Top Places of Gilgit and Baltistan for Tourists

Top Places of Gilgit and Baltistan for Tourists

The vast plains, sky soaring mountains and gorgeous people in the expanses of Gilgit Baltistan make a triplet of natural realms of fame. Gilgit and Baltistan is a separate administrative region of Pakistan called F A N A (Federally Administrated Northern areas). The region has its west borders with K P K province of Pakistan, Afghanistan is in north, China is in northeast, Indian Occupied Kashmir on southeast and Pakistani administrated Azad Kashmir on its southward. It is the second famous region for mountaineering in the world after Nepal. Second highest peak of the world K2 is located in the area along with four other peaks with an elevation of 8000 meters from the seashores. Other than the greatest mountain peaks, the region is also popular for some of the renown glaciers showing a glimpse guise of Gilgit and Baltistan for tourists. Three of these glaciers are Biafo Glacier, Baltoro Glacier and Batura Glacier. Hence the region is in focus of tourism activities and tour packages in Gilgit Baltistan to the sightseers and mountaineers from all over the world. Apart from the glaciers and mountain peaks, there are also plains and valleys in the region where people live speaking Shina and Balti languages. The region has a wide expense of 72971 square kilometers for the tourists to come and enjoy the pure natural spots of interest.

1. Attabad Lake

It is a accidental creation of nature in Hunza valley of Gilgit. The lake came into existence on the occurrence of a huge landslide in Attabad area of Gilgit on 4th of January 2010. The lake was formed from the blockage of Hunza River. As a consequence of the damming of Hunza River, five villages in the north of the obstruction were flooded. One village, Ayeenabad, was completely inundated. A major portion of another village, Shishkat, was also drenched. Approximately 40% of the village Gulmit, which also dishes up as the headquarters of Gojal Valley, was also drowned. Noteworthy portions of land in Hussain and Ghulkin villages of Gojal also got submerged as a upshot of the swelling lake. The Valley of Gojal was worst affected as an effect of the lake. The area is residence to three small cultural groups, namely the Wakhi(80%), Burushaski (18%), and Domaki (2%). The whole population of Domaki speakers, a small minority and historically marginalized community, was relocated from their village of Shishkat. The lake presents a splendid view on the skirts of Karakoram Highway versifying the attractive tour packages. The lake has been visited by numerous sightseers since its creation.

2. Baltit Fort

At a steep height of 8500 feet, there stands the famous fort of Baltit in the Hunza Valley of Gilgit and Baltistan.the global coordinates of the fort are 36°19′32″ N and 74°40′11″ E amongst the highest mountains of more than 25000 feet. The rulers of Hunza state primarily dwelt in the Altit Fort, but afterwards a conflict occurred between the two sons of the Sultan. Thence the elder brorher shifted to the Baltit fort. The eventually the conflict came to an end with the death of the younger brother. Thus the Baltit fort became power center of Hunza. With the invasion of the states of Hunza and Nager by the British army in December 1891, the fortified wall and watch towers of the old Baltit village were rebuilt. The reinstated Fort, splendid in its royal glory was launched on September 29, 1996 in the presence of Aga Khan IV and president of Pakistan. the fort is now activated and preserved by the Baltit Heritage Trust and it is open for the visitors. Conservation at its finest, the Baltit Fort gives out as an ideal model of culture reinstated and conserved for the upcoming generations of the Baltit people.

3. Deosai Plains

The great Deosai Plains make the highest and the vastest plains in the world. These Plains are a part of District Skardu at an extreme height of 13500 feet from the sea level. There has been established a grand National Park in 1993. This park covers a large area of three thousand square kilometers among the regions of Khamang, Astore and Skardu.  Deosai is situated about 30 km from the city of Skardu and it is the shortest road to trip Deosai. Most of the foreign visitors reach Deosai via Skardu. It acquires one hour to arrive at Deosai Top via Sadpara, Skardu. Another route to the area is from Astore valley via Chilim. Deosai Plains are also reachable from Shila valley. It is a gorgeous summer meadow with foliage and innumerable species of fauna and flora. The sight of the Karakorum Range from the top of Deosai Plains is celebrated. Distant from the fairies, this upland is the habitat of the really endangered Himalayan Brown Bear and many of the other wild animals. There grow many precious herbs of great medicinal values.

4. Fairy Meadows

The locally called ‘Joot’ region in the skirts of Nanga Parbat has been named as Fairy Meadows by the German climbers. With global coordinates of 35°23′12″ N and 74°35′03″ E, this vast region is located in Diamer District of Gilgit Baltistan at a height of 3300 meters from the sea shores. Fairy Meadows is accessible by a twelve kilometer-long jeep able trail opening from Raikhot Bridge on Karakoram Highway on to the village Tato. Advance from Tato, there is a two hours hiking along a five km long high steep to access the Fairy Meadows. The half year tourist period at Fairy Meadows begins in April and carrys on until the close of September. Tourists Lodge at the camp site extends over 800 hectares well known being “Raikot Serai”. The high elevation region and north-facing slopes typically comprise of coniferous forest having Pinus Wallichiana, Picea Smithiana and Abies Pindrow trees. Among fauna, a few brown bears are seen in the area, with their numbers dilapidating. Some musk deers, observed as an endanger species, are also there in the Fairy Meadows. These Meadows have great appearance on the tour packages of Gilgit Baltistan.

5. Ghizer Meadows

Ghizer Meadows are in the district of Ghizer in Gilgit Baltistan. The Ghizer Meadows are located at an elevation of 9940 feet with global coordinates of 36°12′37″ N and 73°45′18″ E. Ghizer district is the northernmost part of the Northern Areas.. It touches the Wakhan strip on north-west, and China on its northern borders. On its west, there is Chitral District of KPK and on its east is located Gilgit. The district of Diamer is on the south. Gakuch is district headquarter of Ghizer. Along the natural stretches of Ghizer Meadows, there are so many villages. Lush green and very pleasant places, such as Shandur, Phunder Lake, Khalti Lake are spreading in the Ghizer Meadows.. The largest lake, Khalti, is very famous for trout fishes. On the tour packages in Gilgit Baltistan for tourists, there are PTDC Hotel and some private hotels in the Ghizer District. Polo tournament is conducted every year on the famous Shandur Polo Ground on the borders of the Ghizer Meadows.

6. Gojal Valley

On an elevation of 4672 meters, there is located Gojal Valley which is also known as Upper Hunza  in the far north of Pakistan. This is the largest sub-division of Gilgit Baltistan by area with an area of 8500 square kilometers. It borders Pakistan and China at Khunjerab Pass and Afghanistan at Chipurson valley. It is the largest sub-division of the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Gojal is a mountainous region forming the western part of the Karakoram and Eastern Pamir mountain range. This region also hosts the 56 km elongated Batura glacier which is the third longest glacier of Pakistan after Hispar and Biafo. Shishkat is amongst the fine-looking places in Gojal viewing a glimpse guise of Gilgit and Baltistan for tourists, The village appears first in going to Gojal. Attabad lake is also affixed with Shishat, principally Attabad lake got its name after catastrophe in 2007, many people of Attabad were killed. Gojal is celebrated for its artistic festival. The people of Shishkat are also well-known for their generosity towards the guests.

7. Hunza Valley

This valley is rightly called the tourism queen of Gilgit Baltistan with vast development and facilities. The Hunza is positioned in the great northern part of Pakistan, neighboring with the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan and the Xinjiang area of China. Elevation of the valley is 4135 meters with global coordinates of 36°22′12″ N and 74°39′28″ E. The home languages spoken comprise Burushaski, Wakhi and Shina. The literacy rate of the Hunza valley is supposed to be more than 90 percent. This high literacy rate and the entire development of the valley bears the credit of Agha Trust and Agha Foundation. The Agha Khan Foundation has spread a network of hospitals and schools in the area. The valley of Hunza is at a driving distance of 100 km from Gilgit city along the Karakoram Highway. Historical Ganish Village, Altit Fort, Baltit Fort and Rakaposhi Viewpoint are the most attractive spots for the sightseers. Tourism starts and ends here in Gilgit Baltistan. Hunza Valley depicts its peculiar magnetism for the tourists on almost all the tour packages in Gilgit Baltistan.

 

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8. Khaplu Valley

At the elevation of 8533 feet above the sea level, the renowned valley of Khaplu stretches at the convergence of the Indus and the Shyok rivers. On the global maps, the valley keeps coordinates of 35°10′15″ N and 76°20′13° E. the valley of Khaplu is administration center of Ghanche District, Baltistan. It is a wide and graceful location at a distance of 103 kilometers in the east of Skardu city. Many famous mountain peaks such as Masherbrum, K-6, K-7, Sherpi Kangh, Sia Kangri and Sachen etc. are located around the valley of Khaplu. Hence the valley is attractive for the mountaineering expeditions. Khaplu Valley has many names like “Shyok Valley,” “Ghangche” and “Little Tibet.” In the skirts of  Khaplu there are many historical places. Among these are seven years old built Chaqchan Mosque, splendid Tibetan Raja Palace and Khaplu Khanqah of Mir Mukhtar Akhyar. The views and spectacles of the valley are marvelous to visit and worthy to be kept in memories.

9. Khunjerab Pass

At the extreme altitude of 15400 feet from the sea level, Khunjerab Pass is a meeting marvelous on the friendship border of China and Pakistan. the global coordinates of the area are 36°51′07″ N and 75°25′40″ E. It is a high mountainous pass in the great Karakoram Mountains on a tactical position on the northern border of the Pakistani section of Hunza Nagar District and on the southwest border of the Xinjiang area of China. The roadway across the pass was completed in 1982, and has superseded the unpaved Mintaka and Kilik Passes as the primary passageways athwart the Karakoram Range. Now the Pass has received more importance due to China Pakistan Economic Corridor. It is the historic pass among the deep friendly countries of China and Pakistan. Tourists come daily on the pass to see its high caps and precious natural environment. This is the tourism magnetized place on tour packages with many of its attractive features and postures of worthy consideration.

10. Manthokha Waterfall

With a slant height of about 190 feet, Manthokha Waterfall sparks its beauty in the Khamang Valley of Skardu. The waterfall is a spiritualist place featuring prosperous green regions, spanking new streams and some very stirring restaurants and a lot more. The main emphasize of the restaurant is the local trout fish, distant from the waterfall another worthy achievement is the fish farm where trout fishes are reserved for the sightseers. The waterfall is located on the passage of Indus River. The majestic spectacles of the waterfall fascinate the visitors a lot. It is a nice position to hang out with family and friends. It provides you option to stand and have a quick shower with the generous falling all over there. The grassy plains and meadows all around the waterfall give splendid chance of walking and talking with friends and family. This is really a gift of nature in the skirts of Khamang in Skardu..

11. Naltar Valley

At an altitude of 4543 feet and having global coordinates of ‎36°06′23″N 74°11′45″E, Naltar is a valley in Gilgit–Baltistan. Naltar is 41 km from Gilgit and can be arrived at by jeeps. Naltar is a pines dense forested village recognized for its wildlife and wonderful mountain scenery. There are also the ski lifts under the ‘Ski Federation of Pakistan’. Public traffic is accessible from Gilgit to Naltar but only during an explicit time after which one has to make his own arrangement. In recent times, government has built an 18 MW hydropower plant. This plant suffices the needs of Naltar and the adjascent areas up to Gilgit. Naltar Bala and Naltar Pain are two villages of Naltar valley with a separation of 34 km. There are three lakes in the Naltar valley known as ‘Bashkiri Lakes’ at a distance of 13 kilometers from Naltar Bala. These lakes can be traced on the tour packages in Gilgit Baltistan. The road from village to the lakes is rough and contracted alongside a stream all through this road approaching from the mountains.

12. Shangrila Resort

In the town of Skardu, there is a special club based hotel of magnificent importance known as Shangrila Hotel or Shangrila Resort. The natural water pools, lush green patches, pine forests and the soaring specs of clouds make the place really a heaven on the earth. The scenic glory of the hotel and the areas around there turn the place into a great attraction for the sightseers. The surface elevation of the resort is 2499 meters from the sea level. There is also a fine lake attached to the resort.this is Lower Kachura Lake which is also known as Shangrila Lake situated in Kachura village at a distance of 20 minutes from Skardu city. The lake is also known as Shangrila Lake after a resort built on its bank in 1983.  Shangrila Resort Hotel was founded by the late Brig.(Retd) Muhammad Aslam Khan, the first commander of the Northern Scouts who freed the Northern areas in 1948. The dinning and lodges at Shangrila are costly but unforgettable. The marvelous resort represents a glmpse guise of Gilgit and Baltistan for tourists.

13. Shigar Valley

At an altitude of from the sea level, Shigar Valley widens about 170 km from Skardu to Askole and is the entry to the high mountain ranges of Karakoram.  The valley possess global coordinates of 35°25′32″N 75°48′56″E, The town of Shigar is the largest settling arrangement in the valley. Even though the Shigar Valley is a distant and mainly unreachable position, yet there are numerous tourism worthy villages in the valley. Askole is the final settlement in the Shigar Valley which is still remote from the high mountains. Shigar was previously an managerial sub-division of Skardu District, but is now a district in its own name. The best and beautiful places to visit in Shigar valley are Blind Lake of Shigar, Shigar River, Shigar Fort, Ambrique Mosque, K2 Base Camp and Baltoro Glacier. All of these places are worthy for the tourists coming in the areas. The shining beauty of the valley is a great source of pleasure and enchantment for the visitors depicted on the tour packages in Gilgit Baltistan.

14. Skardu Valley

Bearing the global measures of 35°17′25″N and 75°38′40″E, Skardu is a city in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan, and it serves as the capital of Skardu District. Skardu is located in the 10 kilometres wide by 40 kilometres long Skardu Valley, at the convergence of the Indus and Shigar Rivers at an average elevation of nearly 2,500 metres. The city is an imperative gateway to the eight-thousand meters high peaks of Karakoram Mountain range. The city is situated on the Indus River, which divides the Karakoram Range from the Himalayas. The weather of Skardu during the summer is restrained by its mountain location; the forceful heat of flat Pakistan does not attain it. The mountains obstruct out the summer monsoon, and summer rainfall is thus moderately low. Skardu, all along with Gilgit, is a chief tourism, hiking and expedition center in Gilgit–Baltistan on all the tour packages for the area. The city of Skardu receives a large flow of the visitors and the mountaineers throughout the year from Pakistan and abroad.