Quick answer: Kharmang Valley
- Distance: Manthokha 80 km south-east of Skardu (2.5–3 hrs); Khamosh about 125 km (3.5–4 hrs)
- Main sights: Manthokha Waterfall, Khamosh Waterfall, Kharmang Fort
- Activities: rafting (~PKR 8,000) and sky cycling (~PKR 1,500) at Manthokha
- Manthokha: 55 m (180 ft), roadside, no hike needed
- Khamosh: at Shirting village, a full day from Skardu, and needs a short trek at the end
- Best season: May to October, peak flow in summer
Where Kharmang is, and why it matters
Kharmang is the district south-east of Skardu along the Indus, and it holds something geographically significant: this is where the Indus River enters Pakistani-administered territory from the Leh district across the Line of Control. The road that runs through it is the old route toward Kargil.
The name is Balti, khar meaning fort and mang meaning abundant, "the place of many forts," which tells you something about how contested this corridor once was.
For visitors, Kharmang is the quietest of the main valleys around Skardu. Where Shigar gets the heritage traffic and Khaplu gets the palace visitors, Kharmang gets comparatively few, which is precisely its appeal.
Manthokha Waterfall
Manthokha is the valley's headline attraction and the easier of the two waterfalls to reach. It drops approximately 55 metres (180 feet) and sits roughly 80 km from Skardu, about 2.5 to 3 hours by road. Crucially, it is a genuine roadside stop. No hiking required, which makes it one of the few major sights near Skardu accessible to anyone regardless of fitness.
What is there
A small park has developed at the base with seating, a modest café and shaded picnic areas within sight of the falls, and two paid activities now run here — see below. Trout farms operate nearby and several small restaurants serve fish caught the same day. Worth timing your visit around a midday meal rather than treating it as a photo stop.
Activities at Manthokha: rafting and sky cycling
Manthokha is no longer only a photo stop. Two paid activities operate at the site, both arranged locally and paid in cash.
| Activity | Typical price | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Rafting | ~PKR 8,000 per person, per trip | On the river below the falls. The most substantial activity here and priced accordingly. |
| Sky cycling | ~PKR 1,500 per person | A cable-mounted cycle crossing above the river. Short, and the cheapest thrill in the valley. |
Neither is included in a vehicle hire, and both are negotiated on site. Sky cycling at PKR 1,500 is good value by Skardu standards — compare it with Sarfaranga, where a twenty-minute jeep run is around PKR 12,000. Cost your whole trip including these in our visit budget planner.
Availability follows the season and the water level. Rafting depends on flow, so it is most likely to be running from June through August when glacial melt is strongest, and may not operate at all by late September.
When to go
Check current conditions here against every other stop on our live weather board, which covers nine locations side by side.
Waterfall volume follows glacial melt, so the current Skardu weather and recent temperatures are a reasonable guide to what you will see.
Volume depends on glacial melt, so June through August gives the most dramatic flow. By late September it visibly reduces. In winter it partially freezes, which is striking, but Kharmang road conditions make a winter trip inadvisable for most travellers.
Khamosh Waterfall and Khamosh Valley
Khamosh, the name means "silent" in Urdu, sits further up the valley near Shirting village, and is also known locally as Shirithing Waterfall. It is the wilder of the two: water falls from an overhung rock with no plunge pool at the base, so the spray scatters outward off solid rock rather than landing in a basin.
Published figures for Khamosh vary widely. Sources give heights between roughly 30 m and 60 m (100–200 ft), and distances from Skardu ranging from 60 km to 130 km. Partly because "Khamosh" is used for both the falls and the wider Ghandus/ Shirting area. The mapped location of the falls, at Shirting, is about 125 km from Skardu by road and 3.5 to 4 hours each way, which matches the drive times visitors report; the 60 km figures do not. Height remains genuinely disputed, so treat any single figure with caution.
Getting to Khamosh
Khamosh is about 125 km from Skardu, 3.5 to 4 hours each way. Unlike Manthokha, it also requires effort on arrival. Most accounts describe driving to the Shirting area and then walking the final stretch. Anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours depending on where you park and current road conditions. A 4x4 is preferable, though family cars reportedly manage the main road in good conditions.
Because of that, and because it sits further up the valley than Manthokha, Khamosh works better as a dedicated day rather than something bolted onto a Manthokha trip.
Get directions to Khamosh WaterfallShirting village, Kharmang. About 125 km south-east, 3.5 to 4 hours each way.Manthokha or Khamosh — which should you visit?
| Manthokha | Khamosh | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Skardu | ~80 km, 2.5–3 hrs | ~125 km, 3.5–4 hrs |
| Access | Roadside, no hike | Short trek required |
| Height | 55 m (180 ft), well documented | Disputed, roughly 30–60 m |
| Facilities | Park, café, trout restaurants | Minimal, bring water and snacks |
| Crowds | Busy in peak summer | Much quieter |
| Best for | Families, limited mobility, short visits | Walkers wanting somewhere quiet |
If you have one day and are travelling with family, go to Manthokha. If you have already seen it, or want somewhere without picnic crowds, Khamosh is the better half-day.
Other things in Kharmang
Kharmang and Khaplu both sit east of Skardu but on different roads. Do not try to combine them in one day.
- Kharmang Fort – in Kharmang Khas valley, the fort that gives the district its name
- Mehdiabad Valley – a quieter side valley with little visitor infrastructure
- Indus viewpoints – the drive itself has repeated pull-offs above the river, and this is some of the most dramatic gorge scenery around Skardu
- Trout – the valley's farms supply restaurants at both waterfalls
Planning a Kharmang day trip
| Depart Skardu | 8:00–8:30am |
| Drive to Manthokha | 2.5–3 hours |
| At the falls | 1–2 hours including a trout lunch |
| Return | Mid-to-late afternoon |
| Total | A full day, do not combine with Deosai or Khaplu |
See our Skardu map and distances for how Kharmang sits relative to the other valleys, and the 5-day itinerary for where it fits.
Practical notes
There is one filling station on the Kharmang road. Fill up in Skardu first — see petrol stations and where fuel runs out.
Where these figures come from and how often they are checked: see our sources and methodology.
Published figures for Khamosh vary widely. If you have been, tell us what you measured.
If you book a guided trip rather than driving yourself, check the operator is licensed. See registered tour operators in Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Mobile coverage is patchy along the Kharmang road. Tell someone your plan
- Carry cash and snacks; facilities between Skardu and the falls are limited
- Rocks around both waterfalls are slick with spray. Stay on marked areas
- Check road conditions before departing, particularly after heavy rain
- A sedan manages the Manthokha road; a 4x4 is more comfortable and advisable for Khamosh
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kharmang Valley?
Kharmang is the district south-east of Skardu along the Indus, roughly 75 to 120 km away depending how far up the valley you travel. It is where the Indus River enters Pakistani-administered territory from Leh district.
How tall is Manthokha Waterfall?
Approximately 55 metres, or 180 feet. It sits about 80 km from Skardu, roughly 2.5 to 3 hours by road, and is reachable directly from the roadside with no hiking required.
How do I get to Khamosh Waterfall?
Khamosh Waterfall is at Shirting village in Kharmang, about 125 km south-east of Skardu and 3.5 to 4 hours each way, so plan a full day. Drive up the Kharmang road past Manthokha, then walk the final stretch, anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours depending on where you park. A 4x4 is preferable.
Which is better, Manthokha or Khamosh?
Manthokha is easier, roadside access, a picnic park, cafés and trout restaurants, ideal for families. Khamosh needs a trek and has minimal facilities, but it is far quieter.
What is the best time to visit Kharmang waterfalls?
May to October, with peak flow from June to August when glacial melt is strongest. By late September the volume visibly drops, and winter road conditions make access difficult.
Can I visit Manthokha and Khamosh in one day?
Not comfortably. Manthokha alone is a full day from Skardu given the drive. Khamosh sits further up the valley and needs a trek, so treat them as separate outings.
What activities are available at Manthokha Waterfall?
Rafting on the river below the falls at around PKR 8,000 per person per trip, and sky cycling — a cable-mounted cycle crossing above the river — at around PKR 1,500 per person. Both are arranged on site and paid in cash. Rafting depends on water level and is most likely to run from June through August.
How much does rafting at Manthokha cost?
Roughly PKR 8,000 per person per trip. It runs on the river below the falls and depends on flow, so it is most reliable during the summer melt from June to August. Sky cycling at the same site is far cheaper at around PKR 1,500.