KAGHAN VALLEY

KAGHAN VALLEY

One of the pleasures of visiting the Kaghan Valley is the picturesque drive from Rawalpindi to Abbottabad and onwards to Balakot, transferring to a four-wheel drive vehicle for the continuation of the journey to Naran, where the rest houses, hotels and motels are located. The Kaghan Valley is 154 Km long, rising to a height of 4,148m at Babusar Pass in the north. This is an ideal area for trekking and trout fishing and is a paradise for the botanist.

Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is one of the most popular scenic spots in the valley. This deep blue lake offers an awe-inspiring view of Mt. Malika Parbat - Queen of Mountains (5,291m). Shogran, Lake Lalusar and Babusar Pass are three places that make this Himalayan hideaway an unforgettable experience. The local people have retained their traditional hospitality and way of life. Time seems to stand still here when compared to the tumultuous roar of the nearby Kunhar River.

A) LAKE SAIF-UL-MULUK - Half Day
A short jeep ride from Naran brings us to enchanting Saif-ul-Muluk Lake. This lovely lake lies at a height of over 3,000m above sea level and is guarded by a ring of forbidding peaks. The crystal clear waters of the lake mirror the azure sky, with its complement of fluffy clouds and reflections of Malika Parbat Peak. The melting snows and glaciers of the mountains feed the lake through a myriad of torrents and streams.

B) BABUSAR PASS - Full Day
The summit of Babusar Pass (4148m) is reached after traversing 70 Km of narrow, winding road from Naran. Once the pass is attained, a fantastic panorama of eternally frozen peaks and windswept valleys lies before the visitor. Nanga Parbat (8125m) magnificent in her gleaming gown of snow can be seen on a clear day. Babusar Pass, gateway to the mountain passes linking Gilgit to the Kaghan Valley is only open from July to September, the remainder of the year it is buried under many tons of snow.

C) LALUSAR LAKE - Full Day
At the extreme northern end of the Kaghan Valley about 50 km from Naran on the Naran-Babusar road is Lalusar Lake, surrounded by clusters of wild flowers in a carpet of blue and gold. This is the source of the Kunhar River, which winds through the length of the valley. Lake Lalusar offers a splendid opportunity for fishing in dark blue waters surrounded by high mountains. The serene beauty and peace, which permeates the Kaghan Valley, makes this an ideal spot for relaxation and reflection.

D) LALAZAR - Full Day
The idyllic plateau of Lalazar lies at an altitude of 3,000 m and is two and half hour jeep drive from Naran. The air here is cool and pleasantly redolent with the scent of the surrounding forest of pine and fir. The plateau offers plenty of opportunities for relaxing, mountaineering, hiking, and nature watching.

E) SHOGRAN - Half Day from Balakot While driving to Naran, a visit to Shogran is a highly recommended side trip. About 12 km from the village of Kawai, on the main road, a steep climb through dense forest of fir and pine brings you to a plateau of great scenic beauty. Here on the grassy plains one can experience the grandeur of Musa-ka Massala Peak (4,267m). Rest houses, hotels and huts for summer retreats are available for a tranquil holiday.

F) ABBOTTABAD - Half Day from Abbottabad
Abbottabad, developed into a cantonment during the days of the British, is now a popular hill resort. Simla Hill, a nearby viewpoint, gives a bird-eye view of the town. At Ilyasi Mosque, another place of interest, the water running from various springs is sacred for many of the people. Abbottabad bazaar is a hub of activity where the mountain people and the local population mix with one another to trade.

G) NATHIAGALI - Full Day from Abbottabad
Nathiagali is reached by means of an uphill drive through spectacular pine forest. It offers a fine view of the Potohar plateau and the snow capped peaks of Kashmir and Kohistan. On a clear day the majestic peak of Nanga Parbat can be seen in the distance. A quiet hill station, Nathiagali is set in a lush green landscape interspersed with bright floral colours, making it a popular holiday resort.

HUNZA VALLEY

HUNZA

Situated in the heart of the Karakorams, the legendary mountain kingdom of Hunza lies on the ancient trade route to Sinkiang; today the Karakoramregion, which was a semi autonomous state but is now fully unified with Pakistan. Hunza is an earthly paradise whose inhabitants are renowned for their longevity, their simplicity Highway runs along this route. Very few places in the world compare with this small mountainous and natural diet. The scenic beauty of this area, with its greenery and snowbound mountains, makes it a true paradise. During the summer there is an abundance of apricots, peaches, pears and grapes. There are several glaciers and high peaks around Hunza, the most magnificent being Rakaposhi (7,788m). Hunza is also known for its unpolluted mountain air, which caused this area to be known as �Shangri-La�. Karimabad is the main town of Hunza. The blossoming and autumn at Hunza are really worth seeing and attract thousands of tourists, especially from Japan.

A) NAGAR AND HOPER - Half Day
High snowcapped mountains surround the village of Hoper, a mere 14 Km from Karimabad, Hunza. Hoper offers a fine view of Ultar Peak (7,388m) and Barpu glacier. A leisurely stroll through the tiny picturesque village will give you an opportunity to observe the everyday life of the countryside. Hoper is another popular trekking spot, offering a natural blend of ruggedness and scenic beauty. The valley of Nagar lies opposite the town.

B) GULMIT, GHULKIN AND BATURA GLACIER - Full Day
The Wakhi people who centuries ago took refuge in the territories of the Mir of Hunza populates the villages of Gulmit and Ghulkin. The ruggedness of the Upper Hunza Valley is emphasized by the majestic peaks of Batura and Passu, which tower over the towns below and Batura glacier, which encircle the valley to the northeast.

C) KARIMABAD, BALTIT & ALTIT - Half Day
In the shadow of the Ultar Peak lie Baltit and Karimabad. A walk past the terraced fields and numerous apricot trees of the valley will give you an experience of the peace and serenity of this Shangri-La. A slightly more arduous path leads to Baltit Fort. Home of the former Mirs, it resembles a Ladak monastery on the outside, while the inside is a wonderland of haphazard rooms. This fort has been recently renovated and converted into museum. This excursion also visits the village of Altit on the other side of the valley along with the old fort, which overlooks the Karakoram Highway, a camel route of bygone days.

D) KHUNJERAB PASS - Full Day
In the old days there were few high passes leading into China that were suitable for the overland travel. Today the Khunjerab Pass, which at an altitude of 4733m is the highest point on the Karakoram Highway, makes an easy all-weather entry into the famous Sinkiang province of the China. This route is a beautiful drive with views of the high mountains of the Karakorams and the distant Pamir Mountain Ranges. At Khunjerab, now declared a national park, one can see Marco Polo Sheep (avis ammon poli)

E) DUIKER (EAGLE�S NEST) - Half Day
Duiker is a prospect point located at a height of 2900m in the footsteps of Ultar Peak. It is a 45-minutes jeep drive from Karimabad and also approachable by a walk of about 03 hours. Duiker offers a superb views back over Hunza and Nagar to Rakaposhi peak and other famous peaks like Golden, Lady Finger, Ultar I & II, Diran, Rush, Spantik etc. The best time to visit Duiker is just before sunrise and sunset.

GILGIT VALLEY

GILGIT

 

The breath taking 60-minute flight from Islamabad to Gilgit through the majestic snowcapped Himalayas and mighty Karakorams is an exciting experience. The Himalayan & Karakoram region consists of several hundred peaks, sixty of which rise higher than 6,700m. Among these giants are the famous Nanga Parbat (8,125m), the ninth highest in the world, and K-2 Peak (8,611m), the second highest.

This is the land where lofty peaks tower above rich valleys and lakes of great scenic beauty; a paradise for the hikers, trekkers, anglers, mountaineers, adventurers, polo enthusiasts, nature lovers and those interested in observing exotic areas and life styles. The trip from Islamabad to Gilgit can also be done by road along the Karakorum Highway, which follows the route of the Indus River. This journey takes 14 hours and can be conveniently broken either at Besham and Chilas, where there is plenty of accommodation available.

A) GILGIT AND KARGAH - Half Day
A visit to Gilgit and its bazar gives one an opportunity to leisurely become acquainted with the mountain people. A visit to the home of a Gilgiton and a school in the community enables the visitor to appreciate their hospitality and simplicity. Situated

15 Km southwest of Gilgit is Kargah, a small valley with several large rock carvings of Lord Buddha. It is not known exactly when the carvings were completed, but the workmanship is definitely that of a talented master. It is likely that a trade route linking Southern China with the neighboring countries once ran through the region. Further down, the valley narrows and through it flows the Kargah Nullah (stream) that abounds with fish.

B) NALTAR - Full Day
At the foot of Naltar Peak lies this photogenic valley at an altitude of 3,048m. Naltar is a popular trekking point. Its semi-nomadic people earn their living by growing potatoes and rearing cattle. A thick forest of cypress and cedar trees adds a sparkle of colour amongst the rocky peaks, especially when viewed from above. This is a full day excursion from Gilgit and needs 4WD jeeps.

C) BAGROT - Full Day
A beautiful village untouched by modern civilization, Bagrot is situated in Gilgit Valley 43 Km from Gilgit town. The narrow valley here presents enchanting mountain scenery and boasts an abundance of fruits, nuts and wild vines. The inhabitants of Bagrot are a simple, likeable people who believe in retaining their old culture and traditions. A visit to the fascinating Hinarche glacier is particularly recommended.

D) PUNIAL - Full Day
The excursion to the paradise of Punial starts with a jeep ride full of adventure. Lush greenery mixed with blossoming flowers make the journey colourful as the road climbs along the mountain slopes. At Sher Qila (the capital) you will have an audience with the last surviving Raja of the former Kingdom of Punial. A walk through the village and a visit to a home, a water mill and a school gives a good idea of the people. Also situated in the village is the beautiful wooden residence of the former kings.