Diamer

Diamer is the district of Gilgit-Baltistan at average elevation of 4,150 feet 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.

Diamer - Home of 9th Highest Mountain Nanga Parbat

Diamer 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. 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 best to stay at Besham if you are coming from the Kohistan side. In case of coming via Babusar Pass, you can stay in Naran or Batakundi.

Using Chilas Kohistan Route

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. The landscape immediately turns into intense hot like desert heat in Chilas.

Hot and Dry Weather of Chilas

Chilas is famous for hot and dry weather, but serves as the major mid-way rest point along the Karakoram Highway. From the Chilas bazaar, one can get the required supplies as well as refuel the vehicle. Purchase extra water bottles from Chilas, as you may have water shortage in your journey due to hot weather.

Archaeological Sites in Chilas

Several archaeological sites such as Shatial, Thalpan, and Chilas bridge rock, showing the historical carvings stretching back to the First century AD. Best visited in the early morning cooler hours.

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.

Babusar Pass - Alternate Route

To bypass the hot and dry weather of Chilas, the another alternate route if from Kaghan Valley using Babusar Pass. It is the stunning mountain road covered with pine forests and connects Diamer directly with the Kaghan Valley via Babusar Pass. In this way, one can bypass Kohistan region that is mostly landslide area and dangerous to travel. One must remember this alternate route via Babusar Top is only available in summer season from end of May to October.

Raikot Bridge

Getting out from Chilas towards Gilgit, the massive mountain range of dark granite rise sharply until you reach at Raikot. It is the point to access the high meadows in front of Nanga Parbat. 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 Trek - Base Camp of Nanga Parbat

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.

Diamer Face of Nanga Parbat

From the Raikot Bridge, jeep can be hired to access Fairy Meadows located at the northern side of the Diamer. The deep arid gorges along the jeep trek leads toward the Fairy Meadows through the blackish brown mountains. Weather is hot and dry here, so you must have properly water supplies. Jeep takes you at Tattu village, from where a narrow mountainous trek moves toward the Fairy Meadows. It is difficult part of the hiking as most of parts in the trek are sliding gravels or much steep to climb. Finally, the trek gives way to the beautiful lush pine forests with the view of Nanga Parbat covered with ice. It is the Diamer Face of the Nanga Parbat that is most common trek to reach the Nanga Parbat's summit.

Diamer Basha Dam Site

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.

Dry and Hot Weather of Diamer

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.

Plan to drive using alternate rout through Kaghan Valley, get weather updates, best travel time, and safe driving tips from our complete Babusar Pass Route Guide.