Tormik Valley is a side valley off the Gilgit-Skardu road in Roundu district, known locally for Broq, its high summer pastures where villages from across the area gather to play polo. It's the second-largest valley in Roundu by both population and area, and a genuine detour rather than a quick stop, so it suits visitors with a spare day and an interest in going somewhere well off the standard Skardu route.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Roundu district, between the Basho and Stak valleys |
| Access | Jeep track off the Gilgit-Skardu road |
| Known for | Broq high pastures, summer polo |
| Activities | Walking, camping, watching or joining a polo gathering |
| Best season | Summer, when the pastures are in use |
Where Tormik Valley is
Tormik sits in Roundu district, between the Basho Valley to its east and the larger Stak Valley to its west, fed by streams rising near Stak-la. It's the second-largest valley in the Roundu subdivision after Stak, both in population and area, though it remains a quiet, largely agricultural place rather than anywhere set up for tourism.
For where Roundu itself sits on the Gilgit-Skardu road, and what else is along that route, see our Roundu Valley guide.
Getting there
Tormik is reached by a jeep track branching off the main Gilgit-Skardu road, and it's a proper side trip rather than something to add on casually to a day already built around driving between the two cities. A local driver or guide familiar with the district is the easiest way to arrange it, since the valley isn't geared toward independent tourism and route conditions vary through the year.
Broq: the high pastures
The valley's high ground is known locally as Broq, green pasture land where livestock is grazed through the summer months. It's the heart of Tormik's appeal to visitors: open fields, streams, forest and a working pastoral landscape rather than a manicured viewpoint.
Broq is also where Tormik's polo tradition plays out. In summer, people from villages across Roundu come together here to play, and it's treated as a genuine community gathering rather than a show for outsiders. If your visit happens to line up with one of these matches, it's a far better way to understand Baltistan's polo culture than watching a more formal fixture elsewhere. Our Balti culture guide has more on the wider tradition.
Camping
Tormik's pastures make for straightforward summer camping, with plenty of flat, green ground and running water. There's no organised campsite or hire equipment on site, so this is a bring-your-own-gear trip, ideally arranged with a local guide who knows the valley and can advise on where to pitch.
Best time to visit
Summer is the only realistic season for a visit. The pastures are in use, the jeep track is at its most passable, and any chance of seeing polo at Broq depends entirely on being there while the herding and grazing season is under way. Outside summer, the valley is far less accessible and there's little reason to attempt the trip.
What to carry
There's nothing to buy once you leave the main road, so bring everything you need for the day, including water, food and warm layers, since evenings on the pasture ground turn cold quickly even in summer. If you're camping, that extends to a stove and all your own cooking supplies, as there are no shops or hire points in the valley itself. Mobile signal is unreliable to absent once you're off the main Gilgit-Skardu road, so let someone know your plans before heading in.
Is it worth the trip?
Tormik suits visitors who want to get well away from the standard Skardu sightseeing and don't mind arranging a jeep and a local guide to do it. It's not a place to turn up at without local knowledge, and it won't suit anyone short on time. If that's you, the Stak Valley or other stops along the main Roundu road are easier ways to see the district without the detour.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Tormik Valley?
By jeep track off the Gilgit-Skardu road, in Roundu district. A local driver or guide is the practical way to arrange it, since the route isn't set up for independent tourism.
What is Broq in Tormik Valley?
Broq is the valley's high summer pasture land, used for grazing livestock and as a traditional gathering point for polo matches between villages across Roundu.
Can you camp in Tormik Valley?
Yes, on the open pasture ground, though there's no organised campsite or equipment hire. Bring your own gear and ideally arrange the trip with a local guide.
When is the best time to visit Tormik Valley?
Summer, when the pastures are green, the jeep track is at its most passable, and there's a chance of seeing a polo match at Broq.
