The main waterfalls in Gilgit-Baltistan that you can reach without a trek are both in Kharmang district, east of Skardu on the road towards Kargil: Manthokha, a roadside fall you can see within minutes of parking, and Khamosh, further along and taller, reached by road plus a short walk. Both are usually visited as a day trip from Skardu, and both run fullest between May and September.
This guide covers the drive to each, what to expect, and when to go.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Manthokha | About 80 km, 2 to 3 hours from Skardu; short walk from the road |
| Khamosh | Further into Kharmang, about 3 hours from Skardu; a walk of roughly two hours from where the road ends |
| Best months | May to September |
| Route | Skardu-Kargil road through Kharmang, via Hussainabad, Thorgo and Parkutta |
Manthokha waterfall
Manthokha is a roughly 55-metre fall on the Skardu-Kargil road, about 80 km and two to three hours from Skardu by car. It is the easiest waterfall in the region to see, since the road brings you close and only a short walk is needed to reach the foot of the falls, where a trout restaurant does good business through the summer. May to September is the season for a full flow and open road; outside those months the drive and the water level are both less reliable. Our full guide to Manthokha waterfall covers the drive, the trout lunch and where to stay if you want a night out of Skardu.
Khamosh waterfall
Further along the same Kharmang road, Khamosh is a taller fall, one of the highest reported in the region, though the exact height is given differently from source to source, so treat any single figure with caution. Reaching it takes longer than Manthokha: the road drive from Skardu runs to around three hours, and from where the vehicle track ends there is a walk, reported at around two hours, through the valley to the waterfall itself. Because it needs more effort and more time, Khamosh sees far fewer visitors than Manthokha, and it suits travellers who already have a full day free rather than a quick stop en route to somewhere else.
Other falls in the region
Smaller falls and cascades appear along side streams throughout Gilgit-Baltistan, glimpsed from the road in Nagar and Ghizer during the summer melt, but most are seasonal, unnamed on maps, and not set up as a destination in their own right. Manthokha and Khamosh, both in Kharmang, are the two with an established road, a place to park and a reason to make the trip specifically.
Getting there without your own car
Shared jeeps and hired cars for the Kharmang road are easy to arrange in Skardu, either through your hotel or at the main taxi stands, and a driver who knows the road is worth the small extra cost given the unpaved stretches near Khamosh. If you are travelling with our Skardu and Deosai tour, ask in advance whether a waterfall detour can be added to a free day, since Kharmang sits off the standard Deosai route and needs its own time.
When to go
May to September is the reliable window for both falls: the road through Kharmang is clear, and the flow is at its strongest with snowmelt and, later, monsoon-fed streams higher up. Outside these months, expect a lower flow and a greater chance the road has rough patches from winter damage that have not yet been repaired.
Is the detour worth it?
Manthokha is worth building into any Skardu trip that has a spare half day, since the drive itself is scenic and the destination needs almost no walking. Khamosh is worth it only if you have a full day free and want something quieter than the standard Skardu sights; it is not a quick add-on. If your time in Skardu is short, spend it at Kachura or Shangrila instead and treat these waterfalls as a reason to come back. Our travel guide has more on fitting day trips like this into a Skardu itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Manthokha waterfall from Skardu?
About 80 km, roughly two to three hours by road through Kharmang district.
Is Khamosh waterfall harder to reach than Manthokha?
Yes. It is further along the same road, and reaching the waterfall itself needs a walk of around two hours from where vehicles stop, compared with a short stroll at Manthokha.
What is the best time to visit these waterfalls?
May to September, when the road through Kharmang is clear and the falls are running at their fullest from snowmelt.
Can I visit both waterfalls in one day from Skardu?
It is possible but long, since Khamosh alone needs a walk on top of the drive. Most visitors treat Manthokha as a half-day trip and Khamosh as a separate full day.
Is there food or a place to eat at these waterfalls?
Manthokha has a trout restaurant near the falls, popular with day visitors. Khamosh has no comparable setup, so carry your own food and water.
