Roundu is the district the Gilgit-Skardu road runs through for much of its length, a stretch of Indus gorge and side valleys that most travellers drive past on the way to Skardu without stopping. It's worth knowing what's actually there, since a few of its villages and valleys are genuinely worth a break in the journey rather than just scenery through the window.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Between Gilgit and Skardu, along the Indus |
| District headquarters | Thowar, about 65 to 70 km from Skardu |
| Population | Around 39,000 (2023) |
| Main languages | Balti and Shina |
| Notable side valleys | Stak, Tormik, Basho |
Where Roundu is and what it covers
Roundu, sometimes written Rondu, became its own district in 2019, carved out of Skardu District, and it covers the western part of Baltistan along the Indus, the natural corridor between Gilgit and Baltistan. The district headquarters is at Thowar, on the Indus a little under 70 km from Skardu.
Roundu's population is a mix of Balti and Shina speakers, roughly 70:30, with plenty of people bilingual between the two, reflecting its position as a border zone between Baltistan and the Shina-speaking areas further toward Gilgit. For the drive time and distance between the two cities, our Gilgit to Skardu distance guide has the detail; this guide is about what's actually along that road.
The Indus gorge
The road's defining feature through Roundu is the Indus gorge itself: high rock walls, a fast, silt-grey river below, and a road cut into the cliffside in long, twisting stretches. It's some of the most dramatic road scenery on the whole Gilgit-Skardu route, and photographs rarely do the scale of it justice. Drivers should treat this stretch with the same caution as the rest of the Skardu road: narrow in places, with a serious drop below, and not a section to rush.
Villages and stops along the way
- Shengus, about 53 km from Skardu, is one of the settlements strung along the road and a reasonable point to break the journey.
- Thowar, the district headquarters, sits roughly 65 to 70 km from Skardu and gives a sense of everyday life in Roundu away from the tourist route.
- Stak Valley, the largest valley in Roundu by both area and population, branches off the main road and is a longer detour rather than a quick stop.
- Basho Valley, further along, is another side valley worth knowing about if you have time to spare, though it needs its own dedicated trip rather than a stop on the main drive.
Tormik Valley
Tormik, Roundu's second-largest valley, is known locally for its high pastures, called Broq, where people from across the district gather for polo in summer. It's a proper detour rather than a roadside stop, and our Tormik Valley guide covers access and what to expect.
Culture and language
Roundu sits on the linguistic border of Baltistan, with Balti spoken through most of it and Shina taking over closer to Gilgit; plenty of residents speak both. The district is predominantly Shia Muslim, and daily life here still runs on farming and herding, much as it does elsewhere in rural Baltistan. Our Balti culture guide covers the wider traditions found here and further into Skardu.
What to carry through Roundu
Fuel stations are limited along this stretch, so fill up in Gilgit or Skardu rather than counting on finding one along the road. Mobile signal drops in and out through the gorge, and there's little in the way of formal rest stops, so carry water and snacks if you're planning to stop and take in the scenery rather than pushing straight through.
Should you stop in Roundu?
If you're driving your own car or have a flexible driver, a short stop in Roundu breaks up what is otherwise a long day on the road between Gilgit and Skardu, and the gorge itself is worth pulling over for at a safe spot. If you're on a tighter schedule, or the road conditions on the day call for steady progress rather than stops, it's entirely reasonable to treat Roundu as scenery on the way through and save the side valleys for a dedicated trip another time.
Our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour and plan a trip page can help you work out where a stop like this fits into a wider itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Roundu Valley?
Roundu is a district in Gilgit-Baltistan along the Indus River, between Gilgit and Skardu, and the Gilgit-Skardu road runs through it for much of its length.
Is the road through Roundu safe to drive?
It's a scenic but narrow mountain road with sections cut into the Indus gorge. Drive it carefully, at a steady pace, and check current road conditions before setting out.
What is there to see in Roundu?
The Indus gorge itself, villages such as Shengus and Thowar, and side valleys including Stak, Tormik and Basho, each needing its own detour off the main road.
How far is Roundu from Skardu?
Thowar, the district headquarters, is roughly 65 to 70 km from Skardu. Other villages along the road are closer.
