Yasin Valley

Yasin Valley, Babaye-e-Yasen, is a valley in Hindu Kush Range at an average altitude of 26,00 meters, in Gupis-Yasin district, Baltistan, at the distance of 128 km from Gilgit main city and accessible through Chitral Road from Gilgit along the Gilgit River.

Accessing Yasin Valley

From Gupis town, turn right by crossing the bridge over the Yasin River. Then drive on winding Yasin Valley road along the Yasin River. That narrow paved road leads to Yasin village within one and a half hour. The terraced fields are well organized along the bed of river toward the foot Hindukush Range. Lush green Yasin village is the main town of the Yasin Valley.

Yasin River main source of water

The lower part of Yasin valley is wider and flat, so it gives vast beauty of lush green meadows in the high mountains. Due to the availability of water in the form of several streams, it provides a full layered irrigation system along the Yasin River. You can see layers of fields along the Yasin River as well as along the streams coming toward the Yasin River.

Mountain Passes in Yasin Valley

Yasin Valley is important for number of high mountain passes, those are normally covered with snow all over the year. These passes are short-cut routes to access the adjoining areas such as Chitral, Ishkoman, as well as Turkmenistan crossing the narrow strip of Wakan Corridor in Afganistan. The most important of those passes are Darkut, Buroghil, Assumbur, Thoi, Naz Bar, etc.

Darkut Settlement & Darkut Pass

Darkut is the last high-altitude village in the Yasin Valley. The alpine trek of Darkut Pass leads to Broghil valley and Wakhan corridor starts from the Darkut village. It requires 4x4 vehicles to access the Darkut village, from where trekking is required to access the Darkut Pass and Darkut Glacier. In front of the Darkut Glacier, there is glacial lake, known as Darkut Lake. From the sides of the lake, one can trek on the loose moraines toward the Darkut Glacier behind the lake.

Nazbar Meadows

From the main Taus Bazaar, a 4x4 jeep trek leads toward Nazbar meadows along the Nazbar Nallah. A trek sharply ascends toward the high-mountains that creates high and powerful flow in the Nallah. Hiking is required where jeep is not suitable to move forward. After the extreme hiking, the trek extends into the wider lush green meadows. It gives a splendid panoramic view of the meadows in front of snow-covered mountains. In the summer season, the grazing animals gives another charming view of the meadows. From the Nazbar meadows, the alpine trek leads to the Darkut Pass after crossing Darkut Glacier.

Monument of Lalak Jan Shaheed

Hundur Village is located on ten minutes drive from the Yasin village. There is monument of Nishan-e-Haider Lalak Jan Shaheed. He was martyred during the Kargil war between Pakistan and India in 1999 on the Line of Control. Park your vehicle in the parking area just over the main road. Then you have to walk for few minutes to enter the monument boundaries. Momument is beautifully designed in square shaped with small parks in all of the corners and grave is in the center of the courtyard.

Historical Muduri Fort

Near the banks of the Yasin River, one can also explore the historic Muduri Fort by crossing the terraced fields of Yasin valley. The ruins of the fort can be observed clearly. Fort was constructed with mud-and-stone to protect the valley from attackers.

Traditional Cultures of Yasin Valley

Yasin Valley provides the pure traditional culture of Gilgit region. People of the Yasin Valley are polite and cooperative. They welcome tourists with open-handed and guide them to explore the valley. The locals love to live on simple food by cultivate their own small vegetable garden. There are numerous orchids of fruits including cherry, almonds, apple, apricot, etc. These fruit tree are also available along the roads and treks, so you can enjoy these natural fruits free of cost.

Traditional Polo in Yasin Valley

Yasin Valley is famous for playing traditional polo. There are also a polo ground just near the historical Muduri Fort on the bank of the Yasin River. One can enjoy the local polo matches in summer season if visited after noon. Yasin Valley's polo team also participates in the annual Shandur Festival held on the Shandur Pass.

Superstitions of Bridle/Groom Death and Bleeding Hand

As various superstitions are common in most of the hilly areas, such type of superstitions are common in the Yasin Valley too. Most of the people in this area, believes to scarify a hen before marriage near Damalgan in beginning of the Yasin Valley, to avoid bad fairies in bridle or expected death of one of the bridle or groom.

Local people also avoid to cultivate onion or garlic in specific areas in the Yasin Valley, otherwise there will be bleeding hand instead of bulb of onion or garlic on pulling it out. They have the belief of some spiritual creatures in the valley do not like the smell of onion and garlic

Continue straight on the Gilgit-Shandur road along the Gilgit River to explore lakes with shades of Popular trees, check out our Phander & Khalti Lake Guide.

About Gupis Yasin

Gupis Yasin is located in the west of Gilgit-Baltistan in the high mountains at an elevation of 7,139 feet in the Hindu Kush Range at a distance of 187 KM from the Gilgit main city. It is given the status of district in 2019 and separated from Ghizer district including Gupis, Yasin, and Phander.