Hotel Golden Eyes & Restaurant

Getting to Khaplu

Skardu Airport is the nearest airport, about 75 km from the centre of Khaplu in a straight line. Arrivals usually continue by road, and the drive from Skardu, roughly 100 km to the west, is the main approach to the valley. The road journey is a long one, so it is sensible to plan the day around it and to check conditions before setting out.

Around Khaplu

Khaplu sits at around 2,600 m in a mountain valley, and the altitude shapes the seasons: summers are warm and winters cold. The valley is known for apricot and cherry orchards and for a cluster of historic buildings that date from the time of the Khaplu rajas. The old core has narrow lanes, stone houses and a small bazaar, and the old town is a compact area of stone and timber houses, many with carved wooden balconies.

Around Khaplu, irrigation channels feed terraces of apricot, apple and cherry trees. In spring the valley turns white and pink with blossom, and in autumn the leaves turn yellow. Life moves at a slow pace, and the town is a contrast to the busier centres of Gilgit and Skardu. Khaplu is quieter than Skardu and makes a good base for exploring the eastern valleys and the edge of the Karakoram.

North of town, the Thalle valley leads up towards the mountains and offers short walks. Within Khaplu, the old town and palace are close enough to walk, and a full day covers the palace, the old mosque and the bazaar.

Khaplu through the year

The best months for a stay in Khaplu are June, July and August, when summers are warm. May, September and October are good months, and March, April and November are possible. January, February and December are off season, when winter can be cold with snow. Spring and autumn are cooler, and in spring the valley turns white and pink with blossom while in autumn the leaves turn yellow.

Places to stay in Khaplu: what to expect

Hotels make up a fair number of the stays in Khaplu, mostly simple to mid-range, with a few upscale options. Car parking is listed by almost all of them, and many list free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, breakfast, a 24-hour front desk, room service, a shuttle service, a garden and air conditioning. Family rooms, heating and a kitchen are less common, and a swimming pool is listed by a few. This mix suits travellers who want a front desk and a restaurant on hand, and drivers will find parking easy to arrange.

Guest houses form a small group in Khaplu, a mix of simple, mid-range and unrated stays. Almost all list car parking, most list breakfast and family rooms, and many list heating, a 24-hour front desk, room service, a shuttle service and a garden. Some list free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, a kitchen, a swimming pool and air conditioning. The family rooms and breakfast make these a natural fit for families, while the parking and gardens suit those arriving by road.

Resorts and lodges are a small group in Khaplu, mostly simple to mid-range. Almost all list car parking and a 24-hour front desk, and most list breakfast and a shuttle service. Many list family rooms, room service, a garden and air conditioning, while some list free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, heating and a swimming pool. With parking and a front desk so widely listed, they work well for travellers who want a base for exploring the valley and for families needing room to spread out.

Staying in Khaplu: questions