The valley has approximately 250 square kilometres (97 sq mi) of glacier cover.

The first is from Skardu via the Deosai Plateau 143 kilometres (89 mi),[6] but that route cannot be used from November to June due to heavy snowfall.

The second route, usable the year round, is from Gilgit via Jaglot 128 kilometres (80 mi).

[7] Around 1600, according to the Imperial Gazetteer of India: Ghāzī Mukhpun, a Persian adventurer, is said to have married a princess of the Skārdu reigning family.

The four sons born of this union became Rās of Astor, Kharmang, Rondu, and Skārdu, respectively, and from them are descended the families of the present chiefs of those places.