Basho Valley Tour – A Complete Guide

Basho valley is one of the first places that just took my breath away. I went back again and agian unable to get enough of the valley. Each and every single time I went there I was mesmerised and astounded at the sight of its beauty. It has been a secret valley hidden away from most people due to it rough route.

Basho Valley Forest

Short break in this beautiful spot while hiking in the Basho Forest

I went to Basho for a day trip the first time, next time I stayed for a week and retured to the valley to spend a night there. All of these experinece have been amazing to me. Nothing wiill ever beat wake up in Basho valley.

The Basho valley is not far from Skardu city. It is a valley with pine forest surrounded by the towering granite mountains and glaciers.

Me along with my travel party took our  4X4 vehicle to reach the top most valley in Basho. We started our journery moving towards the Skardu airport side crosiing the Skardu bridge and on to the Gilgit-Skardu linkroad. After 20 mins on the linkroad we took a right on a downward rough slope that lead to the wooden hanging bridge. The bridge led us to the Basho Valley. 

Basho Valley is the whole area opposite the highway with numerous small villages and seetlements. Our destination was Sultanabad that last village settlement at an altitude of 4200 meters. 

Once you start on the Basho road it is a single space road leaving not much room for vehicle to cross or overtake each other. The rough road goes  through the villages as it sprials upwards with bumps, sharp turns and numerous switch backs before finally reaching the top. 

We witnessed many cultivated farm lands, apicot, plum and grape tress. People going by their day and happy and ecited children waving at us from their rooftops.

As we gained height the senery shifted from villages and tress to towering mountains, flowing river and juniper tress.  after one sharpe turn we found ourselves in a lush green plain with streams flowing.  We immeidatley stop amazied and astounded by the unexpected breathtaking landscape. We took few picttures and our driver told us that we have to drive further 1 more minute. I could have happily stayed there but going further we realized that the main valley was much wider. The river flowing smooth on one side and  cows grazing in the green fields.

Basho Valley – On the way to the Forest Hike

Far from everything this is paradise on earth called Sultanabad Basho. The last inhabited valley with approximately 150 households. Sulatanabad village people inhibit one corner of the valley. The most striking structure is the school building, centrally build in the valley.

Basho Valley River

The river flows into multiple stream in the valley before joining at one point. We stop at a small cabin at the point where the jeep road ends for tea. 

Background:

The locals believe that the glacier used to cover the whole area of Sultnabad but it slowly recceded backwards. The rocks and moraine like structure have still ice underneath. The local use these areas as cold storage for their fruits and crops during summer. 

The Juniper forest is one of the few virgin forest in the area but deforestaion rate is very high. The locals use need it for firewood. Fruits don’t grow at such a high altitute. The best produce of the village is the potatoes which the local sell in Skardu markets. 

Accomadation in Basho Valley:

We stayed at the forest department guest houses. There are only two guest houses which belongs to the forest department which can be booked. However running water and electricity are not availble.

Basho Guest House

We brought our own sheets, small balnkets and got the electricty fixed for our trip. After talking to the owner/ manger we arranged for hot water (heated over the firewood stove) and cleaning of the rooms and washroom for some additional cost (which we were willing to pay). 

The river side camping site offers one or two camps. It is best to bring all the gear incluindg camps, sleeping bags and gears if you are planning to camp at Basho.  

Weather Conditions and What to Pack:

The weather at Sultanabad ranges from warm plesant day to cold windy evening and night. 

For a day trip keep sweaters and shwals for day but keep coats for evening.

Exploring the forest at Basho Valley

For longer trip pack coats, sweaters and warm clothes. During over stay in July the weather was very cold and rained the whole week. It was as cold as winters. Oher times I visited on a sunny days we were very conforatble in just shawl and sweater. 

Things to Do in Basho Valley

Basho is two to three hours from Skardu on a jeep road, The road is exhausting and tiring with many switchbacks and bumpy road. The best thing to do is to spend a few hours at Basho. Here are few activities to do on your trip. 

Lunch Picnic at Basho Valley:

Pack up your lunch and go eat it at Basho while exploring the main valley for a few hours.

Camping:

Camp by the river side. Make sure to take all the neceesaries and expect cold and cilly weather. 

Explore Basho Valley:

Explore the pine forest areas which keep going on and on. The streams runs between the juniper forest. no wild or dangerous animals in the lower regions. If you are an experienced trekker yu can reach a small waterfall. 

Find the Ice Cave: If you move upstream it will lead you to the rocky boulders where glacial ice is still present under huge rocks. Local call it ice cave. once you go under the rock you can feel like ice cold and might see ice. I never saw much ice during summers but nevertheless it was a fun hike which was less than 15 minutes from the tea cabin. 

Fishing:

The Basho river has some delicious tout, if you like fishing find an isolated space and spend your day fishing. Local boys fished small fishes in there nets for us which Fida deep fried for our dinner. 

Trekking:

If you love adventures go for a trek to the other areas above the Basho where local have grazing land or trek to the glacier or Passes.

The riverside cabin is run by a local named Fida.  He is a generous man who runs a small cabin and can cook really delicious meals. He will tell you about the small hikes within the village and fill you in on everything related to the area.

Posing with the local Storage under the Rocks that stays cool due to the Ice beneath them

Wifi and Connectivity

The basho region only get SCOM signals at specific points. The Sultanabd village doesn’t have any mobile connectivity. To make calls one can hike towards some points outside the village. The only connection in the vllage is a card phone for which you might have to visit locals home. 

Tips to Prepare for Basho Valley Tour:

The lush green plans, the towering granite mountain, the juniper forest and river all are pretty as picture. Since the region is remote and isolated you will not find any basic item. We shopped at Skardu city for groceries, basic everyday items and gears. 

• Go in a 4X4
• Depending on the number of day get your food supply. The people at the cabin will cook it for you at a small cost.
• For camping make proper arrangements and contact your guide and confirm with local people for safety.
• Take warm clothes and jackets
• No lurxurious facilities are availble
• Jeep and other vehicles are not avilable in valley.
• The people are conservative and women often change direction when they see starngers. Avoid going to their village and settlement without invitation.

Basho Valley Map