Safari ground
Sarfaranga
Shigar district · 2,250 m
Sarfaranga is a cold desert on the Shigar river, where the annual jeep rally doubles as a festival of culture.
Sarfaranga is one of the world's highest cold deserts, a stretch of sand and stone with mountains behind it, on the Shigar river side of Skardu. The Sarfaranga Cold Desert Rally is held here every year, and the organisers pitch it as both an adventure sport and a celebration of cultural heritage and nature.
Kind Safari groundDistrict ShigarElevation 2,250 mPosition 35.313° N, 75.753° E
About Sarfaranga
The rally covers three kinds of terrain, sand, rocks and steep mountain, and drivers choose the line that suits their vehicle. The same setting hosts other events, including polo, the old game of kings, and Zak, a race on a lake using the traditional river craft of Baltistan, built from wooden sticks and inflated tubes.
Alongside the racing, stalls show the products and crafts of people from across Gilgit-Baltistan. The organisers describe it as a platform for local artisans and entrepreneurs as much as for drivers, so it is a great place to shop for the real thing and meet the makers.
A second festival belongs to the place: Mayfung, an old fire festival of Baltistan, is celebrated on 21 December, the winter solstice, with bonfires on the mountains, songs and dancing, to say goodbye to the longest night of the year. The guidebook notes the same festival is kept in Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and Ladakh.
Elsewhere in Shigar
Swipe along the district, from the valley floor to the summits.
Town or village · 2,300 m
Shigar
Shigar is the valley that leads to K2, and its 17th century fort is now a beautiful hotel.
- 3,048 m
Town or village
Askole
Askole, at 3,048 m, is the last village before the ice, and the friendly start of every Baltoro trek.
- 4,000 m
Glacier
Biafo Glacier
The Biafo is sixty seven kilometres of ice from Askole to Snow Lake, a true glacier journey on foot.
- 4,600 m
Base camp
Concordia
Concordia, at 4,600 m, puts four eight thousanders in view from a single camp on the ice.
Summit · 8,611 m
K2
K2 is 8,611 m high, the second highest mountain on earth and one of the great sights of the Karakoram.
- 7,821 m
Summit
Masherbrum
Masherbrum is 7,821 m, called K1 on the original Survey of India sheets, and it is the great view from Khaplu and Hushe.
- 5,585 m
Pass
Gondogoro La
Gondogoro La is a 5,585 m col, crossed at sunrise on fixed ropes, with four eight thousanders behind you.