The serenity of Ghanche: Of mountains, rivers and valleys

[VelocuR]

Pakistan: The serenity of Ghanche: Of mountains, rivers and valleys

Gilgit-Baltistan's Ghanche district stands almost aloof with its beautiful valleys and settlements inhabited by the most hospitable locals and river irrigated lands.

The central location in the district is Khaplu, which is a beautiful landscape with high summits, flowing blue waters and waterfalls.

The people of this small settlement on the bank of River Shyok, are warm and loving, as they were centuries before, when travellers, wandering through Yarkand and Saltoro, first arrived here.

As soon as one leaves Skardu, a narrow, paved road with poplar trees lined up on both sides provides a soothing shade for the travellers as they make their way through small specks of sunlight filtering through the leaves; casting shadows on the darkened road, leaving an aesthete spellbound.

The serenity of Ghanche: Of mountains, rivers and valleys - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

 

[VelocuR]

Going further ahead from Skardu, one passes by several herds of sheep and after crossing the bridge at River Indus, one finally enters Ghanche.

The old wooden bridge on the river is now in shambles. Skardu was left behind, Ghanche was in sight, but the scenery remained the same. One addition in the landscape is River Shyok. In local language, River Shyok translates into 'River of Death'. This river, originating from Rimu Glacier (next to Siachen Glacier) in Ladakh, enters Gilgit-Baltistan from Machlu, a village in Ghanche.

 

[VelocuR]

The Yabgu family made it to Khaplu from Central Asia and ruled this place for over 700 years. The fort-cum-palace has now been turned into Serena Hotel. In this settlement beside River Shyok, there is an old mosque, completely wooden in construction. The silence in the mosque is highly enchanting if one spends a few moments there.

Going a little ahead from Khaplu, the curvy road takes one to the delta of River Shyok, where it splits up, flowing through the gravel filled river plain. The peak of Mashabrum mountain can also be seen in the backdrop.

Further ahead is the village of Machlu, which is far from Skardu, and nearer to Khaplu. This village is settled under the shadow of walnut and poplar trees, and on the bank of river of death.

Yaks, milk, lassi, trout fish, boiled potatoes, happy Balti people, stick-picking women and children, clouds on the blue sky, Mashabrum peak, River Shyok, mountain spring, old wooden mosque, small shops — the beauty and serenity of Ghanche cannot be described in words.

by SYED MEHDI BUKHARI

The serenity of Ghanche: Of mountains, rivers and valleys - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

 

[Rain]

Breath taking beauty.

 

[Sheikh Rauf]

I sud visit this. Insha'Allah!

 

[WAJsal]

Wow , who knew .
@Color_Less_Sky , @Windjammer check this out your gonna love this .

 

[I.R.A]

Wow , who knew .
@Color_Less_Sky , @Windjammer check this out your gonna love this .

Ohhhh zalima may to sans laina he bhool gya tha. Simply too much beauty to consume at one time man.

 

[WAJsal]

Ohhhh zalima may to sans laina he bhool gya tha. Simply too much beauty to consume at one time man.

I wonder how many trips you are planning ? and to how many places ? lol .

 

[I.R.A]

I wonder how many trips you are planning ? and to how many places ? lol .

Life is too short man and these current times have made us machines no time for ourselves or explore all the beautiful places.

 

[WAJsal]

Life is too short man and these current times have made us machines no time for ourselves or explore all the beautiful places.

True .

 

[krash]

Wow , who knew .
@Color_Less_Sky , @Windjammer check this out your gonna love this .

Krash knew! Took these over the years,

The bridge crossing from Skardu into Ghanche,

Some other random bridge over Indus,

Ghanche is mostly dry and barren and starts getting monotonous till you reach Khaplu, unless you decide to ditch the road and start climbing up the slopes the way it is meant to:

continued*

 

[krash]

**

***

 

[krash]

****

Awesome people:

One of my regular guides and a really good friend from Barrah,Ghanche,

 

[aks18]

****

Awesome people:

One of my regular guides and a really good friend from Barrah,Ghanche,

Level Boss next time when ever i visited skardu will visit this place surely now

 

[WAJsal]

****

Awesome people:

One of my regular guides and a really good friend from Barrah,Ghanche,

You took these ? nice .