Ghanchee

Welcome to Ghanchee

(Capital: Khapulo, Area: 8,531 Km², Population: 108,000)

Welcome to Ghanche! Here you will find a settlement inhabited by the most hospitable locals and situated among river-irrigated fields. It is aland blessed with a variety of all kinds of fruits: apples, apricots, grapes, cherries, and almonds. The world’s highest glacier, Siachen Glacier, exists in this region and is not accessible to anyone, due to the control line between Pakistan and India. The incomparable places of Ghanche are: Khaplu, Shyok River, Hushey Valley, Thalley Valley, and Ghanche Lake!

Khaplu

Khaplu is the Headquarters of the Ghanche. A mass of orchards adorns the region and boasts an abundance of apricot trees. The River Shyoke flows through the entire length of Khaplu town. Khaplu has many historical places to visit: The famous Chaqchan Mosque and the Tomb of Mir, which are about 600 years old. The Khaplu and Hushe Valleys join to form a gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the sub range of Karakoram that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (28,251.31ft, 8,611m), Broad Peak (26,400.92ft, 8,047m), Gasherbrum (26,246.72ft, 8,000m), and Masherbrum (25,659.45ft, 7,821m) all of which are encompassed in this region.

Siachen Glacier

Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram Range in the Himalaya Mountains along the disputed India-Pakistan border. It is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second longest in the world's non-polar areas. It ranges from an altitude of (18,874.46ft, 5,753m) above sea level at its source at Indira Col (pass) on the China border to its peak at (11,875ft, 3,620m).

Ghanche Lake

This lake is situated above Khaplu Town and has not been touched or affected by the passage of time. Bara village is an isolated destination of orchards and trees near Khaplu. There are two lakes situated in Bara and Bara Paen. Ghanche has many scenic attractions. Some of them are Hanjoor Broq/Khaplu Broq, Bara Broq, Surmo Broq, Thalley Broq, Farawa Broq, Chari Broq, Saltoro Broq, Hassan Abad Broq, and Keris.

Mountains of Ghanche

Ghanche is a truly primitive, rustic paradise for mountaineers and explorers, as it has many peaks of over (20,000ft, 6096m). In the Mashabrum Range, Mashaburum, popularly known as K-1 (25,660ft, 7821.168m), is the most famous one. Others include:

• K-6 (23,890ft, 7281.672m)
• Dansam or K-13 (21,870ft, 6665.976m)
• Mount Gent, Skil Brum (24,278ft, 7399.9344m)
• Pioneer Peak (22,172ft, 6453.2256m), K-7 (22,753ft, 6935.1144m)
• Urdokas Massive (20,892ft, 6367.8816m)
• Liligo Peak (20,508ft, 6250.8384m) etc.

The Saltoro Range is comprised of Saltoro Kangari or Pear 36 (25,400ft, 7741.92m), Sherpi Kangri (23,960ft, 7,303.008m), K-12(or peak -8, 24,503 ft, 7468.5144m); Mount Chent or Khundus Peak(24,278ft, 7399.9344m)etc. the Panma Muztagh Range consists of Ogre Peak (23,900ft, 7284.72m), Baintha Brakh (22,044ft, 6719.0112m), Snow Lake(21,630ft, 6592.824m), B-15 (23,914ft, 7288.9872m). The Siachen Muztagh Range consists of: Teram kangri, (24,489ft, 7464.2472m).

Ghanche is rich in wildlife and is famous for its ibex, chakors, Ram Chakors, partridges, ducks, etc., which are in abundance in all parts of Ghanche. Trout fish can be seen at Karfaq Lake, Bara Lake and in Hushey Valley. Some Buddhist sites/inscriptions have also been discovered at Karfaq, Thagus, and Saltoro. Ghanche is home to some of the most attractive rivers, mainly the Shyoke and Sailing Rivers.

Shyok River

The Shyok River flows through Ladakh and the disputed area between India and Pakistan. The Shyok River (a tributary of the Indus) originates from the Rimo Glacier, one of the tongues of Siachin Glacier, and becomes very wide at the confluence with the Nubra River (a tributary of Shyok, originating from Siachin Glacier).

Hushey Valley

The 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 Mount, Ghant, Linksar, Moonlight and many peaks of (22,965ft, 7,000m) elevation exist in this valley.

Shigar

Shigar Valley is the gateway to mighty K2. All trekking and mountaineering expeditions access K2 and Concordia via Shigar Valley. Shigar is the land in which the Braldu River originates from the Baltoro glacier; and the river owes its bright, turquoise blue water to its glacial source.

From an aerial view, the scene below looks as if an artist had filled the canvas with abstract strokes of blue, green and brown colors. Going through Shigar Valley, this road terminates at Askole, the last settlement of Shigar District, and from there, mountaineers begin their campaign to scale K2 and Broad Peak (K3).

Shigar Fort

The actual name of this fort is Fong Khar, which means “The Palace on Rock”. This is one of the top and most enigmatic destinations in Shigar. It was built by Raja Azam Khan in the 17th century. The fort of Shiger was leased by the Serena Hotel for 50 years. Now it is a World Heritage Hotel.