The valley is at an elevation of 2,600 meters (8,500 feet), adjacent to the eastern side of mountain Nanga Parbat, which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) long, having area of 5,092 squqre kilometers (1,966 sq miles). Valley’s entrance is about 60 kilometers southeast of Gilgit with four side-valleys. The valley has more than 100 villages including Loas, Louze, Chilm, Bubin, Gorikot, Parisheng Ei
d Ghah, Fina, Bulen, Chongra, Tari Shing, Rattu, Kamri and Minimerg. Chilm is the most beautiful village of Astore, being a starting point of Deosai, the world’s second highest plateau. Rama lake and pastures are the well known tourist attraction in this region. Agriculture and livestock is the major source of livelihood complemented by seasonal work in down districts of the country. Due to its various landscape and weather conditions the valley provides outstanding habitat for a variety of commercially important medicinal plants. Climate
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. Languages
The main language spoken in the valley is Shina. 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 Tr Astore, may speak some English. Popular Attractions:
Astor lie at the junction of several mountain routes, providing ample and varied trekking opportunities, including many short walks through this beautiful area. Tracks head eastwards from the Bulashbar area, up towards the wild but beautiful Deosai Mountains and Plains. To the north west, a trekking route leads to the Muthat Pass and continues on to Fairy Meadow. In the southwest, Rupal valley provides numerous opportunities for short and long treks. Accessibility: 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. 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.kamran Hotel & Restaurant is the nearest Hotel to Rama having diatance of 12 km. 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. 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. 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 facilitie is KAMRAN HOTEL & RESTAURANT which is situated in Astore Bazzar.While travelling to Astore, it is best to register at the office of Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Director Tourism office at Astore. Their offices are situated at district head quarter Eidgah and Gorikot Astore. 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 one and only Hotel in center of valley name KAMRAN HOTEL & RESTAURANT with basic facilities for tourists. 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 Louse, papular for apples,aprikot, cherry and other fruits especially the wild almond oil. Louse a small village with litresy rate of about 30%, the only biggest power house for electricity supply up to 1000 kW to whole district approx since 1987, nearby Louse 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,Chilim 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. Places of interest
1.Nanga Parbat
2.Rama Lake
3.Deosai plains
4.Kala Pani
5.Laila Peak (Rupal Valley)
6.Domail Lake
7.Minimerg
8.Urdong Naala (Parishing Valley)
