Shigar

Shigar is a district on the banks of the Shigar River near Skardu at a distance of 239 km from Gilgit city via Skardu. There are several beautiful valleys and adventurous treks, which attract thousands of visitors from all over the world. It is the gateway to K2, the second highest peak in the world in the Karakoram Mountain Range.

Shigar is attached with Nagar, Hunza, Skardu, Ghanche, Rondu, and Gilgit. It has a boundary with the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region under the control of China. Before 2015, Shigar was part of the Skardu district. Most of the area of the Shigar district is desert and barren with an average elevation of 7,320 to 7,510 feet. It has several scattered lush green valleys and orchards for best quality fruits such as apples, cherries, apricots, and walnuts.

How to Access Shigar Valley

From the main Skardu town, journey to Shigar valley is started after crossing the massive iron suspension bridge over the wider channel where the Shigar River meets with the braided gray channels of the Indus River. Drive through the stark and glaring white sand dunes of the Sarfranga Cold Desert, where the heavy wind whip patterns into the sand dunes right in front of the base of vertical granite high altitude mountain walls. After crossing the cold desert, the landscape is emerged into the lush, fertile heart of the Shigar oasis with dense dense groves of walnuts, reddish cherry trees, heavy apricot orchards, and cascading mountain streams.

Gateway to K2 Base Camp

Shigar is the headquarter of the Shigar district and is situated along the bank of the Shigar River. It is a most favorite tourist site for trekkers and mountaineers. It is a homeland of five Eight-thousanders mountains in the Karakoram Range. K2, the second highest peak in the world, is also located in the above list. Instead of inaccessible places and remote areas in Shigar, there are most favorite places to visit such as Shigar Fort, Khilingrong Mosque, K2 Basecamp, etc.

Historical Shigar Fort

Shigar Fort, also known as Fong Khar, is one of the oldest forts in Baltistan. It was built during the Amacha Dynasty in the 17th century. The inner palace building is beautiful finished with Kashmiri wood carvings on the Tibetan structural frameworks. Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan has restored the fort and converted it into a museum and a luxury and world-class hotel managed by Serena Hotels. Museum is available for general public from 9AM to 6PM on daily basis. It is located on the bank of the Bauma-Harel Lungma River in Shigar town on a forty minutes drive from Skardu.

On the premises of the Shigar Fort, there is another historical mosque called Khilingrong Mosque. It was beautifully constructed using wooden plunks in the 17th century. The mosque is also restored by the Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan.

Amburiq - Oldest Mosque in Gilgit-Baltistan

Amburiq Mosque is one of the oldest mosques in Gilgit-Baltistan and was built by Sayed Ali Hamdani in the Shigar Valley in 15th century. A small road leads toward the mosque from the Shigar road after crossing the Sarfaranga Cold Desert. One can access it with a 10-minute walk from the main Shigar Bazaar. The mosque was built by Iranina craftsman by using Cater and Cribbage interlocking technique of defining the layout by using timbers.

Sarfaranga - The Cold Desert

Sarfaranga Cold Desert, also known as Katpan Cold Desert, is located on the left bank of the Indus River at an altitude of 2,226 meters and spreads toward the Shigar River. It is a homeland of different unique and diverse flora and fauna. It is the highest cold desert in the world. It gives a splendid view of the sand dunes under the shades of snow-capped mountains on the horizon. It gives a number of scenic views at different times of the day. The Katpana Desert Jeep rally festival is organized every year in the Sarfranga Desert, in which visitors participate from all over Pakistan.

Trek to Blind Lake

Blind Lake, also known as Zharba Lake, is situated on the left bank of the Shigar River in the Sarfranga Desert. One can be accessed it by trekking inside the Safranga Desert or by using a 4x4 jeep. It gives scenic and fantastic views due to the Safranga Desert and high mountains on the opposite side. The crystal clear freshwater of lake is merging with the rocky hillsides. It is normally served as a water reservoir for the residents of Shighar Valley. Lake is call blind call due to no visible inlet or outlet channel of water.

K2 Base Camp trek via Askole

At the far extreme end of the valley, a 5 to 6 hours unpaved and rugged jeep trek leads toward Askole to access the K2 Basecamp. Askole is the last settlement before moving toward the raw wilderness of the Baltoro Glacier. It is major starting camp to perform K2 and Concordia base camp expeditions.

K2 Basecamp is the most adventurous trek via Shigar Valley. It is much difficult and technical trek, so only expert trekkers are recommended for this trek. One can view the world's highest peaks and glaciers in the Karakoram Range along the trek. Baltoro Glacier is the fifth largest non-polar glacier in the world and is also on the trek toward the K2 Basecamp. Gasherbrum, Broad Peak, and K2 are the most prominent peaks on the trek. One can also observe the most stunning peaks of Cathedral, Trango, and Lobsang. Rather difficult, but the K2 basecamp trek will be the most memorable in your life.

Askole - the Last Settlement in Karakoram Range

Askole is a small village at an elevation of 3,040 meters above sea level. It is the last settlement in the Shigar valley on the high mountains after the wilderness of the high Karakoram Range started to access K2 Basecamp. Askole is the first base camp to start the final trekking to access the K2 Basecamp as well as other fourteen high peaks in the Karakoram Range.

The weather of Shighar is cold in the winter season, whereas in the summer season, the temperature may rise to 30 Celcius. Due to heavy rainfall in the winter season, it becomes difficult to access.

Searching for the jeep rally event schedules, ATV rental rates, and desert night photography, check out our Sarfranga Cold Desert Guide.