Rama Lake and Astore Valley

The Astore valley runs south from the Indus into the mountains, a long green corridor of terraced fields, walnut and apricot trees and stone villages, and it is the eastern approach to Nanga Parbat. Above the town of Astore, a jeep road climbs to Rama, a meadow at around three thousand metres ringed by pine and birch forest, with a rest house and camping ground. From there a short walk leads to Rama Lake, a small glacial pool that reflects the Chongra peaks and, from the right angles, the eastern flanks of Nanga Parbat itself. Beyond the lake, trails climb towards the glacier and the high pastures. The valley is quieter than Hunza or Skardu, with fewer facilities and a slower pace, and the road onward from Astore leads to Deosai, the high plateau that connects to Skardu.

What you actually see

• Rama Lake - a small glacial pool below the peaks.
• Rama meadow - pine and birch forest with camping and a rest house.
• The Astore valley - terraced fields and stone villages along the river.
• Nanga Parbat's eastern flank - the massif seen from the high ground.

When to go

May to September; snow closes the higher road for much of the year and the Deosai crossing opens only in summer. July and August are the reliable months. Nights at Rama are cold even in midsummer.

Honest expectations

The lake is small and can disappoint anyone expecting a great sheet of water. The jeep road up is rough and requires a hired vehicle. Facilities at Rama are minimal, with a basic rest house and camping. The valley has limited services and mobile coverage is patchy.

Nearby

Deosai National Park lies east over the pass; the Karakoram Highway runs north.