Visitors flock to the Shigar Valley every year to partake not only of the many cultural amenities, but also to enjoy the scenic beauty of the environment at the foothills to the Himalayas and Karakorums. The areas of Baltistan that surround Shigar are spectacular to visit. Take Skardu, a town that has mountains on all sides. You can drive for two hours and arrive in Khaplu, world-renown for its friendly and spiritual people.
Near Shigar is the Deosai Plateau (Deosai means “land of giants”), which is second in height to only the Tibetian plateau of Chang Tang. The plateau separates the western Himalayan Mountains from the Karakorum Range.
As you travel about, you will see tremendous, ancient trees and experience fresh mountain air and clear blue skies. Mountain streams are beautiful to see and hear. If you are lucky, you will spot one of the plant or animal species indigenous to the Deosai National Park, including wild flowers of every description, the brown bear, Himalayan ibex, red fox, golden marmot, gray wolf and the snow leopard. Bird-watchers will be thrilled when they see native eagles, vultures, falcons, kestrels, sparrowhawks and snowcocks.
The people of Skardu and Shigar valleys are as interesting as the wildlife. The dominant population is called “bality”, and their language, balti, is an old form of Tibetan. Most of these friendly, hospitable people are Muslim Shias of Tibetan descent. Other ethnic groups include Shins, Punjabis, Pashtuns, Hunzakuts and even the odd Uyghur.
The Skardu Valley is ten by 40 kilometers and is located where the Indus River meets the Shigar River. The latter is formed by glacial melting, and flows through the Shigar Valley. During the summer, the climate is mild compared to the intense heat of the Pakistani lowland. The mountains protect the valley from monsoons and rainstorms, leaving rainfall figures quite low in the warm months. Winter weather, however, is severe, due to the surrounding giant mountains.
Skardu itself is the premier town in Baltistan, situated high in the plateau at 8,200 feet. At center is the New Bazaar, in which hundreds of shops sell just about anything you would care to buy. Nearby are older bazaars at Purana and Kazmi. If you want more exercise than shopping provides, Skardu is a hub for trekking and expeditions. Of course, mountain climbers from around the world pass through the Shigar Valley on their way to such awesome challenges as K-2, the world’s second highest mountain.