Town or village
Shigar
Shigar district · 2,300 m
Shigar is the valley that leads to K2, and its 17th century fort is now a beautiful hotel.
The Shigar valley begins at the village of Gothang and runs north to the boundary of Xinjiang, which is where its settlers are said to have come from. It is a long, narrow valley, and at the far end are K2, the much photographed Trango Tower, and the Biafo and Baltoro glaciers. Shigar was once an independent and powerful kingdom, and its heritage shows everywhere.
Kind Town or villageDistrict ShigarElevation 2,300 mPosition 35.464° N, 75.683° E
About Shigar
The main attraction is the fort and palace, believed to have been built by Hassan Khan in 1640. It is made in a similar manner to the forts of Hunza, and the woodwork is proof of excellent Balti craftsmanship. The building stands on a stone foundation a storey high and was built in three parts over different periods. After renovation by the AKCSP it presents a unique and wholesome picture, and it now runs as a hotel under Serena.
Higher on the cliff above the palace are the ruins of the older fort, an hour's climb from the palace, with a fine view. Further south are the remains of the earliest residences of the Shagari family, the Apico Shakari Fort, which the guidebook describes as the oldest palace remains in the area.
The village has a Khanqah, the traditional worship and retreat building of the Noorbukshi Muslims. It is a five minute walk from the centre of the village, two storeys high and made entirely of wood, and still used by villagers. Khanqahs serve as mosque, school and retreat for the 40 day Chilla. Nearby is the archaeological site at Gzwapa, where four round platforms mark the stupas of a former Buddhist monastery.
Shigar rewards an unhurried stop. The fort and the Khanqahs are enough to fill a day, and a night in the Serena palace hotel is a treat.
Elsewhere in Shigar
Swipe along the district, from the valley floor to the summits.
- 2,250 m
Safari ground
Sarfaranga
Sarfaranga is a cold desert on the Shigar river, where the annual jeep rally doubles as a festival of culture.
- 3,048 m
Town or village
Askole
Askole, at 3,048 m, is the last village before the ice, and the friendly start of every Baltoro trek.
- 4,000 m
Glacier
Biafo Glacier
The Biafo is sixty seven kilometres of ice from Askole to Snow Lake, a true glacier journey on foot.
- 4,600 m
Base camp
Concordia
Concordia, at 4,600 m, puts four eight thousanders in view from a single camp on the ice.
Summit · 8,611 m
K2
K2 is 8,611 m high, the second highest mountain on earth and one of the great sights of the Karakoram.
- 7,821 m
Summit
Masherbrum
Masherbrum is 7,821 m, called K1 on the original Survey of India sheets, and it is the great view from Khaplu and Hushe.
- 5,585 m
Pass
Gondogoro La
Gondogoro La is a 5,585 m col, crossed at sunrise on fixed ropes, with four eight thousanders behind you.