My Experience of Northern Area Tour

 

My dearest friend Minaz Punja visited me in Pakistan during his vacation, we planned 7 days tour of Northern Pakistan. We visited Islamabad, Gilgit and Hunza. These cities are accessible by Karakoram Highway or Silk Road passing through Karakoram Mountains.

 

In Turkish language Karakoram means "black" this excellent and impressive set of dark brown and black variety of rocks in very rare mountain range. It houses the largest collection of very high pinnacles and mountains in the world stretched for 400 km. This concentration has 250 km., depth. It is surrounded by Shyok River in the East and Karamber, Ishkuman and Gilgit Rivers in the West. Then it is surrounded by the Shaksgan River in the North East and by Shyok and the Indus Rivers in the South West. Karakoram has special significance for its fractured rocks, guarding vertical characteristics and very sharp angled slopes offering great challenge to mountaineers and adventure lovers. Four summits above 8000 meters i.e., K-2, Gasherbrum I and II as well as Broad Peak exist in Karakoram in an area of only 20 km encircling the reputed glacial junction - Concordia. Boltoro, Soltoro, Lupghar, Khunjerab, Panmah, Aghil, Masherbrum, Saser, Hispar, Siachin, Rino, Batura, Rakaposhi/Bagrot and Haramosh are the sub-regions of the Karakoram. This region has variable snow line ranging between 4200 to 4500 meters during the summer season. The temperatures in the area are extremely varied with large difference between lowest and highest mercury in a day. There is no penetration of Monsoons (rainy season) in this area. From May till end of September, each year is the most viable season to go for climbing in Karakoram. However climbing during winter is possible. Apart from towering mountains, Karakoram house largest glaciers beyond the polar regions.

 

               

 

On our way to Gilgit we also saw a place/point where three mighty mountain range meet. These three mountain ranges are Karakoram, Hindukush and Himalayas. After over night stay in Chilas we were heading towards Hunza on our way we encountered big land slide, road was closed for traffic and we where stranded for 36 hours on road. I will separately narrate my experience of spending this 36 hours on road. We reached Hunza (Karimabad) in the evening.

 

Next day morning we visited Altit and Baltit Fort, unfortunately, Altit fort was closed for renovation. Baltit fort was restored by Aga Khan Heritage Foundation and now open for visitors. Afternoon we took Jeep Safari for Upper Hunza and visited Gulmit, Passu and Sust.

 

                                                         

 

Hunza is known for its breath-taking mountain vistas. Snow-capped Rakaposhi (7788m), and Ultar (7388m) dominate the valley, and the village, and the villages of Karimabad and Gulmit are the prettiest in this former kingdom. Nestled close to China and the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan, the entire valley is of great strategic importance. Hunzakurts have historically taken advantage of their strategically placement, and used to waylay without discrimination all manners of caravans plying on the trade routes to and from China. In fact, their legendary toughness has contributed to the myth that the Hunzakurts routinely live to be 120 years old! However, their strength and ruggedness is belied by their gentle, warm and hospitable character. It is the serene environment, coupled with the joie de vivre of the Hunzakurts, our trip to Hunza was memory of lifetime.

 

 

 

GilGit

 

Evening we drove back to Gilgit and attended JK. Gilgit is an ancient trading post, whose bustling bazaar has been a caravanserai for many of the traders of the silk road.

With the opening of the Karakoram Highway leading to China, the population of Gilgit has increased manifold; however, its dusty, old-world ambience remains largely unaffected by the large numbers of fortune seekers, traders, ambassadors, and tourists that seasonally swell the town. Dominated by the 6134m Domani Peak, the city is encircled by featureless, brown and black coloured `hills' ranging up to 4500m high. The local population has made an effort to turn this dusty bowl of a city into an oasis, and one will see patches of green, terraced fields, interspersed with orchards of apricot, cherry and apple.

 

            

We left Gilgit next morning. Night stay was in Bisham Town. Sunday being last day of our adventurous tour we decided to drive through scenic Nathiagali and Murree Hills. On our way back we saw Didar Mubarak written on the slope of mountain.

The most centrally placed and the most well known of the Galis is Nathiagali. It lies mid-way between Murree and Abbottabad, at an altitude of 8,350 f / 2545m and commands a fine view of the snow-capped peaks of Kashmir and Kohistan on one side and the Pothwar Plain on the other. In the foreground, to the north-east rise the green slopes of Miran Jani, about 9,000 f / 2743m while in the far distance , on a clear day, may be seen the towering heights of the Nanga Parbat, with all its snow-crowed majesty.

 With its fascinating landscape, refreshing walks, bracing climate, beautiful ridges thickly covered with pine, chestnut, oak and maple, and above all, its quiet, calm and serene atmosphere, Nathiagali is one of the most beautiful hill resort in the country.

We had Lunch in Nathiagali before starting descend to Islamabad.