Trip to Astore, Deosai, Tarshing Point, PTDC Model Astore, Gilgit, Naltar 07-1

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The born fire and the party began

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Inside my Tent lit up by some glow lights

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The Gang With a Bang

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The best Shot of Nana Parbat I got from Tarshing early morning

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Drop down to Astore we went to our Mess, Checked out took all our luggage as we had planned to leave from PTDC model onwards the next day. So with all our luggage we started for PTDC motel Rama at around 1600 hrs. But we were facing another phenomina. There was shortage of fuel in Astore valley but we still decided to go and went up to Rama. When we reached there it was almost 1800 hrs, the light was fast vanishing and we had to setup camps and cook food. So we setup our camps and for food we found a short cut. At the camp site there was a pvt group of locals who were running a camp and messing service type of stuff. As PTDC only entertains when you have advanced booking. We had bought raw chicken and other stuff from Astore bazar, we gave it to the Messing arrangement at the camping site and they made excellent korma for us and Chapatees and salad all in 800rs only. Food for 19 people prepared by 2000 hrs and setup in a tent which was arranged as a Mess. So we really enjoyed their service and then the night party started.

....Here i really enjoyed the night stay lying under a clear sky, with stars and high mountains and the epic beauty of snow covered peaks under the moon light. Guys its breath taking and it refreshes your soul even. We were warned by the local camp party that there are cases of local thugs and issues from the Chilas tribes in the region , people crossover at night from the mountain and can do damage. But we were well prepared for any such stuff so no worries. The night passed all okey.

Day 4: And here we became a parasitic mob for the PTDC, all of us enjoyed there rest rooms and stuff and have breakfast at PTDC model. It costed 3000 rs for 20 eggs, 40 slices of bread and 20 cups of tea. There average rooms costed 3000 Rs per night and the higher huts type were 10k to 13k i guess, but with a family trip this is a pretty neat place to be. Its save, its comfortable and it is the site to enjoy Nanga Parbat views with family. the other two gov resthouses were 2k per head per room charges. There service was also nice. As me and my friend Saqib woke up again on day 4 at 0500 hrs and i was bathing in the rising sun and enjoying the golden peaks of mountain under the rising sunshine. For me this was the real gain of the trip those 30 mins of early morning when the darkness turns to morning.

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ist Views of Nanga Parbat Peak early morning from Rama! At an altitude of 2800 mtrs

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30 mins after Sunrise. The valley filling up with light

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Inside Views of PTDC Rama

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A view of the Valley from the stairs of PTDC Rama

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Day 4: From Rama at around 1100 hrs we set course down for Astore, then out of Astore Valley onto kkh and now we were heading towards Gilgit. We reached gilgit around 1400 hrs and to our amazement there was no fuel in whole Gilgit Baltistan Valley! Bingo i got you there, since our trip was just after Eid ul Fitar, and prior to eid the Gov had some issues of the Fuel prices so after eid the fuel reserves for the Valley had not been moved. Here i need to mention that for the whole valley and owing to its altitude the fuel is supplied by PSO and Shell as biggest suppliers and only small size fuel trucks can climb up the valley on KKH. After last refueling in Astore on ist night when we reached now in 3 days the city, corolla and altis were on 1/2 and the nani Pajero was on 1/4. In gilgit we split in two teams, Me and my friend Farhan stayed back for fuel and next day went to Naltar, the rest of the gang went on to Hunza. We had been to hunza before so we wanted to enjoy Naltar this time in detail.

Here I would like to mention the greatness of the people of Gilgit baltistan. There were only 2 fuel stations with fuel that night with cues of almost 100 people on both, but since we were outside tourists and had to move out from gilgit they gave us priority and filled 10 litre cans for us. 1 from each station, so all my respect for the GIB people, there hospitality and attitude towards tourists is unmatched. We the people of plains should respect them with all our hearts.

Day 5: Next morning we planned to go to Naltar, My stay was booked at PAF mess in Naltar. We left gilgit at around 1100 hrs and reached Naltar at 1300 hrs. The path is simply epic, mountain canyon with a high speed river by your side. If you come to this part in May, its the cherry season and going from Gilgit to Naltar you cross Nomal village, this is the land of best cherries in Pakistan. Yes, a huge cherry supply comes from here. We had enjoyed that alot last year, this time it was June end so this time no cherries but we had the Gilgit Apples, the gilgity peaches and other stuff to enjoy. From Gilgit crossing Nomal you reach Naltar and then Naltar bala. We stopped at the Mess, checked in and simply enjoyed the place. At the top point of Naltar bala i.e. 2800 mtrs. You have a PAF mess, An Army mess, A Wapda Mess and also few pvt hotels now coming up.

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Gilgit to naltar, After crossing Nomal village

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Views of the Canyon path towards Naltar

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I visited the place last year in May that time this was a friendly stream. This year in June end the river was a beast of its own kind.

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Taken from the bridge cross over in the Canyon I love the Scary waters

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The Road to Naltar is okey, its a jeep track to be exact, but i have seen local NCP cars will high shocks also going up the track. When you reach the Naltar baba the valley views are just epic!

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PAF Mess Naltar

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Vies of naltar Valley

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After reaching Naltar, we settled down and then after lunch went up to sleep, the affect of the valley got to us and it was one of the coziest naps i ever had, got up at around 1600 hrs and then me and my friend went for a walk in the valley, Naltar is classy! For any Valley lover it has all you need. A 2 hrs connectivity from Gilgit. Good accomodations now available. Few spots for food as well now in the Naltar Bazar and above all it aint crowded! You can have the valley to your self. For honeymooners it a go Getter! Indeed. That night we just relaxed and enjoyed. The views of a stary Night from Naltar top is classy.

Day 6: Next Morning We got some nice Parathas and Eggs made from the Mess packed in hotpot and set off on our journey forward. The main areas for adventure seekers is ahead of Naltar, towards Naltar lakes. There is a series of Lakes, the ist one comes after a walk track of 6 hrs, The locals would say its just 2 hrs but dont get fooled by it, Its track is moderate trekking not very hard but it is long surely. So this time, we took our jeep for it. The jeep trail is easily and at few places is tricky. Till ist lake its all well. From there to 2nd its bit tricky, For the 3rd and the largest one, you need to leave your jeep there and then climb up at 45 deg gradient for around 1 hr 30 mins, and from there on and on there is 4 and 5 and more. When we visited the place last year the peaks around the 1st were still covered in snow and herds of Yaks and local nomads could be seen around, this time in late June they were all cleared and green, the Yaks had got up the valley. The 1st lake is called Satrangi Lake as you can see seven shades of green in it. The 2nd one is just blue diamond to say the least. The 3rd one we didnt attempt as we had to leave the jeep and werent comfortable leaving it unattended. The locals of Naltar Bala and the Nomal Villages are not that tourist friendly, so with all respect to their culture and customs please take care and avoid any controversy please as its their land in the ist place, you just an outsider.