Hunza Valley, Gilgit Baltistan

Hunza Valley, Gilgit Baltistan

Every traveller must fall in love with the area at first sight. There is nothing better than to get to Karimabad (2420 m asl), the heart of the Hunza valley, after a difficult and long trek, sit on the terrace of one of the small hotels, pluck ripe apricots directly from the tree and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets at the local mountain queen – Rakaposhi (7788 m asl).

The magnificent Attabaad Lake, which is also known as Gojal Lake is situated in Gojal Valley of Gilgit Baltistan. There is a sad fact that a lot of Pakistanis don’t know about the lake, It was formed in January 2010 after a massive land sliding into the Hunza River.

Hunza river broke here through the ridge of the mighty Karakoram, which is more than five kilometers higher, so there are plenty of dramatic views in all directions.

Borith lake is situated just 2-3 KM away from KKH, The road towards lake is a mud track but could be reached with cars easily. The color of lake is very dark and may be not as beautiful with respect to other lakes of Gilgit Baltistan but its water is crystal clear. The place is very silent and peaceful and sight is also very scenic.

Satpara Lake Sakardu, Pakistan

Satpara Lake Sakardu, Pakistan

Satpara Lake (also called “Sadpara Lake”) is natural lake situated about 9 kilometers (5.59 miles) north of Skardu (the capital of Baltistan), in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Situated at an altitude of 2,635 meters (8645 feet) the lake is reached after 20 minutes of jeep drive from Skardu.

A dam named as Skardu Dam is being built on this lake to generate more electricity. The dam is 128 ft high and will generate about 17.36 MV of electricity. The lake is a big source of fresh water and is 8650 ft long. The crystal clear water of Satpara Lake gives delight to one’s eyes. The water of this lake shines in the daytime and that is why people believe that gold is buried in the bottom. Satpara Lake serves as a centre of various activities such as row borating, and trout fishing.

The lake is open the whole year but this does not mean that the optimal time to travel to the lake is anywhere in the summer or the winter months. Rather the best time to travel to the lake is in the spring when the lush vegetation near the lake has taken full form and the flowers have started to bloom. With the vegetation growing and the flowers blooming, the vast lake which measures more than 2.5 Km becomes a marvel of nature. And as the dam has added more space to the lake, this time is the best time to see various animals that have now made their homes near the lake in order to reap the benefits that it brings.

After visiting some of Pakistans smaller Lakes I found this Lake still beautiful but not as captivating as the others. I don't know if it was due to the weather or just the size of the Lake. It didn't matter as we were going past it anyway and we enjoyed stopping to take a few photos. Like usual I find the colour of the water contrasts beautifully with the harsher landscape.

Katas Raj Temple, Ancient history

Katas Raj Temple, Ancient history

Situated within embrace of the Salt Range near Kallar Kahar, Punjab, this splendid complex of temples dedicated to Ram, Hanuman and Shiva is laid around a natural pond. The pond, the faithful believe, was created from a teardrop of the weeping Shiva as he flew across the sky carrying the dead body of his wife Sati.

The Katas site houses the Satgraha or seven temples, a gathering of seven old temple, remains of a Buddhist stupa, a couple of medieval sanctuaries, havelis and some as the newly built sanctuaries, scattered around a lake considered sacred by Hindus.

 He shed two tears, one creating this pond, the other falling and making a pond in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The Pandavas came to this place during their exile, the legend goes, and built some of the older temples. Historical records suggest many of the temples, constructed in the Kashmiri architectural tradition, came up in the 11th century CE, when this region, along with parts of Punjab, fell under a Kashmiri kingdom.

Taobat Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir

Taobat Neelam Valley, Azad Kashmir

The last station of Neelum Valley is Taobut and end point of Pak beauty in Kashmir. It has a sever season and heavy snow in winter, and winter season continue about 6 months starting from October to April end.

It is undoubtedly the land of striking beauty, lush green rolling grounds, pine hills, wood cottages, cherry trees, meandering emerald riverine accompanying you on every turn. Seeing is believing, i just can't find any piece of territory synonymous or comparable to this amazing territory.

Accessible during spring, fall and summers, served with a metal road up to Keran, this part of valley is jeepable.

The Neelam river enter the premises of Azad Kashmir flowing down through the Taobut. It’s the very first place where we can find population while descending down the Neelam Valley along beautiful The Neelam River.

Kalash valley of Rumbur

Kalash valley of Rumbur

The Kalash valleys of Chitral are located in the southern gorges of the Hindu Kush ... Some famous Malosh sites are in Batrik, Krakal, Birir, Rumbur and Gromun.

The Kalash are found in 3 valleys Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir. They are a warrior like people who ruled from near Kabul to the Lowari Pass.

The free women of Kalash. Entering the Rumbur valley, Pakistan, with all of its violence and militancy, felt like it was left behind.

Gondogoro Glacier Pakistan

Gondogoro Glacier Pakistan

The view from the summit of this nearly 5700 m. pass (Gondogoro La) is beyond description. In the opinion of many, it is simply the finest mountain panorama in the world. K-2, Broad Peak, the four Gasherbrums, Trinity Peak, Laila Peak and a multitude of lesser pinnacles touch the heavens all around you.

Gondogoro Glacier is located towards the North of Hushe Valley of Gilgit Baltistan. A practically tough route of 6-7 days leading over the Gondogoro Glacier. From Skardu, a jeep road now goes right up to Hushe Village This area is located in specified restricted zone and trekking permit and permission from Ministry of Tourism, Islamabad is required. 

Gondogoro glacier is base camp for several peaks rising on the both side of the glacier can be thus reached. Famous Gondogoro Pass (5580m) is located on the north enclosing ridge of Gondogoro glacier, and by crossing this pass the Baltoro Glacier can be reached at Ali Campsite near Concordia.

The best season for this route is from the month of May to End of September each year. From Hushe village (3250m), the trail continues northwards, takes an easterly curve and, turning north again ascends the Gondogoro Glacier.

 

One must make an extra effort from Concordia to see this spectacle. The trek to the top of the Gondogoro La includes some 60 degree ice and snow slopes climbs that require the use of an ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet, ropes and carabiners.

The first leg of the trek takes us to Concordia (see the K-2 Trek description for this trip segment). Upon leaving Concordia we hike up to Ali Camp, situated above the Vigne Glacier. The fluted and icy-white slopes of Chogolisa tower in front of us, reminiscent of a wedding gown, which gives Chogolisa its other name: Bride Peak.

Trango Towers of Pakistan

Trango Towers of Pakistan

The Trango Towers are a set of rock towers situated in Gilgit-Baltistan, in the North of Pakistan. The Towers offer some of the largest cliffs and most challenging rock climbing in the world, and every year a number of expeditions from all corners of the globe visit Karakoram to climb the difficult granite.

Located in the Baltoro Glacier region of northern Pakistan, Great Trango, the tallest formation in Trango Valley, features 4,396 vertical feet of granite, more than any other face in the world. This spire is over 20,000 feet above sea level, and combined with Trango Tower (aka Nameless Tower) to the northwest, these formations dominate the horizon on the approach to the larger mountains of K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum IV, and Nanga Parbat.

Many tourists choose to travel Gilgit by air since the road travel between Islamabad and Gilgit by Karakoram Highway takes nearly 18 hours, whereas the air travel takes a mere 45-50 minutes. Gilgit Airport is located at a small ground very close to the center it takes 5 – 10 Minutes from Airport to any hotel in town.

Gilgit city is one of the two major hubs for all mountaineering expeditions almost all tourists headed for treks in Karakoram or Himalaya ranges arrive at Gilgit first. 

The best season to visit is from May to mid October. The local dialect is Shina, however, Urdu and English are also spoken and understood

Gilgit is just off the Karakoram Highway between Chilas and Karimabad, and most people arrive by road. The main bus stand is on the KKH – Karakoram Highway, and requires a taxi ride or shared jeep to reach from town. There are booking agents in town for long distance buses along the KKH. The journey from Islamabad can take as long as 24 hours.

Lake Saif ul Malook Pakistan

Lake Saif ul Malook Pakistan

Lake Saif-ul-Malook – ranked by The Guardian as the fifth best tourist destination in Pakistan – seems like heaven on earth. The greenish-blue crystal clear and freezing water, surrounded by giant glaciers, including Malika Parbat, reflects the beauty of Saif-ul-Malook.

Jheel Saiful Malook lake is located 8km away from Naran Bazar in Kaghan Valley. It takes almost 7 hours from Islamabad. Saiful Malook Lake is the most famous tourists destination in Naran Kaghan Valley. Tourists feels incomplete tour if they do not visit Lake during their Naran visit.

The magical lake is completely frozen during winters due to heavy snowfall. The ideal time for tourists starts from June to September. The weather of this divine place is extremely pleasant during day time (about 15-20 degree centigrade), whereas at night the temperature drops to three degrees centigrade.

Grand Canyon National Park | USA

Grand Canyon National Park

With its ever-changing and dramatic scenery of enormous proportions, the Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most spectacular landscapes. Located in northern Arizona, The Grand Canyon is one of the great tourist attractions in the United States. Its pine and fir forests, painted deserts, sandstone canyons, mesas and plateaus, volcanic and geologic features, the Colorado River, perennial streams, and waterfalls breathtakingly combine to form one of Earth’s greatest landmarks. 

Carved by the Colorado River, the canyon attains a depth of over 1.6 km (1 mile) and 446 km (277 miles) long.  The only one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World to be located in North America, more than 4,000,000 people visit the canyon each year, making it the most visited national park in the United States. The Grand Canyon is not the deepest or the longest canyon in the world but the overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape offers visitor spectacular vistas that are unmatched throughout the world. It is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

"Grand" doesn't begin to do this canyon justice. Measuring approximately 277 river miles in length, up to 18 miles in width and a mile deep, this massive chasm in northern Arizona is truly a natural wonder. The Grand Canyon is not the deepest or the longest canyon in the world but the overwhelming size and its intricate and colorful landscape offers visitor spectacular vistas that are unmatched throughout the world. It is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

For six million years, the Grand Canyon has expanded with the help of the mighty Colorado River, and for centuries, people from all over the globe have traveled to gaze out over its red and orange grandeur. 

Lake District National Park

Lake District National Park

Lake District, famous scenic region and national park in the administrative county of Cumbria, England. With 12 of the country's largest lakes and more than 2,000 miles of rights of way waiting to be explored, there's little wonder the region continues to inspire, with its magnificent views and scenery straight out of a painting. Other things to do include visiting the park's many fells, including Scafell Pike (3,210 feet), the highest mountain in England; lovely little towns and villages such as Grasmere; as well as boat excursions across Lake Windermere and Ullswater.

The Lake District became a national park in 1951, and the increased social mobility of the population of the industrial regions of northern England has stimulated the tourist industry. The increased demand for water by industrial northwestern England has resulted in the use of Thirlmere Lake as a reservoir, precluding its use for recreation.

It is the largest National Park in the country (occupying 885 sq. miles) and is considered one of its most scenic regions and England's premier destination for hiking and climbing.