Thaley La Trek Baltistan

Fly to Skardu by PK 451

This 45-minute flight is considered one of the most beautiful flights in the world, flying over three of the highest mountain ranges of the world, the Himalayas, the Karakorum, and the Hindukush.

Upon arrival in Skardu, the guide will meet you at the airport, and the drive to Khaplu will commence. A short stop will be made at Skardu town and the drive to Khaplu will resume via the towns of Hassanabad, Gowadi, and Bara. Upon arrival at Khaplu, the guests will check in at the Serena Hotel for an overnight stay.

Thaley Valley is 40km. away on the northwest from the district headquarters Ghanche, and 110km from Skardu city and situated at 2,747m above sea level, drive from Khaplu to Thaley Broq (3-4 hours) through the Thaley Valley, which is one of the most spectacular valleys in Gilgit-Baltistan with terraced agricultural fields and pastures, wheat and potato crops, and apricot is very famous of this alpine valley, majority of the inhabitants of this valley are dependent on agriculture and livestock, falls in the single cropping zone, in the early May families travel up the pastures with livestock, there are shepherds settlements scattered along the water streams. Yaks are famous from Thaley. Thaley is a 21 km long stretch with small villages, Burdas, Chundu, Tasoo, Parangus, Harangus, Yarkhor, Haltagari, Baltro, Daltir, and Khasumik is the last village. Karis Valley to the west, Shiger Valley to the north and Daghini/Balghar are located to the south. The jeeps will take us to the Thaley Broq, from here we will start our trek for 30 minutes to the campsite on the bank of the water stream near Thaley Broq, enjoy the view of towering peaks and pastures in the surrounding, dinner and overnight in camps.

Trek to Thaley-La (4-5 hrs) at 4,578m, known as one of the most beautiful treks in Baltistan, this easy hike takes you through green pastured meadows abundant with summer wild flowers, Marmots & Ibex, shepherd herds, and glacial streams. After 4 hours of moderate hiking, we arrive at the heavenly meadow locally known as Dubla Khan.

After breakfast, we continue our first day through beautiful alpine meadows. We cross to the north bank fellow the main (right-hand) valley on a clear, zigzagging donkey path for 2 to 3 hours to the top for views of the western Range Naqpoo sangna 6000m above (Meaning Black Rock Big iron plate). The descent is steep at first, across permanent snow, and then you follow a grassy ridge down for an hour to a roofless stone shelter. Continue

down across a few side streams to the first bushes – from where there are views south to a chain of snowy mountains – past herds of dzos, sheep and goats, to the summer settlement of Daserpa. This is an ideal campsite overnight stay in camps.

The path is excellent, maintained by woodcutters who come up from Shigar for fuel. One hour from Daserpa, at the junction of the two rivers at Baumaharel, the path from the Tusserpo pass rejoins the Thaley route. Below this junction, the valley is barren, the way passing through several gorges with high cliffs. The path crosses the river twice on bridges, then descends through the settlements of Angisgal and Ol to the hydroelectric power station at Chaupi Ol, which is at the end of the jeep road in the Bauma valley. Just before Shigar, there is a rock formation making an impressive gateway to the village. Beyond this gateway on the right is a small, pagoda- shaped mosque with delicate carving, and the luxurious Shigar Fort Hotel in the raja’s old palace. Overnight at the Shigar Fort Serena hotel.

Fly to Islamabad

Optional: Spend another night or drive to the Skardu Airport for a flight to Islamabad.