Exciting trip to Skardu, Pakistan, for gemstone hunting.
Going on foot to a gemstone mine in Skardu's Haramosh Valley, Plus 16 hours of hiking
In the above video, you may watch and learn more about the following:
- A glimpse of an airier view flying from Islamabad to Skardu
- A hunting expedition to a gemstone mine in the Haramosh Valley and Rondu Valley in Skardu.
- Shilajit’s discovery and production in Skardu,
- Interact with gemstone miners
- Learn about Muhammad Ali Sadpara, a famous mountaineer from Skardu, a brave son of Pakistan
- Discover the history of Kharphocho Fort in Skardu
- Discover the 8th century AD Manthal Buddha Rock in Skardu
A glimpse of the airier view travel from Islamabad to Skardu airports
When you fly from the capital city of Pakistan, Islamabad, to the lovely Skardu area in the centre of the Karakoram mountain range, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the landscapes below. As you take off from Islamabad International Airport, you will be treated to a stunning aerial view of the magnificent Margalla Hills. The Punjabi plains will eventually give way to the rocky mountains to the north as the aircraft rises in height.
Afterwards, you’ll go through the magnificent Karakoram mountain range, home to some of the world’s tallest peaks.
The vista of the beautiful Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest peak in the world at 8,126 metres, is the trip’s high point (26,660 feet).
You can see the Indus River as it snakes through the mountains, creating vast canyons and valleys as you fly above it.
As the aircraft approaches Skardu, you will see the stunning Skardu Valley, ringed by soaring snow-capped peaks and sprinkled with crystal blue lakes.
The breathtaking vistas of the Shigar and Khaplu valleys and the beautiful Deosai Plains will take your breath away. Skardu Airport is the ideal starting place for your experiences in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, including hiking, climbing, and discovering the area’s rich cultural legacy. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a pleasant small-town atmosphere and friendly residents.
Gemstone Hunting expedition to the Rondu Valley and the Haramosh Valley in Skardu
In Skardu, the valleys of Haramosh and Rondu are renowned for their breathtaking scenery, distinctive geological formations, and mining gemstones.
Travelling to these locations may be exciting and instructive, allowing visitors to see natural beauty and learn more about the regional mining sector. I suggest using the services of a guide for a gemstone mine research trip since hunting is not a suitable pastime for this sort of trip.
- Planning and Permits: Before leaving on your journey to explore a gemstone mine, you need the company of local miners. Because mining is permitted only to the locals, yes, you can because their partner in this business and make you your partner with all the appropriate licenses and approvals from the relevant local authorities. (or community system).
- Ensure you have dressed appropriately and have the necessary tools and gear, such as solid shoes, a helmet, and a light.
- Employ a Local Guide: It is very advised to work with a qualified local guide familiar with the region’s history, geology, and mining techniques. They will also watch out for your safety and assist you with terrain navigation.
4. Haramosh Valley: The topaz, aquamarine, tourmaline, and quartz-rich deposits in the Haramosh Valley are among the world’s richest sources of precious stones.
5. Visit some nearby mines to start your exploration and learn about the extraction, cutting, and polishing steps involved in mining.
6. Rondu Valley: Visit the Rondu Valley, another area renowned for its gemstone resources, after seeing the Haramosh Valley.
You may go to these mines to see where aquamarine, topaz, tourmaline and other valuable stones are discovered. Learn about the many methods used to harvest these priceless jewels and the geological circumstances that resulted in their genesis.
Responsible Exploration: Remember to practice careful travel when exploring these stunning valleys and their mines. Do not trash, keep the environment undisturbed, and respect regional traditions and customs. Moreover, use caution while buying gemstones since some questionable business activities may exist. The local peoples are very trustable, but careful price negotiation is important as per the practice of this business worldwide. Ensure you purchase from reliable merchants and abide by any rules on exporting gemstones.
Other Activities: When you’re in the Skardu area, take some time to see other points of interest, including the Deosai Plains, Satpara Lake, Shigar Fort, and the lovely Khaplu Valley.
These locations provide chances for hiking, sightseeing, and getting lost in the area’s fascinating culture and history.
Mining of Gemstones in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the most important suppliers of precious and semi-precious stones worldwide because of the wide variety of minerals and gemstones. Many gemstone resources may be found in Pakistan’s northern and northwest, notably in Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
- Emerald: Pakistani emeralds are famous for their deep green colour and excellent clarity and are predominantly mined in the Swat Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Ruby: Deposits of Ruby may be found in the Azad Kashmir area, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Hunza Valley. Pakistani rubies come in various hues, from deep red to pinkish-red.
- Aquamarine: In Gilgit-Baltistan, the Shigar, Haramosh, and Rondu Valleys are home to aquamarine mining. These gemstones are renowned for their exquisite blue hue and superb clarity.
- Topaz: Topaz may be found in several places in Pakistan, notably the Skardu Valley in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Katlang district of Mardan. Golden, pink, and blue are just a few of the hues in which Pakistani topaz may be found.
- Peridot: Some of the highest grade Peridot resources may be found in the Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Supat area of Kohistan. Peridot from Pakistan is renowned for its vivid green colour and remarkable clarity.
- Tourmaline. In Gilgit-Baltistan, tourmaline deposits may be found in various hues, including green, pink, and black. The Rondu “Stak Nala” Balck Tourmaline with Green or Blue or Yellow cap Tourmaline crystals are world famous
- Lapis Lazuli: is originally mined in Afghanistan, and Pakistan’s famous city Peshawar is the main hub of Lapis Lazuli trading. Here, big size Lapis Lazuli Tumbled stones making, as well as Lapis beads, are made from hand, skilled labour creating top quality staff
- Quartz: The northern parts of Pakistan are home to a variety of quartz species, including rock crystal, rose quartz, smoky quartz, Faden quartz, and petroleum Quartz from Baluchistan province
Despite the wealth of gemstone resources, Pakistan’s gemstone sector confronts obstacles, such as a need for up-to-date infrastructure and mining technologies, investment, and cutting and polishing skills. Unskilled and illicit mining are still major issues that result in losing vital resources and money. To realise the full potential of Pakistan’s gemstone business, the public and commercial sectors must invest in cutting-edge mining methods, provide education and training programmes, and create a strong legislative framework to oversee the industry efficiently. This might promote economic development in Pakistan and assist in generating more income and employment.
Discovery and creation of Shilajit In Skardu:
Shilajit is a naturally occurring chemical mostly found in the Himalayan mountain range, particularly the Skardu region in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. It is an oozing fluid that is viscous, blackish-brown and resembles tar.
Shilajit has been utilised for millennia and is highly regarded in traditional medical systems like Ayurveda and Unani due to its many health advantages. Shilajit’s creation is a lengthy, difficult process that takes millions of years. It is thought to be the consequence of plant debris rotting under intense heat and pressure while confined between layers of rocks. These plant components progressively undergo humification over time, becoming a viscous, mineral-rich fluid that seeps out of the rocks.
There are various procedures involved in gathering and preparing Shilajit for consumption:
- Gathering: Local collectors meticulously pick the raw Shilajit that seeps from the rocks during the warmer months in the mountainous locations, in including around Skardu’s “Himalayan high altitude mountain range”. By The Way, this work may be difficult and risky due to the frequent use of harsh terrain and the need to scale high cliffs.
- Purification: To remove any impurities like dirt, rock fragments, or other pollutants, the collected Shilajit is cleaned and purified. Typically, this procedure is blending the raw Shilajit with water before filtering it through a fine mesh or cloth.
- Concentration: A thick, concentrated paste is produced by gently heating the filtered Shilajit solution to evaporate the water content. To prevent overheating, which might harm the beneficial chemicals in Shilajit, the temperature must be properly regulated.
- Drying: The concentrated Shilajit paste is spread out and left to dry in the sunlight or in a controlled atmosphere. It is prepared for eating after it reaches the required consistency.
- Packaging: To maintain the finished product’s potency and freshness, it is often packed in airtight containers like glass jars or plastic containers.
Shilajit provides various health advantages, such as increased vitality, boosted immunity, improved cognitive function, and improved overall well-being. It is a well-liked supplement for preserving health and vigour since it is a good source of minerals, vitamins, and other necessary components. Nevertheless, because the quality of Shilajit may vary greatly, it is crucial to ensure that the Shilajit you take is pure and comes from a reliable source.
Muhammad Ali Sadrapa (the great mountaineer from Skardu)
Muhammad Ali Sadpara, a well-known Pakistani climber born in 1976, hails from the Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, town of Sadpara. He was well known for his amazing climbing accomplishments, which included ascending eight of the fourteen highest peaks in the world (more than 8,000 metres) without requiring additional oxygen. Early on, Sadpara worked as a porter in the hilly terrain of northern Pakistan before discovering his enthusiasm for climbing. He finally switched to high-altitude climbing and developed a reputation for outstanding abilities, stamina, and resolve.
His most noteworthy accomplishments include the following:
- K2 (8,611 metres): In 2018, Sadpara and his son Sajid Sadpara became the first Pakistanis to reach the top of K2 (the second-highest mountain in the world) without using oxygen.
- Nanga Parbat (8,126 metres): In 2016, Sadpara, Alex Txikon, and Simone Moro made history by being the first climbers to summit the ninth-highest peak in the world during the winter.
- Broad Peak (8,051 metres): In 2017, Sadpara summited Broad Peak without extra oxygen.
- Sadpara conquered Gasherbrum I (8,080 metres), Gasherbrum II (8,035 metres), and Lhotse (8,516 metres) in 2019, further confirming his status as one of the best mountaineers in the world.
Sadly, on February 5, 2021, mountaineers Juan Pablo Mohr from Chile, John Snorri Sigurjónsson from Iceland, and Muhammad Ali Sadpara from Pakistan were lost while climbing K2 in the winter. The climbers went missing despite intensive search and rescue operations, and on February 18, 2021, their deaths were formally announced. A new generation of Pakistani mountaineers has been motivated by Muhammad Ali Sadpara’s feats and steadfast perseverance. His legacy will endure as a reminder of how the human spirit can overcome even the most difficult obstacles.
Fort Kharphocho located in Skardu
The historic castle known as Kharphocho Fort, often called Skardu Fort, is situated in Skardu, the administrative centre of the Skardu District in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. At around 2,500 metres (8,200 feet), the fort has a stunning view of the Skardu Valley and the Indus River. It was an essential defence fortification in the area because of its advantageous placement.
The Maqpon dynasty, who reigned over the Baltistan area, is said to have erected the Kharphocho Fort in the 16th century under the direction of Ali Sher Khan Anchan. Other historians believe the fort’s earliest records go far back, probably to the eighth century. The fort, which has endured several fights and sieges, was traditionally a crucial component of Skardu’s defensive system.
It was often invaded and rebuilt, especially by the Dogras who governed the area in the nineteenth century.
During the First Sikh War in 1840, the Sikh leader Zorawar Singh seized control of the fort; subsequently, in 1857, the British took possession of it.
While mostly in ruins now, Kharphocho Fort is nevertheless a well-liked tourist destination because of its historical importance and breathtaking panoramic views of the Skardu Valley, the Indus River, and the surrounding mountains.
The relatively difficult but rewarding ascent to the fort allows tourists to examine the ruins of the fort’s walls, towers, and dwelling quarters while taking in the stunning view. You may climb from the Skardu Bazar to Kharphocho Fort in 30 to 1 hour. It’s crucial to wear suitable footwear and bring a drink since the route is well-marked and steep in certain places.
Visiting the fort during daylight is advisable since it might be difficult to walk the route at night.
Manthal Buddha Rock, Located in Skardu
Manthal Buddha Rock is a magnificent archaeological monument that displays a sizable granite rock with an old sculpture of a sitting Buddha. It is situated in the Manthal village of Skardu in the Gilgit-Baltistan area of Pakistan. The rock is conveniently located in the Skardu town centre, around 3 kilometres (1.9 miles) away.
The sculpture was created around the 8 Century CE when Buddhism predominated in the area. A sitting Buddha is shown in the elaborate carving in the meditation position, flanked by lesser figures and old Sogdian inscriptions. The carving’s design reflects the Gandhara school of painting, which was prominent in the area throughout the first centuries of the Common Era.
A significant reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the Skardu area and its ties to the historical Silk Road trading route is provided by Manthal Buddha Rock.
Both visitors and academics drawn to the region’s Buddhist tradition have found the place interesting. The sculpture has seen some wear and tear over time due to both natural weathering and human activity. The regional authorities and groups have recently undertaken efforts to conserve and safeguard this historic property.
Visitors are urged to respect the location and refrain from doing any acts that might hasten the further degradation of the historical sculpture.
Exploring other local sights while you’re in Skardu is worthwhile, such as Kharphocho Fort, Shigar Fort, Satpara Lake, and Deosai National Park since they each provide interesting vantage points into the area’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
