Visit Chilas and surroundings
Starting point for Nanga Parbat
Dusty town of Chilas (1 000 m asl), situated directly on the Karakorum Highway is worth stopping especially for those who are planning a trek in the massif of Nanga Parbat and surrounding valleys. It is particularly useful as a basis for Diamir Trek leading directly to BC Nanga Parbat. Although the town looks like a high-lying thanks to the surrounding arid mountains, but the Indus Valley is here very deep, so do not definitely expect to get acclimatized here. If you have some time before trek starts, head out to explore the Indus Valley and the surrounding oasis with a view of Nanga Parbat on the other side of the river or stroll through the terraced fields into the center of this town.
Chilas
Chilas is a typical big town on the Karakorum Highway, so the trucks are standing around, there's a petrol station, occasionally a shop or small workshop. Nothing extra. The largest building is fairly friendly hotel. A lot of children are wandering around and because the whole neighborhood of Chilas is very orthodox (even considering Pakistani conditions), you will practically not meet a woman on the street.
Oasis of Chilas
You'll find out during the walk that the main road is only a small part of the town. The center is nearly 250 altitude meters higher behind the immense series of terraced fields and orchards. Mountain ridges towering like a wall across the river are only about three thousand meters above sea level.
View of Indus
If you want to make a nice trip from Chilas, then drive for approximately 14 km back along KKH (direction Islamabad) to the large suspension bridge over Indus. Also during the way itself you can enjoy the views of the river, for example from the memorial of the road builders.
The descent to the bridge
Already during the descent to the bridge you can enjoy the beautiful panorama of the river with Nanga Parbat on the horizon.
Nanga Parbat
On the horizon you can enjoy the tip of the eighth highest mountain in the world – Nanga Parbat (8 126 m asl).
Oasis near Indus
The reason for more than 200 meters long bridge is an oasis fed by water from more than 25 kilometer long valley.
The bridge over Indus
The destination of the short trip from Chilas is this nice suspension bridge and its surroundings.
Beach
Although you may be tempted to swim in the river because of this nice sandy beach on the banks of Indus, but already at the beginning there is very swift current and deep water, so do not try it.
Mighty Indus
If you have not arranged the transport back to Chilas, then awaits you hitchhiking or walking these 14 km back. But the views of river surroundings are still very nice.
Spectacular oasis
If you go at least a short way on foot, a gorgeous view of the oasis opens.
Trucks on KKH
There is almost no traffic on the road, only a decorated truck passes around occasionally.
