Northern Areas
The Northern Areas are the most spectacular and fascinating region of Pakistan. The three world’s famous mountain ranges meet here — the Himalayas, the Karakorams and the Hindukush.
The historic Karakoram Pass (5,575 meters), an ancient trading route between the Northern Pakistan and Xinjiang, China, gives its name to the range, which forms the watershed between the Indus and the Central Asian deserts.
BALTISTAN
SKARDU
Skardu is the capital of Baltistan. The Balti people are a mixture of Tibetan and Caucasian stock and speak Balti, an ancient form of Tibetan. Due to the similarity of its culture, lifestyle and architecture with Tibet, Baltistan is also known as the «Tibet-e-Khurd» (Little Tibet).
The tourist season in Baltistan lasts from April to October. The maximum temperature here is 27 °C and minimum — in October -8 °C.
The five valleys of Baltistan — Shigar, Skardu, Khaplu, Rondu and Kharmang — are famous for their luscious peaches, apricots, apples, and pears.
GILGIT
Situated at an elevation of 1,454 metres along the banks of Gilgit River, a quaint little town of Gilgit has spectacular scenic beauty. For centuries, it had been the capital of various dynasties. Its history goes well beyond the 6th century AD.
What to see?
Gilgit Bridge is a bridge over the fast-flowing Gilgit River. This is one of the largest suspension bridges in South Asia (182 metres long and 2 metres wide) allowing enough space for one jeep at a time to cross.
A beautiful standing Buddha figure (locally known as «Yashini») is carved on a rock near KargahNullah), 10 km from Gilgit town. It dates back to the 7th century AD.
Remains of a Buddhist monastery and stupas of the 6th century AD were discovered in 1938 and 1956 near Nurpur. There are also ancient rock carvings of animals near the Karakorum University and inscriptions near Danyore.
Built in 1962, Independence Monument is a tribute to the heroes of the liberation movement of 1947–48. A victory monument of Taj Mughal, built 700 years ago, as a reminder of Taj-ud-Din Mughal, a ruler who came to Gilgit Baltistan during the 13th century, AD, is 30 km jeep drive from Gilgit town.
Sher Qila (Lion’s Fort), situated 38 km west of Gilgit, was once the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Punial. It has a polo ground, an old carved wooden mosque and a 150-year-old watchtower, crowned with a pair of Ibex horns.
Gahkuch Headquarters of Ghizer District is an ideal place for trekking, fishing and duck shooting.
Yasin, the main town of the Yasin Valley, 112 km west of Gilgit, is located at the altitude of 2,750 m above sea level. People of Yasin speak Brushisky and Khowar languages. Until the 20th century, Yasin was an important kingdom controlling the shortest and easiest route between the Oxus and the Indus rivers.
HUNZA
The visitors to Hunza are overwhelmed by the rugged charm, the fragrant breeze singing through graceful Poplar trees and the velvet-like green carpet of wheat fields, set against the background of snow-covered, mountains.
The majority of the Hunza people are Ismaili Muslims, followers of His Highness the Aga Khan. The local language is Brushiski, however, Urdu and English are also understood by most of the people.
CHITRAL VALLEY
Situated at an average altitude of 1.128 m, Chitral valley is favourite among mountaineers, trekkers, anglers, hunters and anthropologists. Chitral district has Afghanistan on its north, south, and west. A narrow strip of Afghan territory, (Wakhan) separates it from Tajikistan.
SWAT VALLEY
The lush green valley of Swat, with its rushing torrents, icy-cold lakes, fruit-laden orchards, and flower-decked slopes is ideal for holidaymakers.
It has a rich historical past, too. This is the land of enthralling beauty, where Alexander of Macedonia fought and won some of his major battles before crossing over to the delta of Indus River.
It was the home of the famous Gandhara School of Sculpture that was an expression of Greco-Roman form in the local Buddhist tradition.
Swat is was also the historical land, where the Muslim conquerors, Mahmud of Ghazni, Babur of Ferghana and Akbar fought their battles preparatory to the conquest of South Asia.
AZAD JAMMU & KASHMIR
Azad Jammu & Kashmir is a land of fascinating people, languages & culture. Its population is composed of different races claiming their descent from Semitic, Mongoloid, Aryans, Persians, Turks & Arabs, speaking different languages like Kashmiri, Pahari, Gojri, Punjabi, and Pushto.
