Balghar | My Heart

My Heart | Balghar
My Heart | Balghar
My Heart | Balghar
My Heart | Balghar

About Balghar Valley

Balghar is a village in Ghanche, Gilgit_Baltistan, Pakistan on the bank of Shyok River, The Shyok River meets Indus raver at Keris about 30 kilometers west of Balghar. Balghar is a beautiful village. The Thallay stream divides Balghar in two parts. The bigger part also referred as Balghar consist of 10 large and small Muhallahs and the smaller part consist of four Muhalahs. The population of Balghar is about 9,000

About District Ghanche

Khaplu is the Headquarters of District Ghanche and basic civic facilities are available. The main town of Khaplu is quite beautiful and worth visiting. Khaplu is spread in a radius about two square miles. One may find a mass of orchard around with abundance of apricot tress. River shyoke flows through the entire length of Khaplu town. A small bazaar exists in Khaplu and the necessary items of daily life are available here. One can also get transportation to every village and valleys of Ghanche from Khaplu. Khaplu has many historical places to visit i.e. Khaplu palace about 600 years old (under rehabilitation process by AKCSP), the famous Chaqchan Mosque and the Tomb of Mir. Following lines and picture give a flavor so much of the natural beauty in Khaplu. Hushey Valley is the most attractive place to visit in district Ghanche. A chain of lofty peaks i.e. Mashabrum, K-6, K-7, K-12, Sherpikngh, Sia kangri, saltoro kangri, mt.Ghant, linksar, moonlight and many others more than 7000 meter exist in this valley. Thalley Valley is another beautiful spot. The lush green valley and beautiful scenery is marvelous. Ghanche has a number of beautiful lakes like: Kharfaq, Ghanche,Bara and Daholi Lakes which are matchless. Kharfaq Lake is situated about 3 Kms above Kharfaq village and gives an inspiring view while travelling by road to Khaplu. The fresh and crystal water lake is famous for trout fish and attractive location for camping and linking with other places. The lake is stocked with trout fish and one has to walk about two hours to reach the lake. A jeep road is under construction. Ghanche Lake is situated above Khaplu Town and is has not come to the lime light as yet.

Bara is a Beautiful village abandoned of orchards and trees near Khaplu. There are two lakes situated in Bara one in Bara Paen and the other in Bara Bala. Ghanche has many scenic places which attract various tourists. Some of them are Hanjoor Broq/Khaplu Broq, Bara Broq, Surmo Broq, Thalley broq, Farawa Broq, Chari Broq, Saltoro Broq and Hassan Abad Broq and Keris.
Ghanche is really a mountaineer paradise as it has many peaks of over 20,000 feet. In Mashabrum Range, Mashaburum popularly known as K-1(25660ft), is the most famous one. Others include: K-6 (23890ft), Dansam or K-13 (21870ft),Mount Gent, , Skil Brum (24278ft), Pioneer Peak (22172ft), K-7 (22753ft), Urdokas Massive (20892ft), Liligo Peak( 20508ft) etc. Saltoro Range is comprised of Saltoro Kangari or Pear 36 (25400ft), Sherpi kangri( 23960ft), K-12(or peak -8( 24503), Mount Chent or khundus Peak( 24278ft) etc. Panma Muztagh Range consists of Ogre Peak (23900ft), Baintha Brakh( 22044ft), Snow lake (21630ft), B-15 (23914ft). Siachen Muztagh Range consists of: Teram kangri, (24489ft), Mount Rose (923604ft), Aposos (236095ft).
Ghanche is rich in wildlife and is a famous place for trophy hunting, Hunting is allowed /Authorised under proper hunting licenses from the Govt and WWF Northern Areas. Hunting of Khail or Ibex is possible in: Khaplu nallah, Thalley, Hushey, Kanday, Bara, Kundus, Saltoro and Frano nullahs. For small games, one may find Chikors, Ram Chikors, Patridges, ducks etc which are in abundance in all parts of Ghanche. Conditioned to valid permits, fishing can be done at Karfaq Lake, Bara Lake and in Hushey Valley. Some Buddah Sites/ Inscriptions have also been discovered at Karfaq, Thagus and Saltoro.

 District Ghanche is home to some of the most attractive rivers mainly Shyoke and Sailing Rivers. Alongside these rivers are the beautiful settlements and the water from these rivers is basically the lifeblood for the population here. In these valleys, amongst other cultural aspects; traditional Sword Dance and polo are of great attraction for men. The communication between Baltistan and outside world is by Air from Islamabad and by Road from Rawalpindi to Skardu via KKH and Skardu.There is road transportation service from Gilgit to Skardu through KKH and skardu road and from Gilgit to Skardu through astor road crossing over famous Deosai Pleato. The Pakistan Airline operates daily schedule service of Boeing which takes off from Islamabad airport. The air service from Islamabad to Skardu is an amazing journey soars over snow clad mountains and passes close to Nanga Parbat(26660ft) the worlds fourth highest mountain. In a clear sunny day the K-2 ( 28250ft) , the worlds second highest mountain in the Karakurum range can be seen from Babusar pass while in the plane. Ghanche district is only accessible by road from Skardu through mettaled road by Bus and Van. The distance between Skardu and Khaplu the district headquarters is about 103 Km and take two and half hour. Buses, Vans and Jeep service from Skardu to Khaplu and to another villages from like Doghoni, thalley, Hushey, Chorbat, Mashabrum, Saltoro and Kondus are available . Other then this you can hire taxi or jeep on rent to reach your destination are easily available in Skardu or in Khaplu town.