Postcard from Khaplu Village and Valley - a green, pink and turquoise walk

KhapluKhaplu VillageKhaplu ValleyGilgit-BaltistanPakistantravelphotography

Aug 17

Khaplu is famous for its beautiful scenery and for being the gateway to trekking and mountaineering. It is also known for Khaplu Fort (see my separate blog on the Fort) and for Chaqchan Mosque. We wanted to understand the area better so we took a walk around Khaplu Village and then walked up the mountain behind the Fort to get a better view of Khaplu Valley.

The village was busy with women washing clothes and children running along the dusty paths hitting metal hoops to see how far they would roll. Men were sitting in front of their shops chatting with each other.

As we walked past local houses we saw what looked like a noughts and crosses game written on the walls or doors but instead of the usual noughts and crosses the grid was filled with a jumble of letters and numbers. I asked what it meant and was told it was a way of keeping track of immunisation and census records for that house. Written records, including a vaccination card for each child, are kept but the wall markings make sure no child is left out of a vaccination drive.

We were hoping to see inside Chaqchan Mosque. However, a sign outside stated ‘no admission for non-Muslims’. I was disappointed as I had read a lot about the Mosque that was built in 1370 and is one of the oldest in the region. Chaqchan means ‘Miraculous Mosque’ maybe one day we can return to see why.

We kept walking along a track that starts at the polo field and climbs up the mountain. The walk is steep but wonderful as you get amazing views of the village and the valley. At the top we kept walking along the main road until we reached rocky orchards and fields, all surrounded by mountains. We stopped and sat on a stone wall and enjoyed a well-earned rest. As we looked over green fields, pink blossoms, snow-capped mountains, and a turquoise blue farmhouse it was easy to agree that Khaplu is a beautiful place to visit.