Trout rivers, blue lakes and the road to Shandur
Autumn in Phander Valley. Photo: mhtoori / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ghizer stretches west from Gilgit to the Shandur Pass and the border of Chitral. Its valleys are green and quiet, with clear rivers known for trout, and it sees far fewer visitors than Hunza or Skardu.
The main road passes Gahkuch, Gupis and Khalti Lake to the turquoise lake of Phander. Side valleys lead north to Ishkoman and Yasin, the starting points of several high-pass treks.
Popular Activities
- Trout fishing with a licence
- Lakeside camping
- Shandur Polo Festival
- High-pass treks
Places to Visit in Ghizer
6 places chosen by our local guides.
Phander Valley and Phander Lake
A wide green valley with a turquoise lake and a clear trout river.
More detailsKhalti Lake
A calm blue lake on the Ghizer River near Gupis, which freezes hard in winter.
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Shandur Pass
A high plateau at about 3,700 m with a lake and the highest polo ground in the world.
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Yasin Valley
A broad, fertile valley north of Gupis, with old forts and paths to high passes.
More detailsIshkoman Valley
A remote valley leading towards the Wakhan, the starting point for several long treks.
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Treks in Ghizer
Asumbar Pass Trek: Ishkoman to Yasin
A gentle high pass between the Ishkoman and Yasin valleys, through pastures used by Gujar and Wakhi shepherds.
Handrap Lake Trek
A short walk from the Phander valley to a clear trout lake set among meadows.
Karambar Lake Trek
A long, remote trek up the Karambar valley to Karambar Lake, a large alpine lake at about 4,272 m on the edge of the Wakhan.
