Astore valley
Astore was part of Diamer district before but now it is a separate district of Gilgit-Baltistan. The district contains the Astore Valley and is bounded to the west by Diamer District, Astore was separated from Diamer 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. Astore valley is located at an altitude of 2600 meters. The best time to visit is May to October.
The valley is famous for different kind of important medicinal plants and herbs. In summer, the colors of valley become very much attractive due to different flowers of different colors.Astore valley lies in the famous peaks of Nanga Parbat, Chongra Peak, and Rupal Peak. It includes different lush green valleys and lakes which are the main attraction for tourists. It is accessible through Gilgit as well as from Skardu through Deosai Plains. From Skardu through Deosai Plain is an adventurous four-wheel drive within the colorful and attractive view of Deosai. It is also connected with Minimerg on the extreme side of Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir.
The valley, adjoining the eastern side of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m), is about 120 km long and 5,092 km² in area. The entrance of the valley is located about 60 km southeast of Gilgit with four side valleys. The valley has more than 100 villages. Few famous places are mentioned below.
Rama Meadows
Rama Meadows is located at the distance of 13 km from Rama Village in Astore district, Gilgit-Baltistan. Rama Meadows is a peaceful and clam place to enjoy the greenary in the Rama Valley within the attractive colors structure of mountains. There.
Rama Lake
Rama Lake is located in Choungrah village in Astore district in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan, at a distance of 122 km from Gilgit city. It is one of the beautiful lake in Pakistan with a wounderful beauty of greenary around it and snow covered…
Gorikot
Gorikot is the capital and largest vally of the Astore District. It is a gateway to Nanga Parbat Tarisheng Base camp and to Deosai Plain that link Astore to Skardu. It has lush green plains with beautiful scenic views in the high mountains.
Gudai
Gudai is beautiful village in Astore Valley at the distance of 16 km from Gorikot and 27 km from Astore village. Gudai is famous for the fresh water and trout fish in the area. It is a gateway to Deosai Plain, one of the world highest plain.
Minimarg
Minimarg is a very attractive village in the Neelum Valley in Azad Kashmir, located on the right bank of the Kishenganga River, also called Neelum River, at an altitude of 2,845 meter. It is located at the distance of 536 km from Islamabad
Chillim
Chillim the last village of Astore District and it is also the starting point of Deosai, the world’s second highest plane. The majority of people practice subsistence agriculture and livestock is the main source of livelihood complemented by seasonal work in down districts of the country. Due to its diverse landscape and climatic conditions the valley provides excellent habitat for a variety of commercially important medicinal plants.
Sheosar Lake
Sheosar Lake is located in Deosai National Park at the elevation of 13,589 feet and at the distance of 16 km from Chillum from Astore District, and from Skardu side, it is at the distance of 65 km.
Climate:
Astore valley has a moderate climate during summer. In winter it can snow up to 6 ft in the main valleys and up to 2 to 3 ft in the mountains.
Language:
The main language spoken in the valley is Shina. Urdu, which is the national language of Pakistan, is the second most frequently spoken language. Shina has many sub-dialects especially significant in Bunji, Dashkin, Doyan, Praishing, Gorikot, across the Burzil and Rattu regions. Shina is mild phonetically and uses the Arabic script. Astore, a corridor to Dardistan, has a rich linguistic background due to its centuries old connections with the rest of the Indian subcontinent. British officers visiting and surveying led to an admixture of foreign words in the local language.
