Etymologically, the name is derived from sermo: ser means gold and mo feminises the word.

Surmo is approximately 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from the district administrative capital of Khaplu.

Its neighborhoods are Choghogrong, Tarkari, Khar, Gond, Langkhung, Tishari, and Ghazi-Thang.

Surmo is one of the oldest valleys in Baltistan and contains 150-year-old walnut trees.

Local people call this place Rgyalmo Khar (a queen's palace) as it had been a rich village.