The Astore vally is located at 35° 2′20.30″N , 75° 6′36.91″E and has an area of 5,092 km² and an altitude of 2600m.

Astore is connected to Gilgit which is well connected by air with Islamabad(weather dependent) and by road with Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Skardu and Chitral. You can take a flight to Gilgit from the capital of the country and drive to Astore from Gilgit on metalled road.

Astore valley has a moderate climate during summer. In winter it can snow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in the main valleys and up to 2–3 feet (60–90 cm) in the mountains. In Mirmalik valley it snows up to 6 feet (1.8 m) in February.

Astore lies about the massive base of Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest peak in the world. To the south of the Nanga Parbat massif lies Rama Valley, which is home to Rama Lake, with basic facilities for visitors. It has a hotel called the PTDC, constructed by the government of Pakistan. Astore valley is a unique area for tourists to visit, surrounded by the high peaks of the far western Himalaya. Nearby the two river junction the village Louze, papular for apples,aprikot, cherry and other fruits especially the wild almond oil. Louze a small village with litresy rate of about 95%, the only biggest power house for electricity supply up to 1000 kW to whole district approx since 1987, nearby Louse a peaks include Nanga Parbat, Shaigiri, Rupal Peak, Chongra Peak and Laila Peak (Rupal Valley). Astore Valley ascends from the Indus River Valley near Jaglot, Pakistan. Deosai plains are the highest plateau in himalayas and are most picturesque with a bowl shapped lake ,wild flowers,and a habitat of brown bear.The easiest route from Astore is via,Gorikot,Gudai,Chilum and then a track leads to this area with little steep hike.Its been declared a Natural park ,a special status to preserve its fora and fauna.

Ghizer is a distorted form of the name Gherz means (In Khowar or Chitrali) the Refugees. Whenever the Mehtars of Chitral did unjust with their people in Chitral and forced them to migrate towards Gupis. They were settled in the area between Chitral and Gupis and the area called Gherz and the people were called Gherzic. When Zulafiqar Ali Bhutto the President of Pakistan abolished the FCR and Rajgi system and made another administrative district comprising the Tehsils (Political districts) the name Ghizer was agreed and unanimously.

District Ghizer is Northmost part of the Northern Areas and hence the extreme north of the country. It joins with Wakhan strip on its north-west, and China on its northern borders. On its west, there is Chitral District of NWFP; and on its east is situated Gilgit. Diamer District is on its south, which is again a part of the Northern areas. Gakuch is the capital of the Ghizer District.

The highest peak in Ghizer District is Koyo Zum (6,871 m) (Hindu Kush Range) which lies on the boundary of Ghizer District and Chitral.

Some of the main places in the district are Ishkoman and Yasin valleys. Other places include Gupis, Chatorkhand, Imit and Utz.

Passes
Some of the passes in the district are:

Karumbar Pass, Chillingi Pass.
Hayal Pass and Naltar Pass (on the boundary of Ghizer and Gilgit Districts).
Bichhar Pass (on the boundary of Ghizer and Gilgit Districts).
Thoi Pass (on the boundary of Ghizer and Chitral Yarkhon).
Darkut Pass (on the boundary of Ghizer and Chitral).

Rivers
The main river in the district is Ghizer River, which is known as Gilgit River in the east of Gupis town. Some of its tributaries include Karambar River, Ishkoman River, Phakora River, Hayal River and Yasin River.

Northern Areas Pakistan

There is some controversy over what defines the ethnic characteristics of the Kalash. Although quite numerous before the 20th century, the non-Muslim minority has seen its numbers dwindle over the past century. A leader of the Kalash, Saifulla Jan, has stated, “If any Kalash converts to Islam, they can’t live among us anymore. We keep our identity strong.” About three thousand have converted to Islam or are descendants of converts, yet still live nearby in the Kalash villages and maintain their language and many aspects of their ancient culture. By now, sheikhs, or converts to Islam, make up more than half of the total Kalasha-speaking population.

Located in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, the Kalash people live in three isolated mountain valleys: Bumboret (Kalash: Mumret), Rumbur (Rukmu), and Birir (Biriu). These valleys are opening towards the Kunar River, some 20 km south (downstream) of Chitral,

The Bumboret and Rumbur valleys join at 35°44′20″N 71°43′40″E / 35.73889°N 71.72778°E / 35.73889; 71.72778 (1640 m), joining the Kunar at the village of Ayrun (35°42′52″N 71°46′40″E / 35.71444°N 71.77778°E / 35.71444; 71.77778, 1400 m) and they each rise to passes connecting to Afghanistan’s Nuristan Province at about 4500 m.

The Birir valley opens towards the Kunar at the village of Gabhirat (35°40′8″N 71°45′15″E / 35.66889°N 71.75417°E / 35.66889; 71.75417, 1360 m). A pass connects the Birir and Bumboret valleys at about 3000 m. The Kalash villages in all three valleys are located at a height of approximately 1900 to 2200 m.

The region is extremely fertile, covering the mountainside in rich oak forests and allowing for intensive agriculture, despite the fact that most of the work is done not by machinery, but by hand. The powerful and dangerous rivers that flow through the valleys have been harnessed to power grinding mills and to water the farm fields through the use of ingenious irrigation channels. Wheat, maize, grapes (generally used for wine), apples, apricots and walnuts are among the many foodstuffs grown in the area, along with surplus fodder used for feeding the livestock.

The climate is typical of high elevation regions without large bodies of water to regulate the temperature. The summers are mild and agreeable with average maximum temperatures between 23° and 27°C (73° – 81°F). Winters, on the other hand, can be very cold, with average minimum temperatures between 2° and 1°C (36° – 34°F). The average yearly precipitation is 700 to 800 mm (28 – 32 inches).

Kalash

The eastern border of Soon Valley starts from Podhrar village and western border land mark is Sakesar. The Sakesar is the highest mountain peak in the region, 5010 feet highest peak of the Salt Range. The valley is 35 mile long and 9 mile wide.Important towns in the valley are Pail-Piran, Naushahra, Chitta, Sabhral, Khoora, Nowshera, Kufri, Anga, Ugali, Mardwal, Dhadhar, Uchali and Bagh Shams-ud-Din. Kanhatti Garden, Sodhi Garden, Da’ep and Sakesar are resorts located in the valley. The Awan and Rajpoot Janjua tribe is settled in major part of Soon Valley barring Pail-Piran, home to Hasmite Sadaats-descendents of Baha ud Din Zakkariyya Multani.

Soon Valley is located in north west of PUNJAB province and is accessible through public transport from Islamabad (M2 Balkasar Interchange), Lahore (M2 Kalar Kahar Intrechange), Sargodha, Khushab and Mianwali. It is about more than an hour from Khushab, from Islamabad you can enter in valley through Pail-Piran (via Jabah road) or via Sodhi, coming from Chakwal or direct from Jaba coming via Talagang. After crossing Jabah town, Ahmadabad, Khabakki town, Dhadhar and Makrumi Chouk and Mardawal are passed, before reaching the main town of Soon valley – Naushehra. Transport for surrounding villages is available from Naushehra. For Khushab and other eastern villages the bus/taxi stop is Mardwal Chowk while for villages west of Naushehra Y-Cross is the bus/taxi point.

Rakaposhi and Diran Peaks are situated in Minapin Nagar-2, while Rush Lake (High altitude Wetland), Golden Peak, Hopper Glacier, Spantik, Hisper Glacier, Bowalter Glacier and Barpu white glaciers are in Nagar-1. Askurdas is the centre of Nagar.

British military expeditions occurred in the area when it was still part of India in the late 19th century due to disturbance.Once this whole valley was ruled by the khans of hangu till 1893.Sometimes a powerful chief became Governor of the whole country from the indus to the kurram.For instance Ghulam Mohammad khan who was the Khan of Hangu in the time of Nadir Shah is said to have ruled over Baizai(Kohat) and as far as matanni in the peshawar district.

The portion of Miranzai east of Hangu village consists of numerous small and well-cultivated valleys. To the west of Hangu, including the whole of Upper Miranzai, the country is a broad, open valley. The country is full of ravines towards Thal. Miranzai forms the meeting place of many different tribes, but its chief inhabitants are the Bangashes.

The animals located in this valley include Jackals, Wild Pigs, Eagles, Goats, Buffalos and Crows. Crops grown in the region include Corn and Wheat.

A stream flows between the valley during rainy season. The geographic location is as follows:

Chanatar Kas, Stream, 32.9777778, 74.0861111

Mughal remains can be seen behind many of the villages that line up on the sides of the valley. Mughal Emperors used to rule over these lands over 200 years ago. Walls made by them using stones are the most significant remains seen in this area.