To the north of the western part of the
Greater Himalayas lies the Karakoram Range. It is the highest mountain range in north-east Pakistan and northern India. It extends about 482 km south to north from the Pamir Knot in Central Asia.
Shaksgam, a tributary of the Yarkand river, and Ishkoman and Karumba rivers lie on the western side of this range. Towards the east is upper
Shyok, originating from the Rimo glacier. Karakoram also has the world’s second highest peak, K2 (28,250 ft).
Gasherbrum (26,000 ft), Masherbrum (25,660 ft), Rakaposhi (25,550 ft), Saltoro Kangri (25,400 ft) and Saser Kangri lie within the region. Its longest glaciers include Batura (36 miles),
Baltoro (36 miles) and
Siachen (45 miles).
