12D 11N Shandur Polo Festival Tour

Ghizer

Ghizer is the long valley running west from Gilgit towards Shandur Pass, and the Ghizer valley rewards travellers with turquoise rivers, trout, Phander and Khalti lakes, and far fewer crowds than Hunza. It forms the Gilgit-Baltistan approach to the Shandur polo ground and makes a peaceful detour from the Karakoram Highway.

Why visit the Ghizer valley

Ghizer lies in the Hindu Kush between Gilgit and the Chitral border, with Gahkuch as its main town, and reaches north towards Afghanistan's Wakhan. The Gilgit River and its tributaries, including the Yasin and Phander rivers, cut green strips of fields and poplars through otherwise bare mountains. Its highest peak is Koyo Zom at 6,871 metres. The valley sees a fraction of the visitors who reach Hunza, which is much of its appeal.

Places to visit in Ghizer

  • Phander Valley and Phander Lake: a clear roadside lake, known for its trout, about four to five hours' drive from Gilgit.
  • Khalti Lake: near Gupis, it freezes from about mid-December to February, when locals walk, skate and play on the ice.
  • Ghizer River near Gupis: a turquoise stretch of river west of Gupis, famed for trout fishing.
  • Yasin and Ishkoman: less-travelled side valleys with farming villages and routes into the high Hindu Kush.

Best time to visit Ghizer

  • April to June: fresh green fields, full rivers and the run-up to the Shandur Polo Festival.
  • July and August: warm days and the easiest crossing of Shandur Pass towards Chitral.
  • Late September and October: autumn colour in Phander, dry air and quiet roads.
  • Winter: Ghizer weather is harsh and Phander is very cold, but frozen Khalti Lake draws winter visitors.

How to reach Ghizer from Gilgit

The road leaves Gilgit westwards along the river through Gahkuch and Gupis. Phander is about 170 km from Gilgit, a drive of four to five hours, and the road continues past Teru to Shandur Pass and on into Chitral. Ghizer pairs well with Gilgit and Hunza, or with a crossing of Shandur to make a loop through Chitral. A night in Phander breaks up the journey and leaves time for a slow walk around the lake.

Ghizer tours

Ghizer features on our 12D 11N Shandur Polo Festival Tour. Read more about Shandur, or see the whole Gilgit-Baltistan region for other valleys to add to your trip.

Plan your trip to Ghizer

Choose a tour above, or tell us your dates and we will plan a private Ghizer itinerary with a driver, a local guide and guesthouse stays by the lakes.