Halfway To Paradise!
ake out a few days out of the schedule and embrace
nature by taking an adventure,
cultural and sports tour to Northern Areas of Pakistan. Northern Areas (Gilgit
Baltistan) is a fairy land, which covers thousands of Kilometers of high snowcapped
mountains surrounded by Lashed green valleys, Pine Forests, cultivated fields
and Fruit orchards. Gilgit Baltistan is a tourist paradise for trekkers,
climbers, skiers, jeep safaris, rock climbing and cultural tourists.
The area doesn’t only provide scenic wonderment but
also has strong historical background. During British rule, Gilgit Baltistan was a princely state that was independently ruled by local rulers. In November
1947, people fought against ruler and joined Pakistan as independent republic.
Later, Gilgit Baltistan was declared as fifth province of Pakistan in 2009.
This area has served to be an important route for travelers since the beginning
of history, so there are more than 50,000 pieces of rock art (petroglyphs) and
inscriptions all along the Karakoram Highway. These carvings (date back between
5000 & 1000 BC) were left by invaders, traders, and pilgrims who passed along
the trade route. So, besides adventure and Eco-tourism, Gilgit Baltistan also has the potential
to fulfill exploration desires of cultural tourists.
Out of myriad attractions, a few are: Karakorum Highway (Silk Route) is the main highway
that paves the way for the travelers to explore the beauty of the area. The
1,300 KM long silk route is the highest paved international road in the World
that connects Pakistan and China across Karakorum mountain range through the Khunjerab Pass which is the highest border crossing in the world, at an elevation of over 4800
meters (approx. 16,000 feet). While travelling via Karakoram Highway, travelers
also enjoy Spectacular panoramic view of small valleys, rivers and lakes spread
all across the way. Rush Lake with an
elevation of over 4,694 meters is one of the highest alpine lakes in the world. Fairy Meadows an awe-inspiring point where three world-famous
mountain ranges meet – the Himalayas,
the Karakorum and the Hindukush. Atabad Lake is an artificial lake that was formed due to massive
land sliding. Malam Jabba is the only ski resort. Gilgit Baltistan has the honor of having the Shindur
Polo ground which is the highest polo ground of the world.
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Karakorum Highway (Silk Route)
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Khunjerab Pass (Pakistan-China Border)
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Sight Seeing from Karakorum Highway
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Sight Seeing from Karakorum Highway
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Sight Seeing from Karakorum Highway
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| Shindur Polo Ground |
Gilgit-Baltistan is considered to be one of the safest
regions under Pakistani control and
is home to some of the world's highest
mountains. The main focus of attention for many
travelers is the world's three
highest mountain ranges--the Karakoram, the Himalaya, and
the Hindu Kush, with
five peaks over 8,000 meters and many peaks over 7,000 meters, and
having the
largest glaciers in the world (other than those in the polar region). Wild
rivers
andunique landscapes make this area a "mountain paradise" for
mountaineers, trekkers,
and tourists. Three of the world's seven longest glaciers outside
the Polar Regions are located
in Gilgit-Baltistan – the Biafo
Glacier, the Baltoro Glacier, and the Batura
Glacier. Moreover,
eighteen of the fifty highest peaks in
the world are located in Gilgit-Baltistan.
S. #
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NAME OF PEAK
|
HEIGHT
|
STATUS
|
1
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K2
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8,611 m
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2nd
highest in the
world
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2
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Nanga Parbat
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8,125 m
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9th highest in the world
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3
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Gasherbrum I
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8,080 m
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11th highest in the world
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4
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Broad Peak
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8,047 m.
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12th highest in the world
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5
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Gasherbrum II
|
8,035 m
|
13th
highest in the world
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6
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Gasherbrum III
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7,946 m.
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15th
highest in the world
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7
|
Gasherbrum VI
|
7,932 m.
|
17th
highest in the world
|
8
|
Distaghil Sar
|
7,884 m.
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19th highest in the world
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9
|
Khunyang Chhish
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7823 m.
|
21st highest in the world
|
10
|
Masherbrum
|
7,821 m.
|
22nd
highest in the world
|
11
|
Batura Sar
|
7,795 m.
|
25th
highest in the world
|
12
|
Kanjut Sar
|
7,788 m.
|
26th
highest in the world
|
13
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Rakaposhi
|
7,760 m.
|
27th highest in the world
|
14
|
Saltoro Kangri
|
7,742 m.
|
31st
highest in the world
|
15
|
Chogolisa
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7,498 m.
|
36th
highest in the world
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16
|
Shispare
|
7,611 m.
|
38th
highest in the world
|
17
|
Trivora
|
7,577 m.
|
39th
highest in the world
|
18
|
Skyang Kangri,
|
7,545 m.
|
44th
highest in the world
|
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A view of K-2 from Karakorum Highway
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Nanga Parbat (Killer Mountain) as seen from Karakorum Highway
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Fairy Meadows
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Hiking at Nanga Parbat
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Wildlife at Nanga Parbat
P.S. Hunters must acquire hunting license from local government authority for hunting.
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Atabad Lake
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Skiing at Malam Jabba
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Malam Jabba Ski Resort
Modes
of Transportation:
·
Airplane
·
Car
·
Jeep
·
Mules.
Itinerary
for Gilgit Baltistan soft adventure tour:
Travel by car from
Islamabad to Karimabad. Stop at Shigrila Resort for lunch and overnight stay at Hunza Baltit Inn.
Day
1:
Trekking at Hopper Glacier and Rush Lake. Stay at camp.
Day
2:
Excursion to Khunjerab Pass, the highest point on Karakorum Highway. Stop at
spectacular points to view K-2, Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi and several
valleys and lakes and stay at Serena Shigar Fort.
Day
3: Day trip to Shigar valley to observe the life of natives, meeting people; enjoy
swimming, dinner at local restaurant and stay.
Day
4:
Depart for Fairy Meadows, Hiking at Nanga Parbat Base Camp. Drive down to
Atabad Lake and stay.
Back to Islamabad.
Be our
guest!
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