Quiet valleys beneath the Killer Mountain's greatest wall
Astore Valley
Astore is the valley travelers discover on their second trip to Gilgit-Baltistan — and wish they'd found on their first. Branching off the Karakoram Highway south of Gilgit, it climbs through pine forests and stone villages toward two of the Himalaya's great spectacles: Rama Lake beneath Chongra Peak, and the Rupal Valley, which dead-ends at the 4,600-metre south face of Nanga Parbat — the highest mountain wall on earth.
Because it sees a fraction of Hunza's visitors, Astore keeps an older rhythm. Shepherds still drive flocks to summer pastures, polo is played on village grounds, and guesthouses are simple and warm. For photographers, trekkers and travelers who want the mountains without the crowds, Astore is the answer.
The valley is also the historic gateway to Deosai: a rough, beautiful jeep track climbs from Chilim over the plateau to Skardu, making Astore the perfect hinge between Nanga Parbat and Baltistan on a grand circuit itinerary.
Places to visit in Astore Valley
Tours that visit Astore Valley
Astore Valley — frequently asked questions
Do foreigners need a permit for Astore?
Astore town, Rama Lake and the Rupal Valley require no permit — just passport checks. Minimarg and Domel, close to the Line of Control, require a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) that currently is rarely issued to foreign nationals; we advise on the latest rules when you book.
Can I see Nanga Parbat from Astore without trekking?
Yes. A jeep reaches Tarashing village in the Rupal Valley, where the south face fills the sky from the village fields. The walk to Herrligkoffer Base Camp is an optional, moderate day hike from there.
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