Rupal Resort

Getting to Astore

Skardu Airport is the nearest airport to Astore, 62 km away in a straight line from the centre. Arrivals usually continue by road, and the drive takes a few hours depending on road conditions. Roads are narrow in places and can be affected by landslides in the monsoon months, so it is wise to allow for delays and to check conditions before setting out.

Around Astore

In Astore, the valley sits at about 2600 metres and is a broad, green valley rather than a single sight. The river runs through the middle, fed by snowmelt from the Deosai plateau and the peaks to the east. The valley is greener and wetter than the Karakoram valleys further north, with pine and juniper on the slopes and small streams feeding the main river. It is lower and softer than the Karakoram valleys to the north, and quieter than Hunza or Skardu, with fewer visitors. Villages sit among terraced fields of wheat, maize and potatoes, with apricot and walnut trees near the houses. The main draws are the valley itself and the approaches to Deosai. In summer, the meadows above the villages are used for grazing and are open to walkers.

Around Astore, Fairy Meadows is a grassy shelf on the north side of the Nanga Parbat massif, and Astore is a practical base for the eastern side of Deosai. The valley is greener and wetter than the Karakoram valleys further north, with pine and juniper on the slopes, small streams feeding the main river, and villages among terraced fields of wheat, maize and potatoes, with apricot and walnut trees near the houses.

Astore through the year

June to September is the best time in Astore, with June, July and August the strongest months. Summers are mild, with daytime temperatures comfortable and nights cool. May and September are good months, and March, April and October are possible. January, February, November and December are off season.

Winters bring heavy snow, and side roads and high tracks close. Electricity can be intermittent, and heating in winter is limited. Book ahead in summer, when workers and travellers pass through.

Places to stay in Astore: what to expect

Resorts and lodges in Astore are a small group, a mix of simple, mid-range and unrated stays. Almost all list car parking, and many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast, family rooms, a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service, a garden and air conditioning. The front desk and shuttle service help travellers arriving by road and planning days out in the valley, while family rooms and breakfast suit families. The garden and air conditioning are useful in the mild summers, when daytime temperatures are comfortable.

Guest houses in Astore form a small group, mostly without a star rating. Almost all list car parking, family rooms and a garden, which suits families arriving by road and drivers who want to keep their vehicle close. Many list free Wi-Fi, breakfast, heating, a kitchen, room service and a shuttle service. The kitchen and family rooms make guest houses a practical choice for families staying a few nights, and heating matters given the cool nights and the heavy snow of winter.

Staying in Astore: questions