Kharmang is one of the ten administrative districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, on the Baltistan side of the region. It covers 6,144 square kilometres, its headquarters is Kharmang and, on the 2023 figures, it’s home to 61,304 people. Only one place is attached to it on the public record: Mantokha Waterfall. The outing built around that waterfall is covered on our Kharmang destination page.
If you’re planning a trip here, it helps to know up front how much the record covers and how much it leaves out. This page explains what the district record says, how Kharmang relates to its neighbours and how to plan a visit without assuming facts the record doesn’t hold. Everything travellers often pair with Kharmang, such as the Skardu lakes, Shigar Valley and Hushe Valley, belongs to a neighbouring district, and we keep those labels accurate.
Kharmang at a glance
| Record | What is named |
|---|---|
| Role | One of the ten administrative districts |
| Area | 6,144 km² |
| Headquarters | Kharmang |
| Tehsils | 1 |
| Population (2023) | 61,304 |
| Named place | Mantokha Waterfall |
| Named property | None |
| Created | 2015, from Skardu District |
| Often confused with it | Skardu lakes, Shigar Valley, Hushe Valley |
Where Kharmang sits
Kharmang was carved out of Skardu District in 2015, the same year Shigar was separated from Skardu. Until then, it was part of Skardu. The new district has one tehsil, with its headquarters at Kharmang. The tehsil is a count, not a list of village names, so we don’t name villages beyond what’s on the record.
The landscape is overwhelmingly high mountain. According to the district record, less than 5 percent of the area is alpine pasture, and more than 93 percent of the remaining area is permanently under snow. That tells you a lot about the district before you arrive: settled, accessible ground is a small share of a large, icy area.
How big is Kharmang?
At 6,144 square kilometres, Kharmang is larger than Gilgit District. Yet on the 2023 figures it’s the least populous of the eight districts we compare on this site. For context:
- Skardu: 278,885 people on 10,168 km², with four tehsils
- Ghanche: 157,822 people on 8,531 km², with six tehsils
- Kharmang: 61,304 people on 6,144 km², with one tehsil
The scale is real, but the named geography is thin. Mantokha Waterfall is the only place attached to the district, and the headquarters takes the district’s own name.
Mantokha Waterfall
Mantokha Waterfall, usually spelled Manthokha or Manthoka, is the district’s named place. Our place page describes it as a roughly 180 ft (55 m) waterfall in Manthokha village, reached by a short link road. It’s the reason most visitors come to Kharmang.
A visit is usually planned as a waterfall day from Skardu, which is the airport and lodging hub for Baltistan. No hotel is named for Kharmang, and no second Kharmang place is listed. Whether the waterfall is a half-day trip or worth a night in the district depends on road conditions and where you can confirm a bed. Those practical questions are handled on the Kharmang destination page, which advises treating Skardu as the hub until a local bed is confirmed.
Neighbouring sights that aren’t in Kharmang
Many Baltistan itineraries combine Mantokha with sights in other districts. That’s sensible, but the district labels matter:
- Kachura Lake and Sadpara Lake are in Skardu District.
- Shigar Valley is in Shigar.
- Hushe Valley is in Ghanche.
They’re useful on a Baltistan journey, but they don’t become Kharmang sights because the same road serves them.
Language, history and festivals
No language article, history article or festival on this site is tagged to Kharmang. Balti is filed with Ghanche, so we don’t assume it as Kharmang’s local language. The Sevendays Winter Feast is region-wide, not a Kharmang date. If you want to learn about local language and customs, ask your guide or host.
When to visit Kharmang
Seasonal windows for the region are on our best time to visit Gilgit-Baltistan guide. It doesn’t publish an opening month for Mantokha. Given how much of the district is under permanent snow, expect conditions to change sharply with the season, and check road and weather conditions with local operators before setting out.
How to get to Kharmang
Most travellers reach Kharmang through Skardu. Our Skardu International Airport page covers flying in, and getting to Gilgit-Baltistan covers the wider approach by air and road. From Skardu, a local driver or licensed operator can advise on road time to Mantokha. We don’t publish drive times, because they depend on road conditions.
Where to stay
No lodging property is named for Kharmang. Plan to use Skardu as your base unless you’ve confirmed a bed in the district directly. Our accommodation options overview explains the types of lodging in the region, and homestay regulations covers licensed homestays. Don’t rely on unconfirmed listings.
A sample way to plan the day
Because only one place is named, a simple plan works best:
- Base yourself in Skardu.
- Confirm road conditions and a driver the day before.
- Leave early to allow for slow sections.
- Spend time at Mantokha Waterfall.
- Return to Skardu, or stay overnight only if a bed is confirmed.
You can pair the trip with Skardu’s lakes on another day, keeping the district labels straight.
Practical visitor guidance
- Carry cash. The department FAQ notes that the local currency is the Pakistani Rupee and that credit cards aren’t widely accepted.
- Hire an experienced local driver. Mountain roads can be narrow and slow.
- Pack warm layers, even in summer, along with sun protection, water and snacks. See packing for Gilgit-Baltistan.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography restrictions.
- Respect village life. Mantokha sits in a village, so dress modestly and keep noise down.
- Leave no litter at the waterfall or along the road.
Safety in high mountain country
With more than 93 percent of the non-pasture area under permanent snow, Kharmang is serious mountain terrain. Even a short waterfall trip deserves some preparation. Weather can change quickly, and roads can be affected by rockfall or landslides, especially after rain. Check conditions before you leave Skardu and be ready to turn back if your driver advises it.
Mobile coverage and services can be limited in remote areas, so tell someone your plans and expected return time. Carry basic first-aid supplies and enough water for the day. If you need help within Gilgit-Baltistan, the Tourism Department FAQ says to dial 1422 for the Tourist Police.
Who Kharmang suits
Kharmang suits travellers who:
- want a quieter day out from Skardu
- enjoy waterfalls and village scenery
- are comfortable with simple, flexible plans
- don’t need a long list of sights
If you want a packed itinerary with many named attractions, combine Mantokha with days in Skardu, Shigar or Ghanche instead of expecting more from Kharmang itself.
Responsible travel in a small district
Kharmang’s small population and single named place mean visitor numbers can have an outsized effect. Hiring local drivers and guides, buying from local sellers and keeping sites clean all help. Treat the waterfall as part of a living village, not just a photo stop.
Photography at Mantokha
Waterfalls are popular photo subjects, and Mantokha is no exception. Spray can make rocks slippery, so watch your footing and keep a safe distance from the edge. Protect your camera or phone from mist. If local people are nearby, ask before including them in your photos, and avoid photographing homes or private spaces without permission.
Why the record is so short
It may seem odd that a district larger than Gilgit District has only one named place. The district record lists what has been documented publicly, not everything that exists. We stick to that record and don’t invent villages, trails or properties. As new places are documented, we’ll add them.
How to use this page with the destination page
This district page holds the civil record: area, headquarters, population and the fact that Kharmang’s named place is Mantokha. The Kharmang destination page owns the visit itself. Read this page for context, then use the destination page to plan.
Frequently asked questions
What place is in Kharmang District?
Mantokha Waterfall. It’s the only place attached to the district on the record.
How big is Kharmang District?
6,144 square kilometres, with one tehsil and its headquarters at Kharmang.
What is Kharmang’s population?
61,304 on the 2023 figures, the smallest of the eight districts we compare.
When was Kharmang District created?
In 2015, when it was carved out of Skardu District.
Are Kachura and Sadpara lakes in Kharmang?
No. Both are in Skardu District. Shigar Valley is in Shigar, and Hushe Valley is in Ghanche.
Is there a hotel named for Kharmang?
No. Treat Skardu as the lodging hub until you’ve confirmed a local bed.
How high is Mantokha Waterfall?
Our place page describes it as roughly 180 ft (55 m) high.
Is there a Kharmang language or festival on record?
No. Balti is filed with Ghanche, and the Sevendays Winter Feast is region-wide.
When is the best time to visit Kharmang?
See our best time to visit guide. It doesn’t publish a Mantokha opening month, so check conditions locally.
How do I get to Kharmang?
Most travellers go through Skardu and hire a local driver or licensed operator for the road trip.
Source
Administrative districts of Gilgit-Baltistan · Government of Gilgit-Baltistan · Accessed 2026-08-24
