Rondu (Gilgit Baltistan)
Rondu district is part of Gilgit-Baltistan and was given the status of district in 2019. Before that, it was part of the Skardu district. It is composed of the Rondu valley only which is the fourth largest valley in Gilgit-Baltistan. Dambudas is the headquarters of the Rondu district.
The Rondu district is situated along the Indus River at a distance of 142 km from Gilgit City. It is bounded by Gilgit, Shigar, Skardu, and Astore districts. It can be accessed through the Karakoram Highway. After crossing the Jaglot, you have to take a right turn on Skardu Road S-1. As you have crossed the bridge over the Gilgit River, you will be toward the Rondu district.
The Rando district has several scenic and lush green valleys along the Indus River including Bilamik, Stak, Talu Broq, Gunji, Tormik, and Dambudas. These are full of orchards and terraced fields with various crops.
Dambudas is the main town on Skardu Road in the Rondu district. There are several shops and restaurants. Few guest houses are also available there. So while moving toward Skardu, you can take a short stay here to eat something or take a rest for a while.
Thowar is a small town near Dambudas on the right bank of the Indus River. It has several lush green pastures and orchards. It also has a number of administrative buildings in the Rondu District.
Stak valley is located on the right bank of the Indus River. After crossing the Stak River, one has to take a left turn on the Astak Road to access the valley. Stak valley is famous due to Kutia Lungma Glacier, Haramosh Peak, Stak La Pass, and Parabar Peak. Stak valley has fertile land and is famous for various fruit orchards.
Kutia Lungma Glacier is situated in the Karakoram Range in Stak Valley. It is about 12 km long and 3 km wide. The unique story about this glacier is much famous, due to its movement and expansion down toward the fertile land. But due to climate change, it stopped its movement and retreated back.
Haramosh Peak, also known as Peak-58, is located in the Haramosh valley in the Karakoram Range at an elevation of 24,308 feet above sea level. It has two summits, Haramosh Peak and Haramosh Kutwal Laila Peak. It was scaled in 1958 by an Austrian team.
Stak La is a high mountain pass in Stak Valley in Gilgit Baltistan at an elevation of 4,592 meters. It connects the Rondu district with the Shigar district.
Paraber Peak is located in the Stak Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan at an elevation of 6,322 meters above sea level.
Tormik Valley is located next to Dambodas on the right bank of the Indus River. Tormik road turns to the left side of Skardu Road along the Tormik River. From the valley, one can access Stak La pass and Basha valley. Valley is full of fruit orchards of different fruits such as apricot, apple, mulberry, and cherry.
Ganji Valley is located next to Silbu in the Rondu district on the left bank of the Indus River. A road from Skardu Road turns on the right ride by crossing over a bridge over the Indus River toward Ganji Valley. It spread both sides of the Ganji Gah with lush green pastures. The valley is full of lush green meadows and fruit orchards.
The weather in the Rondu district is most pleasant in the summer season, whereas it becomes cold in the winter season. There is heavy snowfall in the winter season.