Things To Do
in Chilas
Chilas is a busy town on the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan’s Diamer District and serves as a gateway to high mountain destinations such as Nanga Parbat and Astore Valley. The town sits beside the Indus River and is known for ancient rock carvings and petroglyphs that attest to millennia of trade along this corridor. Chilas is a practical stop for overland travelers, offering bazaars, guesthouses and transport links, while surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery.
Despite limited services compared with larger regional hubs, it provides authentic mountain-town life and access to excellent trekking and photography opportunities.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Begin your day with a hearty breakfast at your accommodation, energizing yourself for an adventure through history. Afterward, set out to explore the mesmerizing ancient rock carvings at the Shatial site, which date back thousands of years. As you walk among these remarkable petroglyphs, the crisp mountain air and stunning views of the Indus River will leave you in awe.
Enjoy a packed lunch by the riverside, where you can soak in the serene surroundings and perhaps spot some local wildlife. Spend the afternoon hiking along the trails that lead deeper into the mountains, offering breathtaking vistas and a chance to connect with nature. Capture the beauty of the landscapes with your camera as you make your way back to Chilas.
As the sun sets, return to your accommodation and unwind with a traditional Pakistani dinner. Join fellow travelers to share stories about the day's adventures over chai and local delicacies. End the evening with some stargazing, as the clear skies of Chilas offer a magnificent view of the constellations.
Start your day with a traditional breakfast featuring freshly baked naan and local yogurt, fueling you for an immersive cultural experience. Head out to visit nearby villages, where you can witness the daily lives of the locals and their traditional crafts. Engage with artisans as they showcase their skills in pottery and weaving, gaining insight into their rich heritage.
After lunch in a local home, participate in a cooking class where you learn to prepare authentic Balti cuisine. Experience the warmth of hospitality as village families welcome you into their homes, sharing stories and culinary secrets. The afternoon will be enriched with laughter and connection as you bond with your hosts over shared meals.
Return to Chilas and take a leisurely stroll through the town, enjoying the sights and sounds of daily life. As evening approaches, find a local eatery to savor the flavors of the region, perhaps trying some freshly caught fish from the Indus River. Reflect on your day’s experiences while sipping on sweet chai as the sun bids farewell to the mountains.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $3-6 |
| 🍽️Meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $12-25 |
| 🛏️Guesthouse/Basic hotel per night | $10-40 |
| 🚌Local bus or shared jeep ride (short distances) | $0.5-3 |
| 💧Bottled water (1.5 L) | $0.5-1.5 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Stunning mountain scenery and access to Nanga Parbat and Astore Valley.
- Authentic northern Pakistani culture and friendly local hospitality.
- Good base for trekking, photography and adventure travel.
- Local produce and unique dried fruits like apricots and trout available.
- Limited infrastructure and medical facilities; ATMs and card acceptance are scarce.
- Roads can be dangerous and travel plans often affected by landslides or weather.
- Few modern amenities or nightlife options compared with larger cities.
- Language barriers in very rural areas if you do not speak Urdu or local languages.
- "Assalam-o-Alaikum" - Peace be upon you (formal greeting)
- "Shukriya / Dhanyavaad" - Thank you
- "Meherbani — kitna hua?" - Please — how much is this?
- "Bohat accha" - Very good
- "Kya aap madad karenge?" - Can you help me?
Places to Visit in Chilas
Visit one of these nice places.
Ancient inscriptions and carvings on river-facing rocks near town — excellent for history-rich close-ups and landscape context shots.
Sweeping mountain-road vistas with dramatic cliffs, the Indus River and heavy transport; spectacular for road-and-mountain framing.
Riverside viewpoints for wide-angle landscapes, especially at sunrise and sunset when light sculpts the valley.
Gateway scenes of mountain culture, jeeps, and the start of treks toward Nanga Parbat — a great spot for action and adventure photography.
Candid street and portrait photography of bazaars, tea stalls, and local life — ask permission before photographing people.
Food in Chilas
Chilas Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Freshly caught river trout, usually pan-fried or grilled at local eateries and guesthouses — a regional specialty best enjoyed near the Indus.
Must-Try!
A simple, fragrant rice dish often cooked with local mutton; common in family-run restaurants and guesthouses.
A flat, stuffed meat-and-spice pie found in northern Pakistan; available at some roadside stalls and mountain cafés.
Locally produced dried fruits and apricot-based snacks sold in the bazaar — great for snacks on treks.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
The main market area where you'll find stalls selling dried fruits, nuts, tea shops, simple cooked meals, and roadside vendors selling tea, samosas and local snacks.
Small dhabas and tea stalls along the highway serve quick meals, chai and grilled meats — handy for travelers stopping between towns.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Wear modest clothing, covering shoulders and knees; women should consider a headscarf in conservative areas. Dressing modestly shows respect and reduces unwanted attention.
Observe prayer times and avoid eating in public during Ramadan in conservative communities. Remove shoes before entering homes and mosques.
Always request permission before taking portraits, particularly of women and religious sites.
Locals are hospitable; accepting tea or food if offered is polite. Decline gently if you cannot, but be appreciative.
Safety
Tipping in Chilas
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is modest: 5–10% in better restaurants if service is not included; small tips (PKR 100–300) for porters, guides and drivers are appreciated. Tea stall staff and hotel staff can be given small change.
Cash (Pakistani rupee) is the primary method. ATMs are limited or absent in Chilas — bring sufficient cash. Major cards rarely accepted outside larger hotels in Gilgit or Islamabad.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Snow melts and access improves; valleys bloom and temperatures rise. Early spring can still be chilly and some higher routes may remain snow-bound.
Best time for travel, trekking and highland meadows — generally mild days and cool nights. Be aware of sporadic rain and the possibility of landslides during heavy storms.
Clear skies and crisp air make this a great season for photography; nights become cold and some high passes begin to close later in autumn.
Very cold with heavy snowfall at higher elevations; roads can be blocked and services reduced — travel only if well-prepared and experienced in winter mountain conditions.
Northern Pakistan sees less intense monsoon than the south, but heavy rains can cause landslides and road closures — monitor local conditions.
Chilas at Night
Hiking in Chilas
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Iconic trek leading to meadows that offer close-up views of Nanga Parbat; accessible via jeep to Raikot Bridge plus uphill hike. Popular but requires planning and local arrangements.
Scenic alpine trails near Astore Valley ending at Rama Lake and nearby meadows — suitable for day hikes and multi-day treks.
Easier hikes along the Indus and adjacent slopes that offer quick viewpoints and village interactions for those not doing multi-day treks.
High-altitude routes toward Babusar Pass provide panoramic views and alpine hiking opportunities when the pass is open (usually summer).
Airports
How to reach Chilas by plane.
The closest regional airport serving Gilgit-Baltistan; flights from Islamabad are seasonal and subject to weather. Road travel from Gilgit to Chilas may take several hours on mountain roads, so plan accordingly.
Major international gateway to Pakistan with frequent connections; most visitors fly into Islamabad then travel by road (long overland journey) or via domestic flight to Gilgit before reaching Chilas.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
The predominant local ethnic group in Diamer/Chilas, speaking the Shina language and following local mountain cultural practices.
Merchant and transport communities from other parts of Pakistan who work along the Karakoram Highway and in trade.
A mix of Sunni and smaller Shia communities, with tribal and village structures guiding local social life.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
Pakistan’s most popular sport is widely played and watched in Chilas, with informal matches in fields and village grounds.
Highland regions of northern Pakistan have a polo tradition and seasonal local games and competitions; polo is more prominent in neighboring areas but culturally important.
High-altitude mountaineering, trekking and adventure sports are popular among visitors and some locals involved in guiding.
Trout fishing in the Indus and mountain streams is a common recreational activity.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Chilas.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are limited but possible: dal, vegetable pulao, flatbreads and salads. Inform hosts in advance and carry snacks (nuts, dried fruit) because restaurant variety is limited.
Vegan choices are sparse; ask for vegetable preparations and rice. Gluten-free travelers should be cautious with breads and sauces; bringing staples or specialty items is advisable.
Drink bottled or boiled water, avoid uncooked salads unless sure of the water source, and eat freshly cooked hot food from busy vendors.