The main rivers of Gilgit-Baltistan are the Indus, which crosses the whole region, and its tributaries the Gilgit, Hunza, Shyok, Shigar and Astore. Almost every road you drive here follows one of them. Once you know which river you are beside, the geography of the region makes sense: the Karakoram Highway follows the Hunza, the Skardu road follows the Indus, and the road to Khaplu follows the Shyok.
This guide walks through each river, where it meets the next and which trip it belongs to. Most of the river is glacier-fed, so levels and colour change with the season.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Main river | Indus |
| Tributaries | Gilgit, Hunza, Shyok, Shigar, Astore |
| Indus and Gilgit meet | Near Jaglot |
| Hunza joins the Gilgit | At Alam Bridge, near Gilgit |
| Shyok joins the Indus | Near Keris, in Baltistan |
| Jaglot to Skardu road | About 164 to 167 km |
The Indus
The Indus is the river that everything else drains into. It flows through Baltistan, past Skardu, then west through the Rondu gorge and on to meet the Gilgit River near Jaglot, where the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalaya ranges come together. Below that point it continues towards Chilas and the Kohistan stretch of the highway.
For visitors, the Indus is the river of the Skardu road. The Jaglot to Skardu road, some 164 to 167 km, runs along the Indus canyon and is paved; one source puts the whole Gilgit to Skardu drive at about 245 km, roughly five hours by car. It is a road of steep cliffs on one side and a wide brown river on the other. Our guide to Gilgit to Skardu distance and drive time covers the road in more detail.
The Gilgit River
The Gilgit River starts at Shandur Lake and runs about 240 km before joining the Indus near Jaglot and Bunji. It flows through the Ghizer valleys, past Gupis and Phander, and then through Gilgit itself. The road from Gilgit towards Phander and Shandur runs alongside it, and it is the river you cross and re-cross in the Ghizer valleys. See our guides to Gilgit to Phander and Gilgit to Shandur.
At Gilgit the river is joined by the Hunza River, its biggest tributary, which adds more than half of its annual flow. The meeting point is at Alam Bridge, and the Gilgit's average discharge roughly doubles there, from about 293 to 617 cubic metres per second.
The Hunza River
The Hunza River is the river of the Karakoram Highway. It is formed where streams from the Chapursan and Khunjerab valleys meet, and the highway follows the valley upstream to Khunjerab Pass. Every Hunza destination, including Karimabad, Passu and Sost, sits on or above it.
In January 2010 a landslide blocked the Hunza River at Attabad and created a lake about 30 km long. The lake still covers part of the old highway, and the highway now runs through a series of tunnels along its shore. You can read more in our pages on Attabad Lake and how it formed.
The Shyok River
The Shyok rises in the eastern Karakoram, runs about 550 km, and crosses from Ladakh into Gilgit-Baltistan. In Baltistan it passes Khaplu, where the Hushe River joins it, and then meets the Indus near the village of Keris.
For a traveller it is the river of the Khaplu road, which runs from Skardu along the Indus and then the Shyok. See our guide to Skardu to Khaplu. The Hushe valley, and the trek routes towards Masherbrum, drain into the Shyok.
The Shigar and Braldu
The Shigar River is the main tributary that joins the Indus in the Skardu valley. It is formed where the Braldu and the Basha meet, and the Braldu, about 78 km long, starts at the Baltoro Glacier. The road to Shigar and on to Askole follows it, and Askole is the last village before the Baltoro trekking routes. See Skardu to Askole.
The Astore River
The Astore River drains the Astore valley and joins the Indus near Jaglot. The Astore road climbs from the Indus valley, and many travellers use it as a way up to Deosai; see Astore to Deosai.
Can you raft or swim in these rivers?
These are cold, fast, silt-heavy glacier rivers, and not for swimming. Rafting is done on selected sections with trained operators; see our page on river rafting in Gilgit-Baltistan before you plan anything. Take particular care with children near river banks and at suspension bridges, and don't drink untreated river water.
Is the river road safe?
River roads are the roads most exposed to landslides, rockfall and flooding in the monsoon and after heavy rain. Ask your driver or hotel about the day's road before setting out, and keep a spare day in your plan.
On security, Gilgit-Baltistan is not on the UK government's list of areas it advises against, but that advice does warn against the Karakoram Highway between Mansehra and Chilas. Babusar (N15) avoids that stretch in summer. Overseas visitors should check their own government's advice, because it can affect travel insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the main river of Gilgit-Baltistan?
The Indus. It flows through Baltistan and past Skardu, and receives the Gilgit, Shyok, Shigar and Astore rivers before leaving the region.
Where do the Indus and Gilgit rivers meet?
Near Jaglot, on the Gilgit to Skardu road, at a point where the Hindu Kush, Karakoram and Himalaya meet. It is a viewpoint for travellers on the highway.
Which river does the Karakoram Highway follow in Hunza?
The Hunza River, from near Gilgit up to the Khunjerab Pass.
Which river flows through Skardu?
The Indus, joined in the Skardu valley by the Shigar River.
Where does the Shyok River join the Indus?
Near the village of Keris in Baltistan, after passing Khaplu.
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