang). The distance from Bubin Astore to Skardu is only 35 Km. The pass is at an altitude of 4000 meters and is surrounded by high snow capped mountains all around. There is a large grassy, undulating plain which is awesome and the streams flowing across the valley give a spectacular view. It is a reasonable five days’ trek. One of the most beautiful areas of Astore is Kala Pani. It is quite famous for variety of medicinal plants. This valley offers a number of tourist attractions including: wild life, beautiful sights, trekking opportunities and the spectacular scenes of forest, glaciers and above all the beautiful Riat Lake. Kala Pani valley with its lush green pastures is an ideal camp site for independent travellers. Like other parts of Northern Areas, people in Astore are also fond of playing free style Polo. Astore valley can be reached through Public transport which can be availed from Gilgit/Jaglot on the main Karakoram Highway. Astore travel services and Rama transport company run a daily service from Gilgit to Astore. Astore to Rama can be easily trekked or a jeep can also be hired. The distance from Astore to Rama Lake is 15 Kms. The nearest hotel/accommodation facilities are Rama PTDC and NAPWD Rest House. While travelling to Astore, it is best to register at the office of Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Director Tourism office at Astore.

Nearest Air port : Gilgit Airport
Nearest Railway NO Railway Station
Local transport: Bus Taxi Jeep also available   
Mobile Networks: UFONE , WARID , ZONG, MOBILINK
Inter net provider : PTCL Some local  

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