Chilas (Gilgit Baltistan)

 

Chilas is the capital town of Diamer district on the Karakoram Highway on the left side of the Indus River at the foot of Nanga Parbat. It is located at an elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level at a distance of 471 km from Islamabad via Besham through KKH and Hazara Motorway M-15. It is also accessible via Naran, Kaghan Valley, in less time by crossing Babusar Top.

Chilas is a gateway to access beautiful Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat, which is the ninth-highest peak in the world. The temperature in Chilas is normally much higher than in other cities of the Gilgit-Baltistan. The effect of higher temperature can be also seen in the mountain structure in the Chilas.

Traveling toward Chilas from Besham gives a lot of picturesque and splendid views of the Karakorum Highway. There are a number of cold water and hot water springs in the mountain rocks on the road. Near Dassu and Shatia, you can see the Buddhist rock arts along the bank of the Indus River. While going toward Gilgit, it is recommended not to stay in Chilas. If you decided to stay there, the best place to stay is the PTDC motel.

In Gilgit-Baltistan along the Karakoram Highway, there are more than 50,000 pieces of Buddhist rock art and inscriptions. These are found mostly in Hunza, Shatial, Shighar, and Skardu. The Kharosthi term Kaboa or Kamboa in Khrosthi inscription found in Chilas by the Archaeological Department of Pakistan. That indicates Chilas was part of an ancient Kamboja Kingdom.

On the entrance of old Chilas town, the fifth-century Gupta inscription has been curved into a rock about the 300 meters up the hill. It is known as Soma Nagar, the name of the king ruled the region.

Fairy Meadows, a lush green plateau, is located at an altitude of 3,300 meters at the base of Nanga Parbat in Chilas in the Diamer district. It is a wonderful site that gives a splendid view of The Killer Mountain, Nanga Parbat.

Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest peak in the world, is located near Tattu village in Chilas. Fairy Meadows is the first base camp for Nanga Parbat Expedition. It gives a beautiful and clear view of Nanga Parbat Hill in clear weather. While traveling on the Karakoram Highway, the Nanga Parbat Peak remains in view for a long time.

Chilas Fort is a historical old fort and was captured by the British army. Fort was converted into a garrison by the British. It is located on Chinar Road in Chilas City. At present time, it is used as Chilas Police headquarter.

The weather conditions in Chilas are normally dry and hot in the summer season, whereas in the winter season, the weather becomes more pleasant. Due to Nanga Parbat, the monsoon winds are blocked, so there is no rain in the monsoon period. Nanga Parbat is just like a wall in front of the Chilas town, that is the reason behind the hotness in the Chilas.

About Diamer

Diamer is the district of Gilgit-Baltistan on the Karakoram Highway along the Indus River. It is the gateway to access the mighty mountains of Karakoram Range in Gilgit-Baltistan from Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province. The Chilas is the capital town of the Diamer district. One of the major importance of this city is the Nanga Parbat, which is the 9th highest mountain in the world, having a height of 8,126 meters.

It is located at a distance of 456 km from Islamabad, the Capital of Pakistan. Its boundaries are connected with the Tangir, Gilgit, Astore, Neelum Valley, Upper Kohistan, and Mansehra districts. It can be accessed via Karaokoram Highway from the Upper Kohistan side as well as from Babusar Top from Kaghan Valley side. It is best to stay at Besham if you are coming from the Kohistan side. Whereas you can stay in Naran if you are traveling via Babusar Top.

Traveling toward Chilas from Besham gives a lot of picturesque and splendid views of the Karakorum Highway. There are a number of cold water and hot water springs in the mountain rocks on the road. Near Dassu and Shatia, you can see the Buddhist rock arts along the bank of the Indus River.

In Gilgit-Baltistan along the Karakoram Highway, there are more than 50,000 pieces of Buddhist rock art and inscriptions. These are found mostly in Hunza, Shatial, Shighar, and Skardu. The Kharosthi term Kaboa or Kamboa in Khrosthi inscription found in Chilas town in the Diamer district by the Archaeological Department of Pakistan. That indicates Chilas was part of an ancient Kamboja Kingdom.

Raikot Bridge is the point from where a jeep trek leads toward Fairy Meadows and Nanga Parbat Base camp. It is a beautiful bridge over the Indus River on the Karakoram Highway when the road moves on the left bank of the Indus River.

Fairy Meadows, a lush green plateau, is located at an altitude of 3,300 meters at the base of Nanga Parbat in Chilas in the Diamer district. It is a wonderful site that gives a splendid view of The Killer Mountain, Nanga Parbat.

Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest peak in the world, is located near Tattu village in Chilas. Fairy Meadows is the first base camp for Nanga Parbat Expedition. It gives a beautiful and clear view of Nanga Parbat Hill in clear weather. While traveling on the Karakoram Highway, the Nanga Parbat Peak remains in view for a long time.

As you have crossed the stream from the Dudishal town, after a few kilometers you can see the site of Diamer Basha Dam. It is located where the River Indus has much wider and moves within the deep mountain rocks.

Diamer has a dry and hot climate zone, so the mountains in this district are mostly barren and dry. The weather conditions in Diamer are normally dry and hot in the summer season, whereas in the winter season, the weather becomes more pleasant. Nanga Parbat is standing just a wall and blocking the monsoon rain. So in the Diamer district, there are mostly barren and dry mountains without trees.