Saling is a village about 20 minutes from Khaplu by road, on the far side of the Shyok river, where a trout farm and a small resort sit beside a cluster of stocked lakes. It is the first stop on the road up the Hushe valley, and for many visitors it is an easy half-day out on its own: fresh trout, a walk around the water, and a look at the orchards before the road narrows further up towards Machulu and Hushe.
This guide covers what is at Saling, camping there, and how it fits into a Khaplu trip.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Across the Shyok from Khaplu, at the mouth of the Hushe valley |
| From Khaplu | About 20 minutes by road |
| From Skardu | Around 3 hours, via Khaplu |
| What's there | A trout farm, small lakes, orchards and a resort |
| Best for | A relaxed half-day, camping, and the start of the Hushe road |
| Best months | April for blossom, June to September for camping |
| Vehicle | A normal car manages the road to Saling |
Where is Saling?
Saling sits at the mouth of the Hushe valley, where the Hushe river meets the Shyok, a short drive from Khaplu over the Saling bridge. It is described locally as the gateway to the Hushe valley, the point where the paved road from Khaplu gives way to the narrower track that climbs on through Machulu and Kande to Hushe village. A normal car can reach Saling without difficulty; you only need a jeep beyond it.
The valley floor here is green with apricot and other fruit orchards, wheat fields and irrigation channels, in contrast to the bare rock and sand of the Shyok valley the road has just come through.
The trout farm and lakes
Saling's best-known attraction is a trout farm built around a small group of stocked lakes, with a resort and restaurant on site. Visitors can walk around the water, try fishing, and eat freshly caught trout cooked at the restaurant alongside other Baltistan and Pakistani dishes. A hot spring near the farm is also used by some visitors for bathing.
It works well as:
- A lunch stop on the way to or from Khaplu or the Hushe valley.
- A relaxed half-day, walking the paths around the lakes and eating by the water.
- A picnic spot for families who don't want the long jeep ride further up the valley.
Camping at Saling
The lakeside setting and the resort's grounds make Saling one of the more comfortable places to camp in Ghanche district, without the rough track and cold nights of Hushe or the higher side valleys. Facilities are basic by city standards, so bring your own tent and sleeping gear unless you have arranged otherwise with the resort in advance, and check current rates and availability before you go, since these change.
June to September is the easiest season for camping, with mild days and cool nights. April brings the apricot blossom to the orchards around the village, which is its own reason to visit, though camping is colder at that time of year.
Getting to Saling
Saling is reached the same way as Khaplu: about three hours by road from Skardu, along the Indus and then the Shyok, followed by a short drive over the Saling bridge. Our Skardu to Khaplu guide covers that route and its stops in detail.
From Khaplu itself, it is about 20 minutes by car, easily combined with a morning at Khaplu Palace or the Chaqchan Mosque. Local taxis, vans and motorcycles run between Khaplu bazaar and Saling for anyone without their own car.
Is Saling worth a visit?
Yes, for a relaxed half-day or a stop on the way up the Hushe valley. It is one of the easiest outings from Khaplu, needs no jeep, and gives you fresh trout and quiet lakeside walking rather than a long day in the car.
It is not a destination on its own worth a special trip from Skardu. Pair it with Khaplu town, or use it as the first stop on a day up to Machulu and Hushe. Our guide to places to visit in Khaplu sets out how Saling fits alongside the palace, the mosque and the villages further up the valley.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Saling from Khaplu?
About 20 minutes by road, across the Shyok river on the Saling bridge.
What is there to do at Saling?
A trout farm and small stocked lakes with a resort and restaurant, walking paths around the water, and orchards nearby. It is also the start of the jeep road up the Hushe valley.
Can you camp at Saling?
Yes. The lakeside setting is one of the more comfortable places to camp near Khaplu, though facilities are basic. Check current rates and availability with the resort before you go.
Do you need a jeep to reach Saling?
No. A normal car can manage the road from Khaplu to Saling. A jeep is only needed beyond it, on the narrower track up to Machulu and Hushe.
Can you eat trout at Saling?
Yes. The farm's restaurant serves freshly caught trout alongside other Baltistan and Pakistani dishes.
